{"success":true,"data":{"pressRelease":{"id":"161560","rtpr_id":"nNFC5B6sVF-20261006","ticker":"ASTR","exchange":"","all_tickers":["ASTR"],"title":"Astra Defines a Large, Drill-Ready High Sulphidation Gold Target at Don Mario in Chile","author":"Newsfile Corp","published_at":"2026-10-06T11:00:51.755Z","article_body":"Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 6, 2026) - Astra\nExploration Inc. (TSXV: ASTR) (OTCQX: ATEPF) (FSE: S3I) (\"Astra\" or the\n\"Company\") is pleased to provide results of the exploration activities at the\nDon Mario high-sulphidation epithermal (HSE) gold project in the Maricunga\nDistrict of northern Chile.\n\nAstra's CEO, Brian Miller, commented:\n\n\"Astra has a unique portfolio of exploration properties in Argentina and Chile\nand recently has taken the opportunity to advance Don Mario to the drill\nstage. The combination of outcropping gold mineralization with a large\nalteration zone and overlapping geophysical and geochemical targets makes for\na compelling large-scale HSE target in the Maricunga Belt – a belt known to\nproduce several world-class gold mines. We intend to proceed and drill the\nproject in the coming months with a 2,000 – 3,000 metre fully-funded program\nand are pleased to add this discovery opportunity to our large flagship La\nManchuria drilling program.\"\n\nAstra's Exploration Director, Diego Guido, commented:\n\n\"The different exploration tools used at Don Mario have significantly improved\nour understanding of this large high sulphidation target, vectoring toward the\nprospective portions of the system. The distribution of the gold-silver\nsurface anomalies into silicified diatreme breccias, together with the deeper\nresistive anomaly identified by the CS-NSAMT survey, suggests that the system\nmay preserve both shallow disseminated mineralization and deeper feeder\nstructures.\"\n\nDon Mario Exploration Results\n\nThe Company has received the results of a low-cost exploration program\ncompleted at the Don Mario Project (See NR 2026-05-30 Astra Provides\nExploration Update and Receives Independent Analyst Coverage from ATB Cormark\nCapital Markets), located within the eastern Maricunga gold belt of northern\nChile. The program included geological mapping of the property, a combined\ngeochemical and spectral mineralogy survey and three Controlled and Natural\nSource Audiofrequency Magnetotelluric (CS-NSAMT) survey lines.\n\nThe results outline a 2 kilometre by 1 kilometre gold and silver geochemical\ntarget concentrated in the southwestern portion of a larger 2 kilometre by 2\nkilometre lithocap within the 4,480 hectare property. Don Mario is located\nwithin the Maricunga gold belt, which is one of the most prolific gold\ndistricts in the world containing several large HSE and porphyry deposits.\n\nEight shallow RC holes were completed by previous operators and returned 20\nmetres and 32 metres of 0.41 g/t gold and 0.38 g/t gold respectively, in two\nseparate holes. These holes were completed to the east of the current focus of\nexploration, and did not test Astra's currently high-priority drill targets.\nDrill results by previous operators are historical in nature and have not been\nverified by Astra.\n\nGeology of Don Mario project\n\nAstra's geological mapping of the Don Mario project (Figure 1) shows a strong\noverlapping 2 kilometre by 1.8 kilometre area of intense hydrothermal\nalteration identified from satellite imagery and the Cerro Bayo Volcanic\nComplex. The Complex includes a dacitic to rhyodacitic dome forming the Cerro\nBayo hill in the northeast portion of the alteration anomaly, surrounded by\nphreatomagmatic tuffs exposed mainly to the west (Figure 1).\n\nThe Cerro Bayo Volcanic Complex is interpreted to continue westward beneath\nshallow modern cover, based on several subcrops and small outcrops identified\nalong creeks in this area. Portions of the target geology are pervasively\nsilicified and locally form vuggy silica and hydrothermal breccias cemented by\nquartz-alunite and jarosite. Previous exploration by other operators at the\nProject identified locally elevated gold values within some of these\nhydrothermal breccias.\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8951/317591_67a0974a84c9a95e_002full.jpg)\n\nFigure 1: Don Mario project geological map produced by Astra's geologist based\non previous maps (1-2-3), satellite interpretation and field observations.\nNote the correlation of the quartz-alunite-pyrophyllite hydrothermal\nalteration (dark blue thick polygon) with the phreatomagmatic tuffs and\nvolcanic dome of the Cerro Bayo Volcanic Complex.