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How Will Trek Metals Unlock the Potential of Its High-Grade Manganese Discovery?

Mining By Maxwell Dee 3 min read

Trek Metals is accelerating exploration at its Christmas Creek Project in WA following a high-grade manganese discovery with assays up to 58% Mn, backed by awarded geophysical survey contracts and promising gold drill results.

  • High-grade manganese discovery assays up to 58% Mn
  • Contracts awarded for ground gravity and airborne electromagnetic surveys
  • Field mapping, rock chip, and channel sampling to resume immediately
  • Final 2025 diamond drill assays reveal significant gold intercepts at Martin Prospect
  • Structural review planned to refine future drill targeting
Image source middle. ©

Accelerated Exploration Following Manganese Breakthrough

Trek Metals Limited (ASX – TKM) has announced a swift escalation of exploration activities at its Christmas Creek Project in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, following the recent discovery of exceptionally high-grade manganese mineralisation. Rock chip samples from the discovery returned assays as high as 58% manganese, a grade that has captured significant investor and industry attention.

To build on this momentum, Trek has awarded contracts to Atlas Geophysics and NRG Geophysics to conduct ground gravity and airborne electromagnetic (EM) surveys respectively. These geophysical techniques are well-suited to detecting dense manganese oxides and conductive materials beneath the surface, enabling the company to delineate the extent of the mineralisation rapidly and with precision.

Boots on the Ground and Geophysical Surveys

Alongside the geophysical surveys, Trek is recommencing detailed field mapping, rock chip, and channel sampling to better understand the surface expression of the manganese mineralisation. This integrated approach of combining geophysical data with direct sampling is designed to inform a robust drill program aimed at testing the discovery at depth and along strike.

CEO Derek Marshall emphasised the significance of the find, noting that preliminary petrophysical testing confirmed the suitability of gravity and EM methods to detect the mineralisation. He described the discovery as a potential “game changer” for the company, underscoring the board’s commitment to fast-tracking exploration efforts.

Gold Drilling Results Add to Project Potential

In parallel with manganese exploration, Trek has released final assay results from its 2025 diamond drilling program at the Martin Prospect within the Christmas Creek Project. The drilling returned high-grade gold intercepts, including 0.3 meters at 34.5 grams per tonne and broader zones exceeding 1 gram per tonne over several meters. These results provide valuable detail on the mineralised vein structures and will feed into a detailed structural review scheduled to commence shortly.

This structural analysis aims to refine the understanding of gold and copper-gold mineralisation controls, guiding future drill targeting and potentially unlocking further resource upside across the project’s multiple prospects, including Coogan, Zahn, and Turner.

Strategic Location and Project Outlook

The Christmas Creek Project sits at a geologically significant intersection of major tectonic lineaments in the Kimberley region, offering a district-scale opportunity for gold, copper-gold, and manganese deposits. Previously part of Newmont’s exploration portfolio, the project benefits from extensive historical data and recent exploration advances by Trek.

With over 10,000 meters of drilling completed in 2025 and ongoing integration of geochemical, geological, and geophysical datasets, Trek is well-positioned to advance its understanding of this underexplored region. The combination of high-grade manganese discovery and encouraging gold results could elevate the project’s profile significantly.

Next Steps and Market Implications

Trek plans to complete the airborne EM and ground gravity surveys in the coming weeks, alongside continued fieldwork and structural studies. These efforts will culminate in targeted drilling campaigns designed to test the scale and continuity of both manganese and gold mineralisation. Investors will be watching closely as these results unfold, potentially reshaping the valuation and strategic direction of the Christmas Creek Project.

Bottom Line?

Trek Metals’ rapid follow-up on its high-grade manganese discovery signals a pivotal phase for Christmas Creek, with upcoming geophysical results poised to define its true potential.

Questions in the middle?

  • What will the geophysical surveys reveal about the size and depth of the manganese mineralisation?
  • How will the structural review of gold drill core influence future drilling strategies?
  • Could the manganese discovery shift Trek’s focus or resource prioritisation within the Christmas Creek Project?