Astral Resources presents a compelling investment case as an ASX-listed gold explorer with a 1.46 Moz resource base in Western Australia's premier Kalgoorlie region, anchored by its flagship Mandilla project which demonstrates robust economics with an AU$442 million NPV and 11-year mine life.
Astral Resources (ASX:AAR) is a gold mineral exploration company with three gold projects in tier 1 mining jurisdictions of Western Australia. The three assets are the Mandilla gold project, the Feysville gold project, and the Carnilya Hill gold project. The flagship and 100 percent owned Mandilla gold project has a mineral resource containing 1.27 million ounces (Moz) of contained gold. The other key project, 100 percent owned Feysville, hosts an updated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) of 5.0 Mt at 1.2g/t gold for 196 koz of contained gold . Feysville could potentially become a satellite source of high-grade ore feed for the flagship Mandilla gold project.
The scoping study completed at Mandilla unveils robust project economics. The cornerstone of the scoping study is the Theia deposit, which alone accounts for 81 percent of the total Mandilla mineral resource estimate. The deposit hosts a mineral resource estimate of 29 Mt at 1.1 g/t gold for 1.02 Moz of contained gold in one large open pit. The scoping study indicates a mine life of 11 years with an annual production of 100,000 oz in the first seven and a half years, dropping to 41,000 oz for the remaining three and a half years. The study outlines compelling financial metrics, including NPV@8 percent of AU$442 million, free cash flow of AU$740 million, and a payback period of nine months.
Astral benefits from a team of professionals boasting extensive expertise in geology and mining.
The company is led by managing director Marc Ducler, who has more than two decades of experience in the mining industry. The management team has a proven track record of executing several successful exploration and development projects, as well as M&A.
The Mandilla gold project is located within the northern region of the Widgiemooltha greenstone belt, approximately 70 kilometers to the south of the prominent mining hub of Kalgoorlie, Western Australia. Mandilla includes four deposits namely, Theia, Iris, Eos and Hestia. The cornerstone of the project is the Theia deposit, constituting 81 percent of Mandilla's resources, totaling 29 Mt at a grade of 1.1 g/t gold, amounting to 1.02 Moz of contained gold in a single open pit. Mandilla has a total mineral resource estimate of 37 Mt at 1.1 g/t gold for 1.27 Moz.
The scoping study indicates a mine life of 11 years with an annual production of 100,000 oz in the first seven and a half years, dropping to 41,000 oz for the remaining three and a half years. Astral estimates the pre-production capital spend at AU$191 million, and the project is anticipated to generate a free cash flow of AU$740 million (assuming a gold price of A$2,750/oz). The project’s NPV @8 percent is estimated at AU$442 million, and the IRR at 73 percent.
Drill collars at Theia deposit
Astral continues to advance exploration and resource expansion efforts at Mandilla. The company recently completed a four-hole 1,762-metre in-fill diamond drilling program at the Theia deposit late last year. Best results included: 28 metres at 2.63 g/t gold, 15.5 metres at 1.81 g/t gold, 9.6 metres at 27.6 g/t gold, 2.4 metres at 169.1 g/t gold, 24.9 metres at 4.14 g/t gold and 72.2 metres at 1.15 g/t gold.
Astral has commenced work on a pre-feasibility study at Mandilla, which is due in the June quarter 2025.
The Feysville project is situated in Australia's premier gold belt, merely 14 km south of the Golden Mile deposit, which boasts 70 million ounces, located in Kalgoorlie. The project's updated JORC 2012 MRE indicates 5.0 Mt at 1.2 g/t gold for 196 koz of contained gold. Including the Mandilla MRE of 37 Mt at 1.1 g/t gold for 1.27 Moz of contained gold, Astral’s total gold MRE is now calculated to be 42 Mt at 1.1 g/t gold for 1.46 Moz of contained gold (group MRE).
