Trek Metals Validates IP Targeting with Extensive Manganese at Kuro and Eyes Coogan Copper-Gold
Trek Metals has confirmed that Induced Polarisation (IP) surveying effectively targets concealed manganese mineralisation at its Kuro prospect, with visual manganese found in 43 of 51 recent drill holes. The company also identified a strong IP anomaly at the Coogan copper-gold prospect, planning four drill holes to test it.
- Visual manganese mineralisation in 43 of 51 RC holes at Kuro
- IP chargeability anomalies proven effective for undercover manganese targeting
- Significant intercepts include up to 15 metres of massive and semi-massive manganese
- Strong IP target at Coogan copper-gold prospect with drilling planned
- Ongoing exploration includes gold, copper-gold, and rare earth element soil anomaly testing
IP Survey Validates Concealed Manganese Targeting at Kuro
Trek Metals (ASX:TKM) has taken a significant step forward in its Christmas Creek manganese project by validating Induced Polarisation (IP) geophysical surveying as a highly effective tool to locate concealed manganese mineralisation beneath shallow sand cover at the Kuro prospect. Visual manganese mineralisation was logged in 43 of 51 recent Reverse Circulation (RC) drill holes, confirming a strong correlation between IP chargeability anomalies and manganese zones.
The drilling program has uncovered substantial intercepts, including 15 metres of massive and semi-massive manganese from 11 metres down-hole in one hole, and multiple other intercepts exceeding 8 metres in length. These results suggest the presence of hydrothermal Woodie Woodie-style mineralisation pods, with strike extents of up to 400 metres and apparent widths around 50 metres.
Visual Mineralisation Highlights and Assay Expectations
While visual estimates of manganese abundance provide encouraging early indicators, Trek cautions these are no substitute for laboratory assays, which are pending. The first batch of assay results from ALS laboratories is expected within 1-2 weeks, with subsequent batches over the following months. These assays will be critical to quantify grades and assess economic potential.
CEO Derek Marshall emphasised the importance of IP as a targeting method, noting that most manganese intersections lie beneath cover with no surface expression. This breakthrough allows systematic exploration beyond known outcrops across a prospective 16-kilometre basin, where ongoing IP surveys are expanding the target area.
New Copper-Gold Target Emerges at Coogan Prospect
Beyond manganese, Trek has identified a strong IP chargeability anomaly at the Coogan copper-gold prospect, about 7 kilometres northwest of Kuro. Historical drilling intersected persistent sulphide zones with elevated copper, zinc, lead, silver, and molybdenum, suggesting a polymetallic sulphide-rich system.
The recent Dipole-Dipole IP survey delineated a moderate-to-strong anomaly extending beyond previous drilling, interpreted as a sulphide mineralised zone open at depth and along strike. Trek plans to drill four holes totaling approximately 1,480 metres to test the depth extensions of this system, prioritising areas with molybdenum enrichment.
Broader Exploration and Next Steps
In parallel with Kuro and Coogan, the RC drill rig is testing soil anomalies prospective for gold, copper-gold, and rare earth elements (REE), reflecting a diversified exploration approach within the Christmas Creek Project. The rig will return to Kuro for a second phase of drilling after initial assay results and further IP data are received.
Trek’s methodical approach, combining geophysical targeting with systematic drilling and geochemical sampling, positions it well to unlock the potential of this underexplored region. The upcoming assay results and Coogan drilling outcomes will be pivotal in shaping the project’s next phase.
Bottom Line?
Trek’s confirmation of IP as a reliable tool for undercover manganese targeting at Kuro sets the stage for expanded exploration, while the new Coogan copper-gold IP target adds a fresh dimension to the Christmas Creek Project’s prospectivity.
Questions in the middle?
- Will laboratory assays confirm the visual manganese abundance and define economic grades at Kuro?
- Can the Coogan IP anomaly translate into a significant copper-gold resource with upcoming drilling?
- How extensive is the prospective basin beyond current IP survey coverage, and what other targets might emerge?
