Announcement PDF ASX: ESR 12 February 2025 High Grade Assays Received for New Lautém Discoveries HIGHLIGHTS ➔ Ira Miri rock chip samples return assays between 40.0% Mn and 58.6% Mn (Figure 1) ➢ Five rock chip samples were taken from around the discovery area and exported to Australia ➢ The supergene sub-crop in Figure 1 below returned an assay of 58.4% Mn ➢ Boron, phosphorus and silica levels are low ➔ In-situ supergene at the Sica Prospect returned between 46% Mn and 49.3% Mn (Figure 2) ➢ The two rock chip samples were taken from partially outcropping supergene manganese zones ➔ Sica detrital manganese systematically sampled, assays averaged 40.1% Mn (Figure 3) ➢ A further 48 large grab samples taken from the Sica valley floor detrital material to assess the grade of this material. ➔ Environmental surveys of drill locations on Exploration and Evaluation License MEL2023-CA-ZA001 are complete and applications to drill are being drafted for the relevant Government bodies. Figure 1: Estrella MD Chris Daws at the partially outcropping supergene manganese exposure at Ira Miri within concession MEL2023-CA-ZA001. Lab assays from this outcrop returned a grade of 58.4% Mn _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Office Address London House, Level 8, 216 St Georges Terrace, PERTH WA 6000 Postal Address GPO Box 2517, PERTH WA 6831 Phone +61 8 9481 0389 Fax +61 8 9463 6103 Email info@estrellaresources.com.au Estrella Resources Limited (ASX: ESR) (Estrella or the Company) is pleased to announce the return of excellent assays for the two new in-situ supergene manganese discoveries made in its Lautém Manganese Project in Timor-Leste, along with a bulk determination for the detrital material that has accumulated on the Sica valley floor. Figure 2: Estrella CEO Chris Daws at the sub-cropping supergene zone at Sica which returned an assay of 46% Mn (refer CBR114691) Figure 3: Example of detrital supergene manganese from the Sica valley floor which averaged 40.1% Mn (Table 2). The in-situ secondary supergene manganese outcrops at Ira Miri and Sica lie on either side of a river valley and are around 4.5km apart (Figure 4). The duplication of the Noni Formation, into areas previously thought to be devoid of the Noni Formation, highlights the predictive capacity of the model and opens up new areas of prospectivity which the company will now look to capitalise upon. Figure 4: Location of the Ira Miri and Sica Prospects Commenting on the new discoveries Estrella Managing Director Chris Daws said: " I am excited to share the strong progress at our Lautém Manganese Project in Timor-Leste. Recent assays from the Ira Miri discovery area and the Sica Prospect have confirmed the significant potential for high-grade manganese mineralisation, reinforcing the value of this project. We are also pleased with the systematic sampling of detrital material on the Sica valley floor, which further supports the broader manganese mineralisation across the region. These discoveries have come about through the development of Estrella’s exploration model which is now being tested and proving highly successful. Environmental surveys for drill locations are now complete, and we are in the process of submitting drilling permit applications to the relevant Government bodies. We are eager to advance the Lautém Manganese Project and unlock its full potential.” The Ira Miri (New Water) Manganese Discovery The outcrop at Ira Miri consists of the top three metres of an in-situ supergene blanket formed within the Noni Formation. The mineralisation is covered by scree from the overlying limestones, however