Estrella Resources has unveiled a massive maiden resource at its Werumata limestone project in Timor-Leste, tabling a 621-million-tonne inferred resource. The deposit, located 170 kilometres east-northeast of the capital Dili, is a significant find with multiple product streams.
High-grade core and product diversity
The resource includes a high-grade core of 493 million tonnes suitable for acid neutralisation, averaging 83.2 per cent acid neutralisation capacity. Additionally, 33 million tonnes of lower-grade limestone for industrial uses such as concrete and cement, and 95 million tonnes of high-silica material for road base and construction aggregate have been defined.
Simple geology, low-cost potential
The deposit comprises two flat-lying limestone formations: Baucau limestone and Batu Putih chalk, pointing to a low-cost open-cut mining operation. All three products are direct-shipping ores, requiring only simple crushing and screening.
The Werumata project sits within a 4,990-hectare concession in Lautém municipality, accessible by sealed roads. Management has flagged export potential via coastal shipping.
Growth upside and manganese project
Drilling has only tested a small portion near the western boundary, with limestone formations extending over six kilometres to the east. Managing Director Chris Daws said the maiden resource is an exceptional starting point with substantial upside.
Beyond limestone, Estrella is focused on bulk extraction at its Ira Miri manganese project, also in Timor-Leste. The company recently lifted over 27,000 tonnes of ore, including a 4,984-tonne parcel grading 49.38 per cent manganese, with in-situ grades up to 60.22 per cent.
With a resource exceeding 600 million tonnes and simple processing characteristics, Estrella appears poised for further growth.