\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8951/317591_67a0974a84c9a95e_002full.jpg\n\nAlteration and Geochemistry of Don Mario\n\nA total of 261 grid samples were collected and analyzed for alteration\nassemblages. The results show a strong correlation with the alteration\npatterns interpreted from satellite imagery and confirm the presence of a\nquartz-alunite-pyrophyllite alteration assemblage (Figure 2). Alteration\nassemblage interpretation defined 3 zones: the shallow lithocap with K-rich\nalunite (Zone 1), the deeper lithocap with Na-rich alunite (Zone 2) and the\nhigher temperature feeder zones with pyrophyllite (Zone 3).\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8951/317591_67a0974a84c9a95e_003full.jpg)\n\nFigure 2: Don Mario property map with sampling grid shown, and detail to the\nright (white rectangle) of the results obtained with detailed spectral\nmineralogy studies. Red outline is Zone 1, Blue outline is Zone 2 and Yellow\noutlines are Zone 3 alteration assemblages.\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8951/317591_67a0974a84c9a95e_003full.jpg\n\nThe same grid was sampled for lag geochemistry. The results define a 2\nkilometre by 1 kilometre, NW-elongated gold-silver anomaly, concentrated\npredominantly west and southwest of the main lithocap (Figure 3). The\nstrongest gold anomalies range up to 0.2 g/t gold and display a predominantly\nE-W orientation. Silver anomalies are more extensive and range up to 2.0 g/t\nsilver.\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8951/317591_astrafigurethree.jpg)\n\nFigure 3: Gold and Silver results obtained from the sample grid at Don Mario\nHSE alteration area.\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8951/317591_astrafigurethree.jpg\n\nIn addition to the grid sampling, nine rock-chip samples were collected from\nsurface outcrops within the survey area. These samples returned gold and\nsilver anomalies, with maximum values of 1.35 g/t gold and 1.14 g/t silver.\nThe highest gold value was obtained from a hydrothermal breccia located south\nof Cerro Bayo hill (photo in Figure 2).\n\nGeophysics of Don Mario\n\nTo further evaluate the lithocap alteration and associated geochemical\nanomalies, Astra completed a three-line CS-NSAMT survey along NE-SW-oriented\nprofiles crossing the NW-oriented target area (green lines, Figure 2).\n\nThe CS-NSAMT results identify a shallow high-resistivity anomaly approximately\n200 to 400 metre thick, occurring between approximately 4,600 and 5,000 metres\nelevation and extending for at least 600 metres across the three sections. A\nsecond, deeper resistive anomaly extends to approximately 4,000 metres\nelevation, or approximately 1,000 metres below surface, and is concentrated\ntoward the southwest on sections L2 and L3 (Figure 4).\n\nThese resistive anomalies are the exact targets for vuggy silica at the core\nof a high sulphidation system.\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8951/317591_67a0974a84c9a95e_006full.jpg)\n\nFigure 4: 3D inversion sections and plan map (4,800 metres) of the geophysical\nsurvey from Don Mario integrated with the geochemical anomalies for gold and\nsilver and the three alteration Zones from alteration detail work.\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8951/317591_67a0974a84c9a95e_006full.jpg\n\nDon Mario Targeting Summary\n\nThe combination of geological mapping, alteration mineralogy, geochemistry and\ngeophysics supports the interpretation of a large HSE system with multiple\nexploration targets. These include:\n* A shallow, disseminated gold and silver mineralization target associated\nwith a large (1 by 1 kilometre) flat lying lithocap with favorable alteration\n(Zone 1).\n* Deeper HSE-porphyry transition target located NW of the area (Zone 2).\n* Potentially higher-grade feeder-zone targets (Zones 3), associated with\nfaults and deep resistivity anomalies (L2 line in Figure 4) to the south of\nthe area.\nThe results provide compelling targets for follow-up exploration, including\ndrill testing of the most prospective portions of the Don Mario HSE system.\nAstra intends to undertake a drill program of approximately 2,500 metres,\ncurrently planned to commence in Q1 2027.\n\nSampling procedure\n\nAt each sampling location, two samples were collected: one for LAG analysis\nand another for Terraspec analysis. A maximum offset of 10 metres from the\ntheoretical sampling point was established, depending on field conditions.\n\nAt each sampling site, the surface soil layer was removed over an area of\napproximately 1 m², using a brush to eliminate coarse fragments. The material\nwas collected with a plastic scoop, without exceeding a depth of 5\ncentimetres.