the trend can be followed over 4 kilometres within which primary, secondary and tertiary manganese has been located (Figure 5). Whilst outcrop is limited, the identification of manganese oxide clasts in the scree at the top of the Noni Formation contact (Figure 5, CBR114685-86) suggests that secondary supergene mineralisation lies just below the surficial soil cover which is estimated to be only a few meters thick. Five samples from reconnaissance mapping were exported from Timor-Leste to Australia and submitted to ALS for geochemistry. The results, presented in Table 1 below, show the Ira Miri secondary supergene outcrops to be highly enriched in manganese and stripped of deleterious elements (samples CBR114689 and CBR114690). Both the Ira Miri secondary supergene outcrop samples exceeded 58% manganese (75% MnO) and were very low in boron, phosphorus and silica. The primary chert (the source rock for the manganese shown in Figure 5 CBR114587) grades up to 20% Mn. Estrella is exploring for the secondary enrichment zones that have formed on the top of this primary manganese source, such as the outcrop at Ira Miri. The tertiary manganese occurs as a result of the erosion of the secondary manganese and detrital deposition into current and historic valley areas. These accumulations can be significant, such as at Sica, and may well form a supplementary feed to any future mining operation. Environmental surveys have been completed in the area to accompany applications that have been submitted to Timor-Leste’s mineral resources and regulatory body (A.N.M. – Autoridade Nacional dos Minerais, I.P.) to allow access tracks to be developed ahead of the commencement of drilling. The company looks forward to the end of the wet season for drilling activities to commence and will begin the community consultation and education process as soon as possible. Assays from the rock chip samples (Figure 5) at Iri Miri are presented in Table 1 below. Figure 5: Sample photographs and locations from the Ira Miri Prospect where primary, secondary and tertiary manganese has been located over a strike length of 4 km. Estrella is targeting in-situ secondary manganese mineralisation. Assay results from rock-chip samples are presented in Table 1. Table 1: Rock chip assays from initial Ira Miri reconnaissance mapping Sample # Longitude Latitude Description Mn% Al2O3% SiO2% P2O5% B ppm CBR114685 CBR114686 126.90766 126.90768 -8.421499 -8.421498 Tertiary Manganese Tertiary Manganese 39.96 51.26 1.89 1.05 20.83 8.85 0.13 0.04 10 10 CBR114687 126.90715 -8.421548 Primary Noni Chert 19.64 3.31 37.56 4.62 40 CBR114689 126.91213 -8.424796 Secondary Manganese 58.39 0.61 2.24 0.11 10 CBR114690 126.90968 -8.423507 Secondary Manganese 58.60 0.67 1.61 0.3 10 The Sica Manganese Discovery The in-situ secondary enrichment at the Sica Prospect was discovered more recently by using the geological model Estrella has developed. The Sica Valley is the location of a significant accumulation of tertiary manganese. The Sica in-situ secondary mineralisation (Figure 2) was sampled and returned assays of 46.0% Mn and 49.3% Mn (CBR114691 and CBR114692 in Table 2). The secondary supergene is a flat oxide layer that is now being exposed through erosion. The erosion is responsible for concentrating tertiary manganese on the Sica Valley floor. Another 48 large samples were taken to estimate the tertiary mineralisation grade that has accumulated in the Sica Valley (Figure 3). The assay results are presented in Table 2. Table 2: Assay results from the Sica Prospect Sample # Longitude Latitude Description Mn% Al2O3% SiO2% P2O5% B