Trek Metals has completed its maiden manganese drilling at the Kuro discovery in WA, with visual manganese logged in 63 of 72 holes. The drilling confirms Induced Polarisation as an effective tool for uncovering concealed manganese mineralisation, with assay results expected by early August.
- Maiden RC drilling program confirms widespread visual manganese at Kuro
- Strong correlation between IP chargeability anomalies and manganese intercepts
- Additional IP surveys underway to expand target areas
- Corporate changes include Chair succession and new Exploration Manager
- Cash position of $14.32 million supports ongoing exploration
Visual Manganese Mineralisation Dominates Maiden Drilling at Kuro
Trek Metals (ASX:TKM) has delivered a promising start to its maiden manganese drilling campaign at the Kuro discovery within the Christmas Creek Project in Western Australia. The company completed 72 reverse circulation (RC) holes, logging visual manganese mineralisation in 63 of them, signalling broad zones of manganese across multiple locations.
While assay results are still pending, expected by early August, the visual observations indicate significant intercepts including up to 18 metres of massive and semi-massive manganese in individual holes. These findings suggest the potential emergence of a new Woodie Woodie-style manganese district in the Kimberley region.
Induced Polarisation Validated as a Targeting Tool
Crucially, the drilling has validated Induced Polarisation (IP) surveying as a highly effective method for targeting manganese mineralisation concealed beneath shallow sand cover. The strong positive correlation between IP chargeability anomalies and visual manganese intercepts allowed the company to extend IP surveys beyond initial drilling areas.
The IP crew has been remobilised to conduct additional Gradient Array Induced Polarisation (GAIP) surveys to the south-east, east, and west of the existing drill sites, aiming to delineate further prospective zones within the interpreted Neoproterozoic basin that hosts the Kuro prospect.
Exploration Progress at Coogan Gold-Copper Prospect
Beyond manganese, Trek is advancing exploration at the Coogan Gold-Copper Prospect, located about 7km northwest of Kuro. Recent Dipole-Dipole IP surveys have identified a moderate-to-strong chargeability anomaly beneath known mineralised zones, suggesting the presence of disseminated to semi-massive sulphides at depth.
The anomaly remains open at depth and along strike, prompting a planned four-hole drilling program totalling approximately 1,480 metres to test the system's extensions. The prospect’s multi-element geochemical signature, including copper, gold, bismuth, selenium, tellurium, and molybdenum, points to a polymetallic sulphide-rich system that may strengthen with depth.
Corporate Developments and Financial Position
During the quarter, Trek Metals underwent a planned board succession with Tony Leibowitz retiring as Chair and Director, succeeded by significant shareholder Andrew Reece. Reece has been actively involved on-site during the drilling campaign, providing hands-on support to the exploration team.
The company also appointed Fred Paulus as Exploration Manager, bringing over 15 years of experience from major iron ore projects at Fortescue and Rio Tinto. His expertise is expected to bolster Trek’s exploration efforts following the recent manganese discovery.
Financially, Trek ended the quarter with a solid cash balance of $14.32 million, having spent approximately $1.19 million on exploration and evaluation activities, primarily focused on drilling, geophysical surveys, and heritage compliance at Christmas Creek. The company also secured two co-funded geophysical survey grants worth up to $188,000 from the Western Australian Government’s Exploration Incentive Scheme to extend gravity and magnetics surveys.
Strategic Asset Movements and Regional Prospects
Trek completed the sale of its Pincunah project to Pilbara Gold Limited, receiving cash and equity consideration, allowing the company to concentrate resources on its core projects. Meanwhile, the McEwen Hills Niobium Project in the Northern Territory, adjacent to recent discoveries by WA1 Resources and Encounter Resources, remains a key strategic asset with ongoing negotiations for land access.
The Jimblebar Nickel-Copper-PGE Project in the Pilbara is being advanced through a joint venture with DevEx Resources, which has exercised its option to earn a 75% interest by funding exploration expenditure. This arrangement frees Trek from near-term capital commitments while retaining upside exposure.
Bottom Line?
Trek Metals’ maiden drilling at Kuro and validation of IP targeting mark a pivotal step, but assay results will be critical to confirm the discovery’s economic potential.
Questions in the middle?
- Will upcoming assay results confirm the visual manganese grades and support resource definition at Kuro?
- How will the expanded IP surveys reshape the exploration strategy across the broader Christmas Creek Project?
- What insights will the planned drilling at Coogan provide about the depth and scale of the polymetallic system?