\n\nLAG sampling consisted of the collection of surface material with a particle\nsize ranging from 2 milimetres to 4.75 milimetres, using a sieve system (No. 4\nmesh over No. 10 mesh). The material was manually sieved in the field,\ncollecting approximately 1 to 1.5 kilograms per sample. Samples were stored in\n25 × 35 centimetre bags, properly labeled and identified.\n\nSamples were sent to ALS Labs in Copiapó and analyzed with the following\nroutine: PREP-31B, AuME-ST43.\n\nAdditionally, at each sampling location, a sample was collected for Terraspec\nanalysis by manually selecting fragments from the material retained on the\nupper sieve (approximately 2 to 5 centimetres in size), with an approximate\nweight of 100 grams. These samples were stored in 10 × 10 centimetre properly\nlabeled Ziploc bags and sent to a consultant company to analyze.\nFrom the designed grid, only samples between localities 250 and 255 could not\nbe surveyed due to operational difficulties associated with terrain\nconditions.\n\nTo ensure analytical quality control (QA/QC), a systematic protocol was\nimplemented that included the insertion of 14 QAQC samples, including\nduplicate samples, standards, and blanks.\n\nQualified Person\n\nThe technical data and information as disclosed in this news release has been\nreviewed and approved by Darcy Marud, who is an Independent Director of Astra.\nMr. Marud is a Practicing Member of the Association of Professional\nGeoscientists of Ontario and is a qualified person as defined under the terms\nof National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral\nProjects.\n\nAbout the Company\n\nAstra Exploration Inc. is a precious metals exploration company based out of\nVancouver, BC that is actively building a portfolio of high-quality projects\nin some of the most important mining jurisdictions in Latin America.\n\nThe 80% owned La Manchuria gold-silver project in Santa Cruz, Argentina, over\nwhich Astra has an option to acquire 90% interest from Patagonia Gold Corp, is\na high-grade gold and silver low sulphidation epithermal (LSE) deposit located\nin the prolific Deseado Massif which hosts multiple world-class LSE precious\nmetals deposits including Cerro Vanguardia and Cerro Negro, Santa Cruz,\nArgentina.\n\nThe 100% owned Pampa Paciencia gold and silver project in northern Chile is\nlocated in the Paleocene mineral province in proximity to such major operating\nmines as Spence and Sierra Gorda. The project shares several important\ngeological similarities to other Paleocene LSE gold-silver deposits including\nFaride and El Peñón.\n\nThe 100% owned Don Mario (renamed from Cerro Bayo) project in northern Chile\nis located in the Maricunga belt approximately 20 kilometres from the Refugio\nMine. The project hosts a high sulphidation epithermal (HSE) +/- porphyry gold\nsystem with similarities to the Salares Norte deposit to the north in the same\nbelt. The Maricunga belt is one of the most endowed regions in the world for\ngold and copper deposits.\n\nFor further information please contact:\n\nBrian Miller\nChief Executive Officer\nTel. 604.428.0939\nEmail: brian.miller@astra-exploration.com\n\nKatrina Damouni\nCorporate Development\nTel. 604.428.0939\nEmail: katrina.damouni@astra-exploration.com\n\nReferences:\n\n(1) Clavero, J.; Pérez-Flores, P.; Ramírez, V., 2021. Reconocimiento\ngeológico-estructural del sector Amalia-Cerro Bayo, región de Atacama.\nGoldfields Internal Report: 51 p.\n\n(2) Cornejo, P. 2010. Geología Distrital Prospectos Cacique y Cerro Bayo N,\nFranja Maricunga. Report (unpublished). Minera Yamana Chile SpA internal\nreport: 16 p.\n\n(3) Mpodozis, C; Clavero, J; Quiroga, R; Droguett, B; Arcos, R. 2018.\nGeología del área Cerro Cadillal-Cerro Jotabeche, región de Atacama.\nServicio Nacional de Geología y Minería, Carta Geológica de Chile, Serie\nGeología Básica 200: 157 p., 1 mapa escala 1:100.000. Santiago.\n\nNeither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined\nin the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or\naccuracy of this release.\n\nThis news release may contain certain \"Forward-Looking Statements\" within the\nmeaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995\nand applicable Canadian securities laws. When or if used in this news release,\nthe words \"anticipate\", \"believe\", \"estimate\", \"expect\", \"target\", \"plan\",\n\"forecast\", \"may\", \"schedule\" and similar words or expressions identify\nforward- looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements\nor information may relate to the Company's business activities; exploration on\nthe Company's properties including drilling at the La Manchuria project. Such\nstatements represent the Company's current views with respect to future events\nand are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that,\nwhile considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to\nsignificant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks,\ncontingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could\ncause results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the\nresults, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied\nby such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, without limitation:\ndevelopment of the industry in which the Company operates; risks associated\nwith the conduct of the Company's business activities; risks relating to\nreliance on the Company's management team and outside contractors; currency\nfluctuations; risks regarding the failure to generate sufficient cash flow\nfrom operations; laws and regulations governing the industry in which the\nCompany operates; the ability of the communities in which the Company operates\nto manage and cope with the implications of COVID-19; the economic and\nfinancial implications of COVID-19 to the Company; operating or technical\ndifficulties; employee relations, labour unrest or unavailability; stock\nmarket volatility; conflicts of interest among certain directors and officers;\nlack of liquidity for shareholders of the Company; litigation risk; and other\nrisk factors disclosed in the Company's public disclosure documents available\non the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Readers are cautioned against\nattributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements or forward-looking\ninformation. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors\nthat could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other\nfactors that cause results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. The\nCompany does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these\nforward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or\nchanges in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and\ninformation other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.\n\n\nTo view the source version of this press release, please visit\nhttps://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/317591","article_body_html":"","raw_payload":{"data":{"id":"nNFC5B6sVF-20261006","title":"Astra Defines a Large, Drill-Ready High Sulphidation Gold Target at Don Mario in Chile","author":"Newsfile Corp","ticker":"ASTR","created":"2026-10-06T11:00:51.755Z","tickers":["ASTR"],"exchange":"","article_body":"Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 6, 2026) - Astra\nExploration Inc. (TSXV: ASTR) (OTCQX: ATEPF) (FSE: S3I) (\"Astra\" or the\n\"Company\") is pleased to provide results of the exploration activities at the\nDon Mario high-sulphidation epithermal (HSE) gold project in the Maricunga\nDistrict of northern Chile.\n\nAstra's CEO, Brian Miller, commented:\n\n\"Astra has a unique portfolio of exploration properties in Argentina and Chile\nand recently has taken the opportunity to advance Don Mario to the drill\nstage. The combination of outcropping gold mineralization with a large\nalteration zone and overlapping geophysical and geochemical targets makes for\na compelling large-scale HSE target in the Maricunga Belt – a belt known to\nproduce several world-class gold mines. We intend to proceed and drill the\nproject in the coming months with a 2,000 – 3,000 metre fully-funded program\nand are pleased to add this discovery opportunity to our large flagship La\nManchuria drilling program.\"\n\nAstra's Exploration Director, Diego Guido, commented:\n\n\"The different exploration tools used at Don Mario have significantly improved\nour understanding of this large high sulphidation target, vectoring toward the\nprospective portions of the system. The distribution of the gold-silver\nsurface anomalies into silicified diatreme breccias, together with the deeper\nresistive anomaly identified by the CS-NSAMT survey, suggests that the system\nmay preserve both shallow disseminated mineralization and deeper feeder\nstructures.\"\n\nDon Mario Exploration Results\n\nThe Company has received the results of a low-cost exploration program\ncompleted at the Don Mario Project (See NR 2026-05-30 Astra Provides\nExploration Update and Receives Independent Analyst Coverage from ATB Cormark\nCapital Markets), located within the eastern Maricunga gold belt of northern\nChile. The program included geological mapping of the property, a combined\ngeochemical and spectral mineralogy survey and three Controlled and Natural\nSource Audiofrequency Magnetotelluric (CS-NSAMT) survey lines.