ppm CBR114691 CBR114692 126.8739289 126.8726578 -8.4092643 -8.4120545 Sica In-situ Secondary Manganese 45.96 49.26 1.67 1.43 6.76 8.08 0.07 0.07 20 20 CBR114680 CBR114652 CBR114684 CBR114679 CBR114657 CBR114672 CBR114671 CBR114678 CBR114681 CBR114658 CBR114675 CBR114656 CBR114674 CBR114670 CBR114677 CBR114654 CBR114655 CBR114676 CBR114683 CBR114673 CBR114651 CBR114659 CBR114660 CBR114661 CBR114663 CBR114665 CBR114662 CBR114669 CBR114664 CBR114612 CBR114667 CBR114666 CBR114668 CBR114644 CBR114611 CBR114648 CBR114645 CBR114649 CBR114650 CBR114647 CBR114613 CBR114653 CBR114646 CBR114610 CBR114608 CBR114606 CBR114607 CBR114609 126.8711556 126.8711344 126.8712157 126.8712791 126.8714479 126.8715742 126.8715709 126.871244 126.8713225 126.8716286 126.8714328 126.8715295 126.8714098 126.8715965 126.8713737 126.8712675 126.8713115 126.8713525 126.8713154 126.8715087 126.8714381 126.8715927 126.8716017 126.8715334 126.8717301 126.8717238 126.8716824 126.871568 126.8716988 126.8710248 126.8717733 126.8717694 126.8717154 126.8712133 126.8710564 126.8711945 126.8711379 126.8713941 126.8714155 126.8712713 126.8711256 126.8713288 126.8711934 126.8709952 126.8708011 126.8709622 126.8709157 126.8707244 -8.4115466 -8.4116659 -8.4116885 -8.4115802 -8.4115298 -8.4117501 -8.4116464 -8.4115217 -8.411724 -8.4115062 -8.4116498 -8.4115155 -8.411737 -8.4115831 -8.4115929 -8.4114441 -8.4114572 -8.4116195 -8.4117689 -8.4117325 -8.4112951 -8.4113492 -8.4113074 -8.4112625 -8.4113087 -8.4112917 -8.4112482 -8.4112573 -8.4113301 -8.41128 -8.4112194 -8.4112817 -8.4111957 -8.4111916 -8.4111781 -8.4113523 -8.41127 -8.4113955 -8.4113043 -8.4113175 -8.4111765 -8.411402 -8.4112687 -8.4110633 -8.4108702 -8.4108173 -8.4107704 -8.4110037 57.06 56.66 54.56 54.36 54.10 53.54 53.39 53.14 53.01 52.94 52.76 52.20 52.03 51.84 51.80 49.59 48.66 47.25 46.48 46.24 45.67 44.56 44.28 43.47 43.34 42.67 42.04 37.04 36.49 36.33 34.77 34.40 33.57 33.19 32.64 28.57 27.23 27.15 26.91 26.50 26.37 24.03 23.69 17.43 12.45 9.91 8.61 1.19 0.9 1.03 0.98 0.92 1.29 1.09 0.96 1.04 0.96 1.19 1.16 0.88 1.22 1.26 1.23 1.52 1.8 1.49 1.91 1.53 2.22 1.95 2.02 2.31 2.12 2.21 2.39 2.99 2.84 2.9 2.88 3.03 2.49 2.89 3.45 4.08 2.65 3.21 3.64 3.07 4 4 3.01 2.91 2.62 2.49 3.25 3.41 3.45 3.36 3.78 5.68 4.66 3.8 4.94 4.61 4.5 6.65 4.02 4.15 5.34 4.92 6.44 8.16 6.75 6.52 5.53 7.95 7.16 8.84 9.68 9.83 10.92 10.46 13.78 13.19 19.04 19.54 21.63 8.17 14.54 15.2 20.22 10.34 10.36 15.73 13.81 18.58 16.89 10.16 8.08 7.38 7.51 LNR 0.07 0.21 0.09 0.08 0.1 0.1 0.06 0.1 0.12 0.31 0.09 0.07 0.12 0.13 0.08 0.1 0.26 0.23 0.06 0.09 0.08 0.05 0.06 0.08 0.04 0.05 0.4 0.38 0.28 0.42 0.2 0.55 0.34 0.18 0.41 0.17 0.23 0.14 0.1 0.18 0.38 0.19 0.17 9.89 14.3 13.86 15.09 10 10 10 20 10 10 20 10 10 20 10 10 10 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 40 40 30 40 40 40 30 30 40 40 30 40 40 30 40 40 40 40 40 40 Sica valley tertiary Mn The average grade of the Sica Valley tertiary mineralisation is 40.1% Mn. There is an inverse relationship between manganese and silica, phosphorus and iron. This reflects the difference in mineralogy within the supergene process where manganese is progressively stripped from the source cherts (high in silica, phosphorus and iron) and deposited as manganese oxides elsewhere in the weathering profile. The assays also show that the majority of manganese resides towards the south at the back of the valley (Figure 6). This dispersion is due to the higher-grade nodules being heavier than the lower grade nodules which contain lighter minerals such as iron oxides and silicates from the source chert. This can be seen by the grade