At Feysville, Astral is focusing on the high-grade Kamperman prospect. A recent 31-hole (3,834 m) reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at Kamperman returned encouraging assay results. The latest drilling program returned best assay results of 33 metres at 3.75 g/t gold, 22 metres at 5.21 g/t gold, and 22 metres at 4.44 g/t gold. This high success rate continues to indicate that Kamperman has the potential to be a substantial source of high-grade satellite ore for the Mandilla processing plant.
Mark Connelly is a mining industry veteran who has held positions of CEO and managing director with several multinational companies across many jurisdictions, including Australia, North America, South America, Africa and Europe. He has a proven track record in deal making and was principally responsible for the merger of Papillon Resources and B2 Gold Corp in October 2014 (value US$570 million), as well as the key person responsible for the merger of Adamus Resources and Endeavour Mining for US$579 million. He is currently the non-executive chair of Calidus Resources, Omnia Metals Group, Alto Metals, Warriedar Resources and Nickel Search.
Marc Ducler has more than 20 years of experience in the mining industry. He has held senior operational management roles with GoldFields, BHP, Fortescue Metals, MRL and Roy Hill. He was also the managing director of Egan Street Resources (a gold exploration and development company) until it was acquired by Silver Lake Resources (ASX:SLR).
Peter Stern has experience in corporate advisory, specializing in M&A and capital raising. He has spent six years with Macquarie Bank and three years with UBS and Deutsche Bank. He is a graduate of Monash University with a Bachelor of Science (geology major). Stern is a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the chairman of Troy Resources.
David Varcoe is a mining engineer with over three decades of experience. He has extensive operational and managerial experience across various commodities, including gold, iron ore, copper, diamonds, coal, uranium and rare earths. His expertise spans board positions, operations management, project management and consulting. Varcoe is a principal consultant with the leading Australian firm AMC Consulting.
Justin Osborne is a geologist with over 30 years of experience in exploration. He was previously the executive director at Gold Road Resources (ASX:GOR), where he played a crucial role in developing the world-class Gruyere gold deposit (6.6 Moz gold). Osborne also held senior positions on the exploration executive team at Gold Fields. He was instrumental in developing the Damang Superpit project in Ghana and achieved significant discovery success at the St Ives gold mine.
Brendon Morton has over 20 years of experience, particularly in the global resources sector across Australia, Africa and Asia. He has held several executive financial and company secretarial roles with ASX-listed and unlisted companies in the resources industry.
Steve Lampron is a mining engineer with more than 20 years industry experience. As well as having worked in production roles for companies such as Placer Dome, Barrick and North American Palladium he has also worked as a Consultant for over 10 years.
Julie Reid has 36 years of experience working across Australia, Vietnam and Indonesia, covering a variety of commodities in diverse geological terrains. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Science from Curtin University of Technology.
Gold exploration with highly prospective assets in Western Australia
NevGold Corp. (“NevGold” or the “Company”) (TSXV:NAU) (OTCQX:NAUFF) (Frankfurt:5E50) is pleased to announce that it has discovered further significant oxide gold-antimony (“Antimony”, “Sb”) drill results at its Limousine Butte Project (the “Project”, “Limo Butte”) in Nevada. The Company continues to unlock the substantial gold-antimony potential of the Project, highlighting its promising prospects for further exploration and development in Nevada, one of the world’s prolific mining jurisdictions.
Key Highlights
Limo Butte Planned 2025 Activities / Status Update
NevGold will continue its active exploration program at Limo Butte including:
Figure 1 – Limousine Butte Gold-Antimony Project with selected gold-antimony drillhole results.
To view image please click here
Figure 2 – Limousine Butte Gold-Antimony Project cross-section with selected gold-antimony drillhole results. Thin colored discs show Antimony (Sb ppm) in drilling, and wide colored discs show Gold (Au ppm) in drilling.
To view image please click here
Figure 3 – Limousine Butte Gold-Antimony Project with selected gold-antimony drillhole results.