\n\nThe results outline a 2 kilometre by 1 kilometre gold and silver geochemical\ntarget concentrated in the southwestern portion of a larger 2 kilometre by 2\nkilometre lithocap within the 4,480 hectare property. Don Mario is located\nwithin the Maricunga gold belt, which is one of the most prolific gold\ndistricts in the world containing several large HSE and porphyry deposits.\n\nEight shallow RC holes were completed by previous operators and returned 20\nmetres and 32 metres of 0.41 g/t gold and 0.38 g/t gold respectively, in two\nseparate holes. These holes were completed to the east of the current focus of\nexploration, and did not test Astra's currently high-priority drill targets.\nDrill results by previous operators are historical in nature and have not been\nverified by Astra.\n\nGeology of Don Mario project\n\nAstra's geological mapping of the Don Mario project (Figure 1) shows a strong\noverlapping 2 kilometre by 1.8 kilometre area of intense hydrothermal\nalteration identified from satellite imagery and the Cerro Bayo Volcanic\nComplex. The Complex includes a dacitic to rhyodacitic dome forming the Cerro\nBayo hill in the northeast portion of the alteration anomaly, surrounded by\nphreatomagmatic tuffs exposed mainly to the west (Figure 1).\n\nThe Cerro Bayo Volcanic Complex is interpreted to continue westward beneath\nshallow modern cover, based on several subcrops and small outcrops identified\nalong creeks in this area. Portions of the target geology are pervasively\nsilicified and locally form vuggy silica and hydrothermal breccias cemented by\nquartz-alunite and jarosite. Previous exploration by other operators at the\nProject identified locally elevated gold values within some of these\nhydrothermal breccias.\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8951/317591_67a0974a84c9a95e_002full.jpg)\n\nFigure 1: Don Mario project geological map produced by Astra's geologist based\non previous maps (1-2-3), satellite interpretation and field observations.\nNote the correlation of the quartz-alunite-pyrophyllite hydrothermal\nalteration (dark blue thick polygon) with the phreatomagmatic tuffs and\nvolcanic dome of the Cerro Bayo Volcanic Complex.\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8951/317591_67a0974a84c9a95e_002full.jpg\n\nAlteration and Geochemistry of Don Mario\n\nA total of 261 grid samples were collected and analyzed for alteration\nassemblages. The results show a strong correlation with the alteration\npatterns interpreted from satellite imagery and confirm the presence of a\nquartz-alunite-pyrophyllite alteration assemblage (Figure 2). Alteration\nassemblage interpretation defined 3 zones: the shallow lithocap with K-rich\nalunite (Zone 1), the deeper lithocap with Na-rich alunite (Zone 2) and the\nhigher temperature feeder zones with pyrophyllite (Zone 3).\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8951/317591_67a0974a84c9a95e_003full.jpg)\n\nFigure 2: Don Mario property map with sampling grid shown, and detail to the\nright (white rectangle) of the results obtained with detailed spectral\nmineralogy studies. Red outline is Zone 1, Blue outline is Zone 2 and Yellow\noutlines are Zone 3 alteration assemblages.\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8951/317591_67a0974a84c9a95e_003full.jpg\n\nThe same grid was sampled for lag geochemistry. The results define a 2\nkilometre by 1 kilometre, NW-elongated gold-silver anomaly, concentrated\npredominantly west and southwest of the main lithocap (Figure 3). The\nstrongest gold anomalies range up to 0.2 g/t gold and display a predominantly\nE-W orientation. Silver anomalies are more extensive and range up to 2.0 g/t\nsilver.\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8951/317591_astrafigurethree.jpg)\n\nFigure 3: Gold and Silver results obtained from the sample grid at Don Mario\nHSE alteration area.\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8951/317591_astrafigurethree.jpg\n\nIn addition to the grid sampling, nine rock-chip samples were collected from\nsurface outcrops within the survey area. These samples returned gold and\nsilver anomalies, with maximum values of 1.35 g/t gold and 1.14 g/t silver.\nThe highest gold value was obtained from a hydrothermal breccia located south\nof Cerro Bayo hill (photo in Figure 2).\n\nGeophysics of Don Mario\n\nTo further evaluate the lithocap alteration and associated geochemical\nanomalies, Astra completed a three-line CS-NSAMT survey along NE-SW-oriented\nprofiles crossing the NW-oriented target area (green lines, Figure 2).\n\nThe CS-NSAMT results identify a shallow high-resistivity anomaly approximately\n200 to 400 metre thick, occurring between approximately 4,600 and 5,000 metres\nelevation and extending for at least 600 metres across the three sections. A\nsecond, deeper resistive anomaly extends to approximately 4,000 metres\nelevation, or approximately 1,000 metres below surface, and is concentrated\ntoward the southwest on sections L2 and L3 (Figure 4).