Highlights

  • Drilling intersects significant deep Zn-Cu intervals at Verkhuba Copper Deposit.
  • Shallow mineralisation extends north, suggesting potential expansion of the resource.
  • 2026 study with Xinhai will focus on shallow resources and massive sulphide potential.

East Star Resources Plc (LSE:EST), a Kazakhstan-focused gold and base metals explorer, has reported results from its 2025 drilling programme at the Verkhuba Copper Deposit. The programme tested both deep resources defined by historical drilling and shallow areas outside the 2024 resource model. Three drill holes targeted the deep portion of the deposit and intersected significant Zn-Pb and Cu mineralisation within the major volcaniclastic unit. Mineralisation was observed as stringers and lenses of sulphides. Drill spacing in the central deep ore body was reduced to ~120m from 200–250m previously. Notably, drill hole VU_25_DD_009 intersected 17.90m @ 0.66% Zn and 0.10% Cu from 307m, confirming the continuity and thickness of the deeper ore body.

Additional drilling also provided structural insights. VU_25_DD_010 highlighted a fault cutting and displacing part of the ore body, indicating areas requiring further drilling to better understand the deposit geometry.

Shallow Mineralisation Update
Alongside deeper drilling, four holes tested shallower resources. Disseminated sulphides were recorded in most holes, with VU_25_DD_011 showing significant mineralisation at 74.5m, containing 2.00m @ 0.93% Zn, 0.08% Cu, and 0.17% Pb. These results indicate a continuation of shallow mineralisation to the north. Further drilling is needed to understand the geological controls on these shallow intervals and to map the distribution of mineralisation across the area.

Study Areas for 2026
The drilling completed in 2025 has helped define the study areas for 2026. East Star plans to work in partnership with Hong Kong Xinhai Mining Services Limited under a Joint Venture arrangement. Next year’s programme will focus on the shallower resources, aiming to collect data that will feed into feasibility studies and support mining licence applications. In addition, a ground EM survey is planned to test the potential for massive sulphides that have not yet been discovered, which could expand the known resource at Verkhuba.

Share Price Snapshot
EST was trading at GBX 3.40 per share as of 31 December 2025