To view image please click here
NevGold CEO, Brandon Bonifacio, comments: “The discovery of more significant oxide gold-antimony drill results at Resurrection Ridge continues to be a key development at our emerging Limo Butte oxide gold-antimony project. Drillholes at Resurrection Ridge have been drilled with spacing showing strong potential to advance the target area to an initial Mineral Resource Estimate (“MRE”). We have now defined two large mineralization footprints at both Resurrection Ridge and Cadillac Valley, and the oxide gold-antimony grades, near-surface mineralization, and hole thickness highlight the significant gold-antimony opportunity at the Project. As we have stated in previous news releases, we continue to analyze and re-assay holes from both Resurrection Ridge and Cadillac Valley and we still have a number of holes to release with combined gold-antimony results. To date, we have released a total of 15 holes, and we will have frequent updates as we receive further assays from the lab. The timing and market conditions continue to improve, and this is an optimal environment to advance the gold-antimony potential at Limo Butte as there is a clear commitment from the United States to advance high-quality, domestic, mineral projects.”
Historical and Re-Assayed Drill Results
| Hole ID | Length, m* | g/t Au | % Sb | g/t AuEq** | From, m | To, m |
| Resurrection Ridge | ||||||
| LB023 | 67.1 | 1.30 | 0.18% | 2.11 | 24.4 | 91.5 |
| including | 30.5 | 2.79 | 0.33% | 4.29 | 30.5 | 61.0 |
| also including | 16.8 | 5.05 | 0.46% | 7.12 | 42.7 | 59.4 |
| LB029 | 79.3 | 0.53 | 0.14% | 1.16 | 122.0 | 201.2 |
| including | 18.3 | 0.52 | 0.30% | 1.86 | 128.0 | 146.3 |
| LB013 | 49.7 | 0.15 | 0.26% | 1.29 | 30.8 | 80.5 |
| LB21-005 | 79.2 | 0.22 | 0.08% | 0.56 | 64.5 | 143.7 |
| including | 8.6 | 0.59 | 0.46% | 2.66 | 65.5 | 74.1 |
| LB006*** | 86.9 | 1.11 | 0.30% | 2.46 | 36.6 | 123.4 |
| including | 12.8 | 1.83 | 0.87% | 5.75 | 79.2 | 92.0 |
| also including | 6.7 | 2.29 | +1%**** | 6.77 | 85.3 | 92.0 |
| LB001*** | 63.9 | 0.21 | 0.33% | 1.69 | 13.1 | 77.0 |
| including | 17.7 | 0.38 | 0.83% | 4.10 | 55.2 | 72.8 |
| also including | 6.4 | 0.16 | +1%**** | 4.64 | 55.2 | 61.6 |
| LB003*** | 22.3 | 2.26 | 0.32% | 3.69 | 67.1 | 89.3 |
| including | 7.9 | 5.97 | 0.57% | 8.55 | 81.4 | 89.3 |
| LB004*** | 110.4 | 0.19 | 0.12% | 0.73 | 0.0 | 110.4 |
| including | 36.6 | 0.24 | 0.21% | 1.16 | 6.7 | 43.3 |
| LIM-40*** | 54.9 | 1.20 | 0.64% | 4.07 | 18.3 | 73.2 |
| including | 12.2 | 2.12 | +1%**** | 6.60 | 48.8 | 61.0 |
| LIM-45*** | 36.6 | 1.23 | 0.40% | 3.02 | 24.4 | 61.0 |
| including | 12.2 | 0.35 | +1%**** | 4.83 | 36.6 | 48.8 |
| LIM-48*** | 61.0 | 0.77 | 0.41% | 2.61 | 24.4 | 85.4 |
| including | 24.4 | 0.37 | 0.77% | 3.82 | 48.8 | 73.2 |
| Hole ID | Length, m* | g/t Au | % Sb | g/t AuEq** | From, m | To, m |
| Cadillac Valley | ||||||
| LB22-007*** | 169.2 | 0.89 | 0.18% | 1.70 | 213.5 | 382.7 |
| including | 54.4 | 2.26 | 0.13% | 2.85 | 213.5 | 267.9 |
| also including | 3.10 | 0.76 | 2.76% | 13.15 | 259.2 | 267.9 |
| LB22-006*** | 124.7 | 0.84 | 0.11% | 1.34 | 127.4 | 252.1 |
| including | 24.3 | 1.32 | 0.20% | 2.23 | 160.6 | 184.9 |
| LB22-019*** | 28.9 | 1.09 | 0.04% | 1.27 | 170.7 | 199.6 |
| LB054*** | 12.2 | 0.42 | 0.08% | 0.79 | 12.2 | 24.4 |
*Downhole thickness reported; true width varies depending on drill hole dip and is approximately 70% to 90% of downhole thickness.
