Astra begins phase II drilling at La Manchuria

Executive Summary

• Astra Exploration Inc. has commenced Phase II drilling at its La Manchuria gold and silver project in the Deseado Massif, Argentina, following the completion of Phase I in May 2025.
• The Phase II program is fully financed with a treasury balance exceeding $7 million and targets approximately 10,000 metres of diamond drill hole (DDH) drilling.
• Phase I results revealed a larger-than-expected vein system with significant near-surface gold and silver grades, supporting a geological model of a preserved epithermal system open in all directions.

Key Details

• Drilling Program Scope: Approximately 10,000 metres of DDH drilling planned for Phase II.
• Schedule:
  • 5,000 metres expected to be completed by December 2025.
  • Remaining 5,000 metres expected in Q1 2026.
• Financial Status: The program is fully financed; the company holds a treasury balance of over $7 million.
• Phase I Context:
  • Completed in May 2025.
  • Identified a much larger vein system than previously recognized.
  • Numerous intervals of significant gold and silver grades found near surface.
  • Mineralization confirmed open in all directions, indicating a preserved epithermal system partially concealed by post-mineral volcanics.
• Geological Findings:
  • Detailed mapping identified low-temperature silica and vein fragments at surface within andesitic rocks and post-mineral breccias.
  • Favourable host rock units confirmed at depth, suggesting potential for a large, robust high-grade gold-silver epithermal system.
• Project Location: La Manchuria project is located in Santa Cruz, Argentina, in the prolific Deseado Massif. Astra holds an option to acquire a 90% interest.

Notable Quotes

• "The phase I drill program indicated that La Manchuria encompasses a much larger vein system than previously recognized, with numerous intervals of significant gold and silver grades near surface... The phase I results support Astra's geological model that mineralization is open in all directions, further indicating the presence of a preserved epithermal system partially concealed by postmineral volcanics."