Astro Resources begins 2021 work programs across three key projects

Astro Resources NL (ASX:ARO) is advancing its portfolio of diverse assets over 2021 with work underway at the Needles Gold Project in Nevada, the Governor Broome Heavy Mineral Sands Project and the Kimberley Diamonds Project in Western Australia. Rork programs at the Needles Project have commenced with the company targeting a deposit similar to the nearby 15-million-ounce Kinross Gold Corporation (NYSE:KGC) (ETR:KIN2) (FRA:KIN2) (TSE:K) Round Mountain open cut mine. Needles program A second phase program of DC/IP electric and shallow seismic surveys at the Needles Project is expected to provide a better understanding of the distribution of sulphides at depth, which may be associated with a Round Mountain style deposit. A seismic survey is also underway to test central and western parts of Needles considered the most prospective, with the results expected late in this quarter. Once the results are processed in the second quarter, they will be used as a basis for target generation for an RC drilling program in Q3. The company has also acquired a detailed historic drilling and surface exploration dataset which is being analysed to augment the IP/Seismic programs in identifying 2021 drill targets. DC/IP Survey in 2018 and initiated in 2021. Governor Broome bulk test-work To date, test-work at Governor Broome has provided positive results from a 2.6-tonne bulk sample processed through the feed preparation circuit with no indication of potential issues with slimes within the mineralisation. This sample was processed using the pilot-scale conventional mineral sands processing equipment as a proxy for a full-scale feed preparation plant and Astro intends to undertake further processing to investigate separation performance over a gravity concentration circuit and subsequent production of final mineral products. The final metallurgical test-work results are anticipated in March 2021 with an updated scoping study planned in 2021 to incorporate the results from both the metallurgical test-work and increased resources. This will be followed by a bankable feasibility study at the end of the work program. Astro planned drilling with green dots proposed drill holes (tenement boundary in red (E80/4120), registered heritage sites detailed in blue). Kimberley Diamonds Project The Kimberley Diamonds Project is immediately southwest of Lake Argyle, just 20 kilometres northeast of Rio Tinto Limited’s (ASX:RIO) (OTCMKTS:RTNTF) (FRA:CRA1) AK1 diamond deposit. The company is planning a 140-hole aircore drilling program in April/May at Lower Smoke Creek to: Test the wider distribution of gravels on the palaeo-terraces at the confluence of the Smoke and Billygoat Creeks; Establish depth of wash estimated to average 5 metres (~700 metres drilled); and Bottom hole samples will be collected for geochemical purposes. A POW has been lodged, with the work program for April/May aimed at confirming the limits of distribution of palaeo gravels in the area and to quantify their thickness. A second POW is being prepared for a pitting program to be commenced in May-June and is planned to be submitted sometime in March. Subject to the completion of the drilling, a systematic pitting program will be commenced to quantify the distributions of diamonds in the wash with the pit samples (100 tonnes each) to be processed through the company’s dense media (DMS) plant.