DILI, 17 June 2025 (TATOLI) – Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Francisco da Costa Monteiro, together with the President of the National Mining Authority (ANM, I.P.) Rafael Danilson de Araújo and the President of the Murak Rai Timor, José Manuel Gonçalves, joined Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão in a meeting with a delegation from Estrella Resources and Australian investors currently undertaking exploration activities in the municipalities of Lautém and Baucau.
In 2024, ANM granted a mineral exploration license to Estrella Murak Rai Lda (EMR), a joint venture between Estrella Resources Limited and Murak Rai Timor, E.P., with equity participation of 70% and 30% respectively. The license covers a concession area of 648.41 square kilometres in the Lautém and Baucau municipalities, for the purpose of exploring metallic and non-metallic minerals.
Initial exploration works, including geological and geophysical surveys, sampling, and laboratory analysis, have led to the identification of significant manganese potential within the concession area.
Christopher Daws, CEO of Estrella Resources, highlighted the high-grade nature of the manganese discovery and the company’s intention to proceed with further drilling to confirm the extent and distribution of the resource, with a view to future development and meeting international market demand.
In light of the promising results, Minister Monteiro reiterated the Government’s support for the project, including legal facilitation and institutional cooperation, and welcomed Estrella Resources’ commitment to self-financing the exploration and development phase.
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