Trek Metals’ maiden drilling at the Kuro manganese discovery continues to reveal significant visual mineralisation aligned with Induced Polarisation (IP) anomalies, validating IP as an effective tool for undercover manganese targeting.
- Visual manganese intersected in six new RC drill holes
- IP chargeability anomalies correlate strongly with mineralisation
- Expanded IP surveys underway to extend target areas
- Samples dispatched for assays with results expected in weeks
- Mineralisation hosted in Neoproterozoic basin sediments akin to Woodie Woodie
Visual Manganese Mineralisation Validates IP Targeting
Trek Metals Limited (ASX:TKM) has reported further progress at its Kuro manganese discovery in Western Australia's Kimberley region, with six additional Reverse Circulation (RC) drill holes intersecting significant zones of visual manganese mineralisation. These latest results reinforce a compelling correlation between manganese mineralisation and Induced Polarisation (IP) chargeability highs identified in a recent geophysical survey. This breakthrough establishes IP surveying as a highly effective method to pinpoint manganese deposits beneath shallow sand cover, a notoriously challenging exploration environment.
Among the standout intercepts, drill-hole 26XCRC018 returned 11 metres of massive manganese from just 5 metres down-hole within a broader 17-metre zone. Similarly, 26XCRC020 yielded 10 metres of massive manganese and 6 metres of semi-massive mineralisation starting at 13 metres, plus an additional 2 metres of semi-massive manganese from 30 metres. Other holes demonstrated consistent visual mineralisation, including 8 metres of massive manganese in 26XCRC016 and multiple semi-massive intervals in 26XCRC019, 26XCRC021, and 26XCRC017.
Expanding Geophysical Surveys and Drilling Program
Following the encouraging drilling outcomes, Trek has re-mobilised the Moombarriga IP crew to the site to extend the Gradient Array IP survey, targeting an expanded area to the southeast, east, and west of the current drilling footprint. This strategic move aims to identify additional chargeability anomalies that could signal further manganese mineralisation.
The company has dispatched the first batch of drill samples to ALS laboratories for priority analysis, with assay results anticipated within 3 to 5 weeks. While visual estimates provide an early indication of mineral presence, Trek cautions that these are not a substitute for laboratory assays, which will confirm manganese concentrations and assess impurities critical to valuation.
Geological Setting Mirrors Woodie Woodie District
Trek’s CEO Derek Marshall highlighted that the manganese mineralisation appears hosted within younger Neoproterozoic basin sediments overlaying a Palaeoproterozoic basement. This geological setting closely resembles the world-class Woodie Woodie manganese district in the Pilbara, suggesting potential for a substantial discovery. Preliminary gravity data indicates a prospective Neoproterozoic sub-basin extending over 16 kilometres westward beneath sand cover, presenting a vast exploration target area for further IP surveying and drilling.
Ongoing Drilling to Define Scale and Continuity
With 21 RC holes completed so far, all eight holes targeting IP chargeability features have intersected visual manganese mineralisation, underscoring the consistency of the geophysical targeting approach. Drilling continues to focus on infill and step-out holes around the eastern portion of the current mineralised zone to better understand the scale and continuity of the deposit. Parallel IP surveys are set to expand the search for new chargeability anomalies that will drive future drilling campaigns.
While the true width of mineralisation remains undetermined at this early stage, the combination of visual logging and geophysical data provides a promising framework for delineating potentially economic manganese mineralisation beneath cover. The company’s methodical approach integrating drilling and geophysics aims to accelerate the definition of a significant manganese resource.
Bottom Line?
Trek Metals’ validated IP targeting at Kuro unlocks a new frontier for undercover manganese exploration, with assay results and expanded geophysics poised to clarify the discovery’s potential.
Questions in the middle?
- Will laboratory assays confirm the high-grade visual manganese observed in drilling?
- How extensive is the manganese mineralisation beneath the sand cover beyond current drill areas?
- Can the IP chargeability method reliably identify economic-grade mineralisation at depth?