\n\nThese resistive anomalies are the exact targets for vuggy silica at the core\nof a high sulphidation system.\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8951/317591_67a0974a84c9a95e_006full.jpg)\n\nFigure 4: 3D inversion sections and plan map (4,800 metres) of the geophysical\nsurvey from Don Mario integrated with the geochemical anomalies for gold and\nsilver and the three alteration Zones from alteration detail work.\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8951/317591_67a0974a84c9a95e_006full.jpg\n\nDon Mario Targeting Summary\n\nThe combination of geological mapping, alteration mineralogy, geochemistry and\ngeophysics supports the interpretation of a large HSE system with multiple\nexploration targets. These include:\n* A shallow, disseminated gold and silver mineralization target associated\nwith a large (1 by 1 kilometre) flat lying lithocap with favorable alteration\n(Zone 1).\n* Deeper HSE-porphyry transition target located NW of the area (Zone 2).\n* Potentially higher-grade feeder-zone targets (Zones 3), associated with\nfaults and deep resistivity anomalies (L2 line in Figure 4) to the south of\nthe area.\nThe results provide compelling targets for follow-up exploration, including\ndrill testing of the most prospective portions of the Don Mario HSE system.\nAstra intends to undertake a drill program of approximately 2,500 metres,\ncurrently planned to commence in Q1 2027.\n\nSampling procedure\n\nAt each sampling location, two samples were collected: one for LAG analysis\nand another for Terraspec analysis. A maximum offset of 10 metres from the\ntheoretical sampling point was established, depending on field conditions.\n\nAt each sampling site, the surface soil layer was removed over an area of\napproximately 1 m², using a brush to eliminate coarse fragments. The material\nwas collected with a plastic scoop, without exceeding a depth of 5\ncentimetres.\n\nLAG sampling consisted of the collection of surface material with a particle\nsize ranging from 2 milimetres to 4.75 milimetres, using a sieve system (No. 4\nmesh over No. 10 mesh). The material was manually sieved in the field,\ncollecting approximately 1 to 1.5 kilograms per sample. Samples were stored in\n25 × 35 centimetre bags, properly labeled and identified.\n\nSamples were sent to ALS Labs in Copiapó and analyzed with the following\nroutine: PREP-31B, AuME-ST43.\n\nAdditionally, at each sampling location, a sample was collected for Terraspec\nanalysis by manually selecting fragments from the material retained on the\nupper sieve (approximately 2 to 5 centimetres in size), with an approximate\nweight of 100 grams. These samples were stored in 10 × 10 centimetre properly\nlabeled Ziploc bags and sent to a consultant company to analyze.\nFrom the designed grid, only samples between localities 250 and 255 could not\nbe surveyed due to operational difficulties associated with terrain\nconditions.\n\nTo ensure analytical quality control (QA/QC), a systematic protocol was\nimplemented that included the insertion of 14 QAQC samples, including\nduplicate samples, standards, and blanks.\n\nQualified Person\n\nThe technical data and information as disclosed in this news release has been\nreviewed and approved by Darcy Marud, who is an Independent Director of Astra.\nMr. Marud is a Practicing Member of the Association of Professional\nGeoscientists of Ontario and is a qualified person as defined under the terms\nof National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral\nProjects.\n\nAbout the Company\n\nAstra Exploration Inc. is a precious metals exploration company based out of\nVancouver, BC that is actively building a portfolio of high-quality projects\nin some of the most important mining jurisdictions in Latin America.\n\nThe 80% owned La Manchuria gold-silver project in Santa Cruz, Argentina, over\nwhich Astra has an option to acquire 90% interest from Patagonia Gold Corp, is\na high-grade gold and silver low sulphidation epithermal (LSE) deposit located\nin the prolific Deseado Massif which hosts multiple world-class LSE precious\nmetals deposits including Cerro Vanguardia and Cerro Negro, Santa Cruz,\nArgentina.\n\nThe 100% owned Pampa Paciencia gold and silver project in northern Chile is\nlocated in the Paleocene mineral province in proximity to such major operating\nmines as Spence and Sierra Gorda. The project shares several important\ngeological similarities to other Paleocene LSE gold-silver deposits including\nFaride and El Peñón.