**The gold equivalents (“AuEq”) are based on assumed metals prices of US$2,000/oz of gold and US$35,000 per tonne of antimony (~30% discount to current spot prices), and assumed metals recoveries of 85% for gold and 70% for antimony.
***Selected drillholes released in previous News Releases on February 27, 2025, March 26, 2025, and April 10, 2025.
**** Historical drilling had an upper detection limit of 1% Sb but many drill intervals exceeded the limit.
Limo Butte Geology & Antimony Potential
A review of historical geochemical and drilling data at the Limousine Butte Project has identified multiple areas with strong gold-antimony potential. These zones correlate closely with outcrops of the Devonian Pilot Shale, the primary host rock for Carlin-type gold mineralization in the area. Positive gold grade at Limousine Butte is typically associated with silicification and the formation of jasperoid breccias within the Pilot Shale, an alteration feature also observed in the positive antimony results.
Through the Project data review, the Company uncovered reports detailing two small-scale historic mining operations at the Nevada Antimony Mine and Lage Antimony Prospect within the Limo Butte Project boundary. The Nevada Antimony Mine featured two prospect pits that extracted stibnite (formula: Sb2S3) from a hydrothermal breccia. The Lage Antimony Prospect reported historical unverified sampling results with up to 14.46% Antimony with additional prospect pits extracting antimony.
Historical geochemical rock chip sampling within the past-producing Golden Butte pit from a Brigham Young University (“BYU”) Thesis study produced numerous results that exceeded 1% antimony in jasperoid breccias (see Figure 1). Several results were greater then 5% antimony, including a sample of 9.6% antimony with visible stibnite and stibiconite. BYU Thesis Report
NevGold VP Exploration, Greg French, comments: “The re-assay program continues to produce positive gold-antimony results. The gold-antimony mineralization in the northwest-southeast direction at Resurrection Ridge extends approximately 500 meters (Figure 2) and remains open to the east. Previous geological models have interpreted the dolomite cover to be the base unit that is below mineralization. Re-logging drill holes and the outcroppings to the east indicate that the dolomite cover is actually a thrust plate over the host Pilot Shale unit, expanding the prospective target area. We have currently defined over 5 km of strike length between Resurrection Ridge and Cadillac Valley, and we will continue to analyze the data from both of these target areas to incorporate results in the planning for the next drill program and metallurgical test work.”
Figure 4 – Limousine Butte Project with historical antimony in rock chips and soils. The total strike length between Resurrection Ridge and Cadillac Valley is +5km. To view image please click here
US Executive Order – Announced March 20, 2025
The Company is pleased to report the recent, sweeping Executive Order to strengthen American mineral production and reduce U.S. reliance on foreign nations for its mineral supply. Antimony (Sb) has been identified as an important “Critical Mineral” in the United States essential for national security, clean energy, and technology applications, yet no domestically mined supply currently exists.
