Astra Defines a Large, Drill-Ready High Sulphidation Gold Target at Don Mario in Chile
Astra defines a health, safety and environment target for the Don Mario project ahead of a planned 2,500-metre drilling program in Chile during the first quarter of 2027.
Astra Exploration Inc. has released results from a low-cost exploration program at its Don Mario high-sulphidation epithermal gold project in Chile. The initiative combined geological mapping, geochemical sampling, and CS-NSAMT geophysics to identify a 2km x 1km gold-silver anomaly and distinct alteration zones within a larger lithocap.
Geochemical sampling returned surface anomalies up to 0.2 g/t Au and 2.0 g/t Ag, with rock-chip samples reaching up to 1.35 g/t Au. Geophysical data identified a shallow high-resistivity anomaly measuring 200–400m thick, as well as a deeper resistive structure extending approximately 1,000m below the surface.
Historical drilling conducted by previous operators was shallow, located east of the current focus area, and remains unverified by Astra. To test these newly defined targets, the company plans a fully-funded drill program of 2,000–3,000 metres, targeting approximately 2,500m, starting in Q1 2027.
Astra Exploration Inc. (ASTR) released results representing an expected, incremental step in the exploration cycle for the Don Mario project, following the June 2026 targeting update. The announcement confirms management's capital allocation toward advancing the Chilean asset alongside the Argentine La Manchuria project. The release does not introduce new financial data, change the near-term cash burn profile, or alter the company's going concern status.
Astra Exploration Inc. (ASTR) is a junior exploration company focused on gold and silver projects in Argentina and Chile. Its flagship asset is the La Manchuria project in Argentina, a high-grade, low-sulphidation epithermal gold-silver system located in the Deseado Massif. The company holds an 80% interest in La Manchuria, having exercised its first earn-in from Patagonia Gold. Phase III drilling, totaling 5,176 meters, has been completed, with results revealing high-grade intercepts and significant step-outs.
The company also operates the Don Mario project in Chile, a high-sulphidation epithermal target within the Maricunga Belt. Recent targeting work has defined a large, drill-ready anomaly, with a 2,000–3,000-meter program planned for the first quarter of 2027.
Astra Exploration Inc. is currently in the pre-resource/exploration stage. The company generates no revenue and relies entirely on equity financing to fund its operations.