\n\nThe 100% owned Don Mario (renamed from Cerro Bayo) project in northern Chile\nis located in the Maricunga belt approximately 20 kilometres from the Refugio\nMine. The project hosts a high sulphidation epithermal (HSE) +/- porphyry gold\nsystem with similarities to the Salares Norte deposit to the north in the same\nbelt. The Maricunga belt is one of the most endowed regions in the world for\ngold and copper deposits.\n\nFor further information please contact:\n\nBrian Miller\nChief Executive Officer\nTel. 604.428.0939\nEmail: brian.miller@astra-exploration.com\n\nKatrina Damouni\nCorporate Development\nTel. 604.428.0939\nEmail: katrina.damouni@astra-exploration.com\n\nReferences:\n\n(1) Clavero, J.; Pérez-Flores, P.; Ramírez, V., 2021. Reconocimiento\ngeológico-estructural del sector Amalia-Cerro Bayo, región de Atacama.\nGoldfields Internal Report: 51 p.\n\n(2) Cornejo, P. 2010. Geología Distrital Prospectos Cacique y Cerro Bayo N,\nFranja Maricunga. Report (unpublished). Minera Yamana Chile SpA internal\nreport: 16 p.\n\n(3) Mpodozis, C; Clavero, J; Quiroga, R; Droguett, B; Arcos, R. 2018.\nGeología del área Cerro Cadillal-Cerro Jotabeche, región de Atacama.\nServicio Nacional de Geología y Minería, Carta Geológica de Chile, Serie\nGeología Básica 200: 157 p., 1 mapa escala 1:100.000. Santiago.\n\nNeither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined\nin the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or\naccuracy of this release.\n\nThis news release may contain certain \"Forward-Looking Statements\" within the\nmeaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995\nand applicable Canadian securities laws. When or if used in this news release,\nthe words \"anticipate\", \"believe\", \"estimate\", \"expect\", \"target\", \"plan\",\n\"forecast\", \"may\", \"schedule\" and similar words or expressions identify\nforward- looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements\nor information may relate to the Company's business activities; exploration on\nthe Company's properties including drilling at the La Manchuria project. Such\nstatements represent the Company's current views with respect to future events\nand are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that,\nwhile considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to\nsignificant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks,\ncontingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could\ncause results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the\nresults, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied\nby such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, without limitation:\ndevelopment of the industry in which the Company operates; risks associated\nwith the conduct of the Company's business activities; risks relating to\nreliance on the Company's management team and outside contractors; currency\nfluctuations; risks regarding the failure to generate sufficient cash flow\nfrom operations; laws and regulations governing the industry in which the\nCompany operates; the ability of the communities in which the Company operates\nto manage and cope with the implications of COVID-19; the economic and\nfinancial implications of COVID-19 to the Company; operating or technical\ndifficulties; employee relations, labour unrest or unavailability; stock\nmarket volatility; conflicts of interest among certain directors and officers;\nlack of liquidity for shareholders of the Company; litigation risk; and other\nrisk factors disclosed in the Company's public disclosure documents available\non the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Readers are cautioned against\nattributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements or forward-looking\ninformation. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors\nthat could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other\nfactors that cause results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. The\nCompany does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these\nforward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or\nchanges in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and\ninformation other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.\n\n\nTo view the source version of this press release, please visit\nhttps://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/317591"},"type":"article","timestamp":"2026-10-06T11:00:51.814514581Z","server_sent_at_ms":1791284451814},"received_at":"2026-10-06T11:00:51.865Z","source_url":"https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/317591"},"analysis":{"id":"150084","press_release_id":"161560","analysis_json":{"industry":{"label":"Metals & Mining","sector":"Materials"},"redFlags":["historical drill results by previous operators not verified by Astra","surface anomalies are modest (max 0.2 g/t gold in lag samples); discovery risk remains high","drill program not until Q1 2027 -- long catalyst timeline"],"eventType":"operations_update","narrative":"Astra Exploration outlined a large, drill-ready high-sulphidation gold target at its 100%-owned Don Mario project in Chile's Maricunga belt.