distribution in Figure 6, where water movement is towards the top of the image (north). This dispersion of grade indicates that water flow down the valley floor during the wet season is sorting and concentrating high-grade nodules and washing away the lighter minerals further down the valley. These are good directional indicators in exploration that point towards the zones of economic interest in the hills above the valley floor. Figure 6: Location of Sica tertiary manganese assays showing a sharp increase in grade to the south, heading towards the supergene sub-crop area. The average phosphorus grade for all the samples is 0.17% when not including chert contaminated samples CBR114607 – CBR104610, which represent the lighter material washed towards the northern foot of the valley. CBR114609 appears to have been lost in transit through Australian customs and did not arrive at the lab. Estrella submitted all samples for additional testing to ascertain their boron and arsenic levels. All samples are very low in boron and arsenic which suggests that Timor-Leste manganese should also be a marketable product to the steel industry. Steel quality can be improved with the addition of high-grade manganese ores that are also low in boron and arsenic. This allows for more control when creating specific steels with properties for hardness, weldability and wear resistance. Next Steps The company has just completed environmental surveys on a series of planned drill positions at Ira Miri, Sica and Lalena. These drill positions will test the recent IP survey results along with geological targets generated by the previous 9 months of mapping. The applications to the relevant Government bodies to allow the start of the drill campaign are currently being submitted. Mapping of the prospective trends identified by the company’s predictive exploration model will continue through the wet season. The track-mounted carrier for the air compressor and a complete RC sample system (Figure 7) were imported from Vietnam by a Darwin-based drill contractor. These items have just landed in Timor-Leste and are being cleared through customs. The multipurpose drill rig to be used on the projects will leave Darwin in March with additional RC rods and hammers to complement the existing stocks already in Timor-Leste. The end of the wet season in March-April should coincide with the completion of full RC drill capability in Timor-Leste. Figure 7: Track-mounted carrier for the compressor and the RC sample system The company will update shareholders as the approvals process and continued exploration unfolds. The Board has authorised for this announcement to be released to the ASX. FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Christopher J. Daws Managing Director Estrella Resources Limited +61 8 9481 0389 info@estrellaresources.com.au Media: David Tasker Managing Director Chapter One Advisors E: dtasker@chapteroneadvisors.com.au T: +61 433 112 936 Forward Looking Statements This announcement contains certain forward-looking statements which have not been based solely on historical facts but, rather, on ESR’s current expectations about future events and on a number of assumptions which are subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies many of which are outside the control of ESR and its directors, officers and advisers. Competent Person Statement The information in this announcement relating to Exploration Results is based on information compiled by Steve Warriner, who is the Group Exploration Manager of Estrella Resources, and a member of The Australasian Institute of Geoscientists, and