The Executive Order invokes the use of the Defense Production Act as part of a broad United States (“US”) Government effort to expand domestic minerals production on national security grounds. As it relates to project permitting, the Order states that it will "identify priority projects that can be immediately approved or for which permits can be immediately issued, and take all necessary or appropriate actions…to expedite and issue the relevant permits or approvals." Furthermore, the Order includes provisions to accelerate access to private and public capital for domestic projects, including the creation of a "dedicated mineral and mineral production fund for domestic investments" under the Development Finance Corporation ("DFC").
This decisive action by the US Government highlights the urgent need to expand domestic minerals output to support supply chain security in the United States. This important Order will help revitalize domestic mineral production by improving the permitting process and providing financial support to qualifying domestic projects.
Importance of Antimony
Antimony is considered a “Critical Mineral” by the United States based on the U.S. Geological Survey’s 2022 list (U.S.G.S. (2022)). “Critical Minerals” are metals and non-metals essential to the economy and national security. Antimony is utilized in all manners of military applications, including the manufacturing of armor piercing bullets, night vision goggles, infrared sensors, precision optics, laser sighting, explosive formulations, hardened lead for bullets and shrapnel, ammunition primers, tracer ammunition, nuclear weapons and production, tritium production, flares, military clothing, and communication equipment. Other uses include technology (semi-conductors, circuit boards, electric switches, fluorescent lighting, high quality clear glass and lithium-ion batteries) and clean-energy storage.
Globally, approximately 90% of the world’s current antimony supply is produced by China, Russia, and Tajikistan. Beginning on September 15, 2024, China, which is responsible for nearly half of all global mined antimony output and dominates global refinement and processing, announced that it will restrict antimony exports. In December-2024, China explicitly restricted antimony exports to the United States citing its dual military and civilian uses, which further exacerbated global supply chain concerns. (Lv, A. and Munroe, T. (2024)) The U.S. Department of Defense (“DOD”) has designated antimony as a “Critical Mineral” due to its importance in national security, and governments are now prioritizing domestic production to mitigate supply chain disruptions. Projects exploring antimony sources in North America play a key role in addressing these challenges.
Perpetua Resources Corp. (“Perpetua”, NASDAQ:PPTA, TSX:PPTA) has the most advanced domestic gold-antimony project in the United States. Perpetua’s project, known as Stibnite, is located in Idaho approximately 130 km northeast of NevGold’s Nutmeg Mountain and Zeus projects. Positive advancements at Stibnite including the technical development and permitting has led to US$75 million in Department of Defense (“DOD”) awards, and over $1.8 billion in indicative financing from the Export Import Bank of the United States (“US EXIM”) (see Perpetua Resources News Release from April 8, 2024) (Perpetua Resources. (2025))
Drillhole Orientation Details
| Hole ID | Target Zone | Easting | Northing | Elevation (m) | Length (m) | Azimuth | Dip |
| LB023 | Resurrection Ridge | 667143 | 4417273 | 2174 | 187 | 70 | -60 |
| LB029 | Resurrection Ridge | 667128 | 4417307 | 2162 | 237.7 | 0 | -90 |
| LB013 | Resurrection Ridge | 667142 | 4417273 | 2177 | 164.7 | 90 | -50 |
| LB21-005 | Resurrection Ridge | 667279 | 4417487 | 2179 | 253.8 | 0 | -90 |
| LB006 | Resurrection Ridge | 667030 | 4417384 | 2125 | 152.7 | 0 | -90 |
| LB001 | Resurrection Ridge | 667036 | 4417384 | 2125 | 77 | 0 | -90 |
| LB003 | Resurrection Ridge | 667134 | 4417528 | 2133 | 129.4 | 0 | -90 |
| LB004 | Resurrection Ridge | 667313 | 4417277 | 2239 | 198.7 | 270 | -50 |
| LIM-40 | Resurrection Ridge | 667018 | 4417409 | 2124 | 289.6 | 0 | -90 |
| LIM-45 | Resurrection Ridge | 666929 | 4417389 | 2103 | 179.8 | 0 | -90 |
| LIM-48 | Resurrection Ridge | 666927 | 4417374 | 2105 | 286.5 | 0 | -90 |
| LB22-007 | Cadillac Valley | 665211 | 4415453 | 2031 | 403.5 | 254 | -86 |
| LB22-006 | Cadillac Valley | 664692 | 4414921 | 2042 | 379.8 | 144 | -77 |
| LB22-019 | Cadillac Valley | 664433 | 4414318 | 2096 | 335.3 | 116 | -66 |
| LB054 | Cadillac Valley | 665323 | 4415090 | 2059 | 157.0 | 0 | -90 |
Figure 4 – Limousine Butte Land Holdings and District Exploration Activity To view image please click here
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
“Signed”
Brandon Bonifacio, President & CEO
For further information, please contact Brandon Bonifacio at bbonifacio@nev-gold.com, call 604-337-4997, or visit our website at www.nev-gold.com.