\n\nMapping, geochemistry, and CS-NSAMT geophysics defined a 2 km x 1 km gold-silver anomaly within a 2 km x 2 km lithocap, with rock-chip values up to 1.35 g/t gold.\n\nA fully-funded drill program of roughly 2,500 metres is planned to start in Q1 2027, adding a second discovery catalyst alongside the flagship La Manchuria program in Argentina.","sentiment":"bullish","agentHooks":{"shouldPost":false,"suggestedAngle":"Junior explorer advances Don Mario to drill-ready status in the prolific Maricunga gold belt with a Q1 2027 drill program."},"keyFigures":{"customDimensions":{"drill_start":"Q1 2027","grid_samples":261,"lithocap_size":"2 km x 2 km","geochem_target_size":"2 km x 1 km","planned_drill_metres":2500,"max_rock_chip_gold_gt":"1.35 g/t","property_size_hectares":4480,"lag_gold_anomaly_max_gt":"0.2 g/t","max_rock_chip_silver_gt":"1.14 g/t","lag_silver_anomaly_max_gt":"2.0 g/t","drill_program_metres_range":"2,000-3,000"}},"quotedText":"The combination of outcropping gold mineralization with a large alteration zone and overlapping geophysical and geochemical targets makes for a compelling large-scale HSE target in the Maricunga Belt","namedEntities":{"people":[{"name":"Brian Miller","role":"CEO"},{"name":"Diego Guido","role":"Exploration Director"},{"name":"Darcy Marud","role":"Independent Director / Qualified Person"},{"name":"Katrina Damouni","role":"Corporate Development"}],"products":["Don Mario gold project","La Manchuria gold-silver project","Pampa Paciencia gold-silver project"],"companies":[{"name":"Astra Exploration Inc.","ticker":"ASTR"},{"name":"Patagonia Gold Corp","relationship":"optionor on La Manchuria"},{"name":"ALS Labs","relationship":"assay lab"}],"dollarAmounts":[]},"materialImpact":{"score":2,"reasoning":"Early-stage exploration results defining a drill-ready gold target with no resource, economics, or financing attached. A fully-funded ~2,500m drill program is planned for Q1 2027, but this is routine junior-explorer newsflow."},"tickerRelevance":{"others":[],"primary":"ASTR"},"globalImportance":15,"audienceRelevance":12,"eventTypeSecondary":[],"importanceComponents":{"tickerTier":"micro-cap junior explorer","eventGravity":"early-stage exploration target definition, no resource or economics","sectorWeight":"gold exploration newsflow is common; value only on drill results","retailFavoriteBoost":0}},"event_type":"operations_update","event_type_secondary":null,"sentiment":"bullish","material_impact_score":2,"narrative":"Astra Exploration outlined a large, drill-ready high-sulphidation gold target at its 100%-owned Don Mario project in Chile's Maricunga belt.\n\nMapping, geochemistry, and CS-NSAMT geophysics defined a 2 km x 1 km gold-silver anomaly within a 2 km x 2 km lithocap, with rock-chip values up to 1.35 g/t gold.\n\nA fully-funded drill program of roughly 2,500 metres is planned to start in Q1 2027, adding a second discovery catalyst alongside the flagship La Manchuria program in Argentina.","key_figures":{"customDimensions":{"drill_start":"Q1 2027","grid_samples":261,"lithocap_size":"2 km x 2 km","geochem_target_size":"2 km x 1 km","planned_drill_metres":2500,"max_rock_chip_gold_gt":"1.35 g/t","property_size_hectares":4480,"lag_gold_anomaly_max_gt":"0.2 g/t","max_rock_chip_silver_gt":"1.14 g/t","lag_silver_anomaly_max_gt":"2.0 g/t","drill_program_metres_range":"2,000-3,000"}},"named_entities":{"people":[{"name":"Brian Miller","role":"CEO"},{"name":"Diego Guido","role":"Exploration Director"},{"name":"Darcy Marud","role":"Independent Director / Qualified Person"},{"name":"Katrina Damouni","role":"Corporate Development"}],"products":["Don Mario gold project","La Manchuria gold-silver project","Pampa Paciencia gold-silver project"],"companies":[{"name":"Astra Exploration Inc.","ticker":"ASTR"},{"name":"Patagonia Gold Corp","relationship":"optionor on La Manchuria"},{"name":"ALS Labs","relationship":"assay lab"}],"dollarAmounts":[]},"model_name":"glm-5.3-flashx","prompt_hash":"sha256:5c812bd9e28b810d","schema_hash":"sha256:05005c02d9cffac9","created_at":"2026-10-06T11:00:58.288Z","global_importance":15,"audience_relevance":12,"importance_components":{"tickerTier":"micro-cap junior explorer","eventGravity":"early-stage exploration target definition, no resource or economics","sectorWeight":"gold exploration newsflow is common; value only on drill results","retailFavoriteBoost":0}},"durationMs":6402,"modelName":"glm-5.3-flashx"}}