based on information compiled by Beau Nicholls, who is a Director of Sahara Natural Resources and is the Exploration Manager for Estrella Timor-Leste, and a fellow of The Australasian Institute of Geoscientists. Mr Warriner and Mr Nicholls have sufficient experience relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration, and to the activity they are undertaking to qualify as Competent Persons as defined in the 2012 Edition of the “Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resource and Ore Reserves”. Mr Warriner and Mr Nicholls consent to the inclusion in the report of the matters based on their information in the form and context in which it appears. Table 3: Assay Results Sample ID Al2O3 % CaO % Fe2O3 % K2O % MgO % MnO % Na2O % P2O5 % SO3 % SiO2 % TiO2 % LOI % As ppm B ppm CBR114606 2.62 21.34 24.43 0.31 1.41 12.8 0.4 13.86 0.53 7.38 0.1 13.36 23.9 40 CBR114607 2.49 22.83 26.08 0.31 0.87 11.12 0.42 15.09 0.64 7.51 0.09 9.79 40.8 40 CBR114608 2.91 20.16 23.15 0.52 0.44 16.08 0.56 14.3 0.93 8.08 0.09 9.34 37.8 40 CBR114609 L.N.R. CBR114610 3.01 15.02 22.93 0.55 0.83 22.5 0.63 9.89 0.89 10.16 0.09 11 17.45 40 CBR114611 2.89 2.06 17.96 0.67 1.18 42.15 0.98 0.41 0.25 14.54 0.08 12.95 18.8 30 CBR114612 2.84 2.32 14.44 0.7 0.98 46.91 0.88 0.42 0.19 13.19 0.08 12.83 19.45 30 CBR114613 3.07 3.22 21.82 0.53 1.36 34.05 0.65 0.38 0.38 13.81 0.1 17.18 6.92 30 CBR114644 2.49 2.23 20.65 0.58 1.26 42.86 0.46 0.18 0.6 8.17 0.08 16.84 20.8 30 CBR114645 4.08 1.7 18.81 0.83 1.31 35.16 0.98 0.23 0.22 20.22 0.14 12.87 5.01 40 CBR114646 4 2.76 24.3 0.66 1.22 30.59 0.8 0.17 0.59 16.89 0.14 14.6 8.73 40 CBR114647 3.64 1.61 22.69 0.7 1.23 34.22 1.08 0.18 0.91 15.73 0.14 13.41 27 40 CBR114648 3.45 2.48 21.68 0.75 1.23 36.89 0.88 0.17 0.4 15.2 0.11 14.12 8.42 40 CBR114649 2.65 2.9 22.87 0.4 1.46 35.05 0.41 0.14 0.47 10.34 0.09 20.27 2.48 30 CBR114650 3.21 2.46 24.28 0.53 1.35 34.74 0.49 0.1 0.9 10.36 0.12 18.11 52.3 40 CBR114651 1.53 4.05 7.68 0.65 0.69 58.97 0.58 0.08 0.11 5.53 0.02 14.59 27.5 30 CBR114652 0.9 1.39 1.45 0.52 0.15 73.16 0.17 0.21 0.02 3.41 <0.01 12.39 75.1 10 CBR114653 4 2.45 20.39 0.64 1.37 31.03 0.86 0.19 0.67 18.58 0.14 15.53 4.85 40 CBR114654 1.23 3.66 5.54 0.25 0.39 64.03 0.28 0.1 0.1 4.92 0.04 14.24 62.5 20 CBR114655 1.52 2.87 5.9 0.35 0.42 62.83 0.34 0.26 0.08 6.44 0.03 13.08 63.3 20 CBR114656 1.16 3.36 1.6 0.25 0.26 67.4 0.21 0.07 0.04 6.65 0.01 13.47 78.8 10 CBR114657 0.92 2.54 2.07 0.38 0.22 69.86 0.19 0.1 0.02 3.78 <0.01 13.3 63.7 10 CBR114658 0.96 3.42 1.45 0.16 0.2 68.36 0.16 0.31 0.06 4.61 <0.01 13.48 73.5 20 CBR114659 2.22 0.97 11.58 0.89 0.5 57.54 0.38 0.05 0.09 7.95 0.04 12.44 2.87 30 CBR114660 1.95 1.58 11.34 0.86 0.66 57.18 0.73 0.06 0.05 7.16 0.03 12.96 5.51 30 CBR114661 2.02 1.62 10.55 0.83 0.76 56.13 0.81 0.08 0.21 8.84 0.03 12.56 9.86 30 CBR114662 2.21 1.89 9.52 0.87 0.92 54.28 0.89 0.4 0.05 10.92 0.04 12.53 6.7 30 CBR114663 2.31 0.96 11.36 0.8 0.72 55.96 0.74 0.04 0.06 9.68 0.05 12.45 1.72 30 CBR114664 2.99 3.16 11.88 0.87 1.19 47.11 0.94 0.28 0.12 13.78 0.09 13.85 3.29 40 CBR114665 2.12 1.79 9.96 0.86 1.03 55.1 0.93 0.05 0.07 9.83 0.05 13.05 10.55 30 CBR114666 2.88 2.71 9.77 0.96 1.4 44.42 1 0.55 0.12 19.54 0.09 12.57 10.4 40 CBR114667 2.9 2.16 9.42 0.98 1.42 44.9 1.1 0.2 0.08 19.04 0.09 12.92 9.94 40 CBR114668 3.03 2.01 8.96 1 1.53 43.34 1.2 0.34 0.09 21.63 0.1 12.39 4.82 40 CBR114669 2.39 2.31 16.42 0.78 0.87 47.83 0.73 0.38 0.09 10.46 0.07 13.05 6.4 40 CBR114670 1.22 3.39 3.05 0.61 0.42 66.93 0.34 0.13 0.07 4.15 0.02 14.12 61.9 20 CBR114671 1.09 2.99 1.66 0.21 0.22 68.94 0.18 0.06 0.03 4.66 0.01 13.52 71.9 20 CBR114672 1.29 