Historical Data Validation
NevGold QA/QC protocols are followed on the Project and include insertion of duplicate, blank and standard samples in all drill holes. A 30g gold fire assay and multi-elemental analysis ICP-OES method was completed by ISO 17025 certified American Assay Labs, Reno.
The Company’s Qualified Person (“QP”), Greg French, Vice President, Exploration has completed a review of the historical data in this press release. The historic data collection chain of custody procedures and analytical results by previous operators appear adequate and were completed to industry standard practices. For the Newmont and US Gold data a 30g gold fire assay and multi-elemental analysis ICP-OES method MS-41 was completed by ISO 17025 certified ALS Chemex, Reno or Elko Nevada.
Geochemical ICP (5g) analysis for the Wilson, Christianson and Tingey report was completed by Geochemical Services Inc. and the XRF analyses (glass disk or pellets) by Brigham Young University.
Technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Greg French, CPG, the Company’s Vice President, Exploration, who is NevGold’s Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 and responsible for technical matters of this release.
About the Company
NevGold is an exploration and development company targeting large-scale mineral systems in the proven districts of Nevada and Idaho. NevGold owns a 100% interest in the Limousine Butte and Cedar Wash gold projects in Nevada, and the Nutmeg Mountain gold project and Zeus copper project in Idaho.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on the Company’s current expectations and estimates. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as “plan”, “expect”, “project”, “intend”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “suggest”, “indicate” and other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions “may” or “will” occur. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the proposed work programs at Limousine Butte, and the exploration potential at Limousine Butte. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from estimated or anticipated events or results implied or expressed in such forward-looking statements. Such risks include, but are not limited to, general economic, market and business conditions, and the ability to obtain all necessary regulatory approvals. There is some risk that the forward-looking statements will not prove to be accurate, that the management’s assumptions may not be correct or that actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.
Freeport (NYSE: FCX) today announced that it has posted its first-quarter 2025 financial and operating results press release on the Investor Relations page of its website at https://investors.fcx.com/investors/news-releases .
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250423627211/en/
As previously indicated on its website, FCX will host a conference call today with securities analysts at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss quarterly results. The conference call will be webcast on the Internet along with slides. Interested parties may listen to the conference call live and view the slides on the Investor Relations page of FCX's website at https://investors.fcx.com/investors/presentations . A replay of the webcast will be available through Friday, May 23, 2025.
FREEPORT: Foremost in Copper
FCX is a leading international metals company with the objective of being foremost in copper. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, FCX operates large, long-lived, geographically diverse assets with significant proven and probable reserves of copper, gold and molybdenum. FCX is one of the world's largest publicly traded copper producers.
FCX's portfolio of assets includes the Grasberg minerals district in Indonesia, one of the world's largest copper and gold deposits; and significant operations in North America and South America, including the large-scale Morenci minerals district in Arizona and the Cerro Verde operation in Peru.
By supplying responsibly produced copper, FCX is proud to be a positive contributor to the world well beyond its operational boundaries. Additional information about FCX is available on FCX's website at FCX.com.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250423627211/en/
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David P. Joint
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