Hook Lake Project: Historic 285,000 oz Gold Resource Remains Open and Growing
Manhattan Corporation has completed its maiden fieldwork at the Hook Lake Project in Nunavut, revealing extensive mineralized outcrops and preparing for a maiden drilling campaign in 2026. Assay results and a pioneering magnetic survey are set to unlock further exploration potential.
- Maiden fieldwork completed at Hook Lake with extensive new mineralized outcrops discovered
- Historic non-JORC compliant gold resource of ~285,000 oz at Jaws deposit remains open
- Rock chip samples collected across multiple gold and polymetallic VMS targets; assays expected September
- First-ever high-resolution fixed-wing magnetic survey to commence imminently
- Historic drill collars and diamond core located and in good condition, potential for resampling
Exploration Momentum Builds at Hook Lake
Manhattan Corporation Limited (ASX – MHC) has announced the completion of its maiden fieldwork programme at the Hook Lake Project in Nunavut, Canada, marking a significant milestone in the advancement of this underexplored gold and polymetallic asset. The project, which hosts the historically significant Jaws gold deposit, has yielded extensive mineralized outcrops beyond previously known zones, highlighting the considerable upside potential that remains largely untapped since the last major exploration activities in the late 1980s.
The Jaws deposit itself carries a historical, non-JORC compliant resource estimate of approximately 3.4 million tonnes at 2.38 grams per tonne gold, equating to roughly 285,000 ounces of gold. Importantly, this resource remains open in all directions, suggesting that the deposit could be substantially larger than currently understood. Manhattan’s recent fieldwork has identified mineralization hosted within significant shear zones both inside and outside the known deposit boundaries, which could translate into meaningful resource expansion.
Comprehensive Sampling and Upcoming Assays
During the field programme, Manhattan collected over 60 rock chip samples across multiple high-priority targets including the Jaws and Vesper gold zones, the Quantum and Lotus vein systems, and several volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) prospects such as Skyfall and Spectre. These samples represent a modern dataset that will provide fresh insights into the mineralization styles and grades across the project area. Assay results are anticipated in September 2025, which will be closely watched by investors and analysts eager to gauge the quality and extent of mineralization.
Notably, the Quantum and Lotus vein systems have never been drill tested, offering new frontiers for exploration. The polymetallic VMS targets, including Skyfall and Spectre, also present exciting opportunities given their proximity to the Jaws deposit and the presence of copper, zinc, silver, and lead mineralization identified in historic drilling.
Pioneering Geophysical Survey and Historical Data Integration
In a first for the Hook Lake tenure, Manhattan is set to undertake a high-resolution fixed-wing magnetic survey covering over 11,500 line kilometres. This survey, with tight line spacing and infill over known mineralized zones, aims to refine geological models and identify new targets ahead of the planned maiden drilling campaign in April 2026. The integration of this geophysical data with historic drill collar locations, now accurately GPS-referenced, and well-preserved diamond drill core recovered on site, positions Manhattan to efficiently target its upcoming drill programme.
The company is also engaging with local communities, including residents of Arviat, to leverage local expertise and labour, underscoring a commitment to responsible and collaborative exploration practices in Nunavut.
Looking Ahead – Drilling and Resource Verification
While the historical resource estimate provides a compelling exploration target, Manhattan is clear that this figure is not compliant with current JORC standards and requires verification. The upcoming drilling campaign will be critical in confirming and potentially expanding the resource base, with modern sampling and quality control protocols in place. The company’s CEO, Kell Nielsen, emphasized the excitement around the project’s potential and the groundwork laid by recent activities to accelerate exploration progress.
Overall, Manhattan’s maiden fieldwork at Hook Lake has delivered promising early results and set a robust platform for the next phase of exploration. The combination of new geological data, advanced geophysical surveying, and community engagement bodes well for unlocking the project’s value.
Bottom Line?
Manhattan’s Hook Lake project is poised for a transformative exploration phase, with assay results and drilling in 2026 set to clarify its true resource potential.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the September assay results confirm high-grade gold mineralization across new shear zones?
- How will the high-resolution magnetic survey reshape target prioritization and drilling plans?
- Can Manhattan successfully convert the historic non-JORC resource into a JORC-compliant mineral resource?