1.23 2.5 0.54 0.26 69.13 0.22 0.1 0.02 5.68 0.03 12.13 84.6 10 CBR114673 1.91 1.92 8.59 0.62 0.58 59.7 0.48 0.09 0.23 6.52 0.05 12.94 58.3 20 CBR114674 0.88 3.15 2.86 0.51 0.34 67.18 0.34 0.12 0.05 4.02 <0.01 13.88 68.2 10 CBR114675 1.19 2.66 3.14 0.22 0.66 68.12 0.23 0.09 0.06 4.5 0.05 13.57 69.6 10 CBR114676 1.8 2.28 5.76 1.74 0.53 61.01 0.48 0.23 0.05 8.16 0.04 12.52 45.9 20 CBR114677 1.26 2.96 2.44 0.3 0.36 66.89 0.32 0.08 0.04 5.34 0.01 13.33 71 20 CBR114678 0.96 3.58 2.11 0.44 0.28 68.62 0.24 0.1 0.05 3.8 <0.01 13.99 61.3 10 CBR114679 0.98 2.42 1.28 0.21 0.23 70.19 0.21 0.08 0.02 3.36 0.01 13.3 80.9 20 CBR114680 1.19 1.82 0.96 0.18 0.16 73.67 0.13 0.07 0.01 3.25 0.02 12.86 76.7 10 CBR114681 1.04 3.34 2.02 0.21 0.29 68.45 0.25 0.12 0.04 4.94 0.01 13.71 68.3 10 CBR114683 1.49 3.94 6.08 0.94 0.88 60.02 0.86 0.06 0.05 6.75 0.02 14.49 19.3 20 CBR114684 1.03 2.49 2.74 0.18 0.2 70.45 0.17 0.09 0.03 3.45 0.02 13.33 69.7 10 CBR114685 1.89 2.12 2.09 0.59 0.9 51.59 0.28 0.13 0.02 20.83 0.05 14.51 14 10 CBR114686 1.05 1.83 0.81 0.28 0.45 66.19 0.49 0.04 0.25 8.85 0.01 13.3 3.2 10 CBR114687 3.31 12.68 2.32 0.35 1.11 25.36 0.41 4.62 0.22 37.56 0.08 9.7 8.91 40 CBR114689 0.61 0.82 0.56 0.08 0.09 75.39 0.11 0.11 0.46 2.24 <0.01 12.34 315 10 CBR114690 0.67 0.99 0.67 0.07 0.02 75.66 0.08 0.3 0.06 1.61 <0.01 12.75 48.5 10 CBR114691 1.67 0.93 11.03 1.31 0.53 59.35 0.49 0.07 0.04 6.76 0.03 12.78 0.5 20 CBR114692 1.43 1.15 4.6 1.08 0.7 63.61 0.43 0.07 0.04 8.08 0.01 12.58 2.62 20 APPENDIX 1 JORC TABLE 1 – TIMOR-LESTE EXPLORATION Section 1 - Sampling Techniques and Data Criteria Sampling techniques Drilling techniques Drill sample recovery JORC Code explanation • Nature and quality of sampling (e.g. cut channels, random chips, or specific specialised industry standard measurement tools appropriate to the minerals under investigation, such as down hole gamma sondes, or handheld XRF instruments, etc). These examples should not be taken as limiting the broad meaning of sampling. • Include reference to measures taken to ensure sample representivity and the appropriate calibration of any measurement tools or systems used. • Aspects of the determination of mineralisation that are Material to the Public Report. In cases where ‘industry standard’ work has been done this would be relatively simple (e.g. ‘reverse circulation drilling was used to obtain 1 m samples from which 3 kg was pulverised to produce a 30 g charge for fire assay’). In other cases more explanation may be required, such as where there is coarse gold that has inherent sampling problems. Unusual commodities or mineralisation types (e.g. submarine nodules) may warrant disclosure of detailed information. • Drill type (e.g. core, reverse circulation, open-hole hammer, rotary air blast, auger, Bangka, sonic, etc) and details (e.g. core diameter, triple or standard tube, depth of diamond tails, face-sampling bit or other type, whether core is oriented and if so, by what method, etc). Commentary • Determination of mineralisation has been based on geological mapping, visual mineral estimates and confirmation of metallic concentration using a Bruker S1 Titan Portable XRF instrument. • Initial rock-chip samples were taken and pXRF determinations on uncrushed samples made in the field. • Samples are then brought back to Dili and pulverized to 100% passing 1mm before the powder is again subjected to PXRF • A sub-sample of 300g is then dispatched through customs and quarantine in Australia to ALS in Malaga for multielement analysis. • Exported samples are analysed using a 4acid digest, ME-XRF26s, ME-MS61L and B-ICP69 at ALS in Malaga • No drilling has been undertaken to date. • Method of recording and assessing core and chip sample recoveries and results assessed. Measures taken to maximise sample recovery and ensure representative nature of the samples. Whether a relationship exists between sample recovery and grade and whether sample bias may have occurred due to preferential loss/gain of fine/coarse material. Whether core and chip samples have been geologically and geotechnically logged to a level of detail to support appropriate Mineral Resource estimation, mining studies and metallurgical studies. Whether logging is qualitative or quantitative in nature. Core (or costean, channel, etc) photography. The total length and percentage of the relevant intersections logged. If core, whether cut or sawn and whether quarter, half or all core taken. • • No drilling has been undertaken to date. The installation of pulverising sample prep facilities in Timor-Leste ensures sample representivity when presented to the PXRF and when obtaining the 300g split to send to Australia. • Rock-chip samples were geologically logged for mineral content and photographed prior to sending for assay or screening by pXRF. • If non-core, whether riffled, tube sampled, rotary split, etc and whether sampled wet or dry. For all sample types, the nature, quality and appropriateness of the sample preparation technique. Quality control procedures adopted for all sub-sampling stages to maximise • Sample sizes are appropriate to the grain size of the mineralisation which in manganese oxides is very fine. The exploration program is in its very early stages and initial sample sizes are kept small due to freight and customs / quarantine restrictions. They are not considered representative of the bulk of mineralisation. • • Logging • • • Subsampling techniques and sample preparation • • • • Criteria Quality of assay data and laboratory tests JORC Code explanation representivity of samples. • Measures taken to ensure that the sampling is representative of the in-situ material collected, including for instance results for field duplicate/second-half sampling. • Whether sample sizes are appropriate to the grain size of the material being sampled. • The nature, quality and appropriateness of the assaying and laboratory procedures used and whether the technique is considered partial or total. • For geophysical tools, spectrometers, handheld XRF instruments, etc, the parameters used in determining the analysis including instrument make and model, reading times, calibrations factors applied and their derivation, etc. • Nature of quality control procedures adopted (e.g. standards, blanks, duplicates, external laboratory checks) and whether acceptable levels of accuracy (i.e. lack of bias) and precision have been established. Commentary • • • • • • Verification of sampling and assaying Location of data points • • • • • • • Data spacing and distribution • • • Orientation of data in relation to geological structure • • The verification of significant intersections by either independent or alternative company personnel. The use of twinned holes. Documentation of primary data, data entry procedures, data verification, data storage (physical and electronic) protocols. Discuss any adjustment to assay data. Accuracy and quality of surveys used to locate drill holes (collar and down-hole surveys), trenches, mine workings and other locations used in Mineral Resource estimation. Specification of the grid system used. Quality and adequacy of topographic control. Data spacing for reporting of Exploration Results. Whether the data spacing and distribution is sufficient to establish the degree of geological and grade continuity appropriate for the Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimation procedure(s) and classifications applied. Whether sample compositing has been applied. Whether the orientation of sampling achieves unbiased sampling of possible structures and the extent to which this is known, considering the deposit type. If the relationship between the drilling orientation and the orientation of key mineralised structures is considered to have • Three sample types are quoted: 1 – Uncrushed Field PXRF (a fresh mineral face is chipped from samples prior to the XRF determination in the field) 2 – Crushed PXRF (samples from above are taken back to Dili, 1-3kg of material, and crushed/pulverised to 100% passing 1mm in the company’s dedicated sample preparation facility, and 15g of powder is then taken for PXRF analysis. Crushed PXRF determinations have been subjected to repeat samples, standards and confirmation of accuracy by laboratory analysis. 3 – Assay, where 150g of material is exported to ALS in Malaga via quarantine in Darwin. Standards and blanks have not been included in samples sent to Australia. The company relies on the internal standards and blanks used by ALS. Samples are being analysed at ALS in Malaga using a 4-acid digest, ME-ICP for 61 elements and all samples are also being tested for Pt, Pd and Au by fire assay and ICP-MS finish on a 50g sub-sample. Currently, uncrushed field samples are being analysed by PXRF on location,. The Cautionary statement is included when assessing pXRF. No prior modern exploration has been conducted in the area. • No adjustments to assay data were undertaken save where the ME-XRF26s method reports MnO%. • Mn% is derived by dividing MnO by 1.2912 • Timor personnel use GRID software on mobile phones to record GPS locations, sampling data and photographs. Mobile phone accuracy (shown during coordinate capture) is set at a maximum tolerance of 5m. Topographic control is accomplished using 30m spaced satellite point data. No systematic sampling has been conducted at this early stage. • • • No orientation-based sampling bias has been identified. Criteria Sample security JORC Code explanation introduced a sampling bias, this should be assessed and reported if material. • The measures taken to ensure sample security. Commentary • • Audits or reviews • The results of any audits or reviews of sampling techniques and data. • • • Exported samples are in the possession of ESR personnel from field collection to customs submission in Darwin. Possession then passes to the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and fisheries where Northline Couriers pick up the samples and take them by road to ALS in Malaga. Non-exported samples remain with ESR personnel past Darwin Airport Customs. No independent audit or review has been undertaken. Internal QAQC involves frequent standard checks on the PXRF instrument to determine any drift of accuracy. Additional checks involve analysis of any assayed samples in comparison to the crushed and uncrushed in-country PXRF determinations so as to provide confidence in in-country analysis. Section 2 - Reporting of Exploration Results Criteria Mineral tenement and land tenure status JORC Code explanation • Type, reference name/number, location and ownership including agreements or material issues with third parties such as joint ventures, partnerships, overriding royalties, native title interests, historical sites, wilderness or national park and environmental settings. • The security of the tenure held at the time o