Trek Metals (ASX:TKM) reports final phase-one assays from its Kuro prospect, with 38 of 72 holes returning significant manganese (Mn) intercepts above 5%, including 19 averaging above 20% Mn.
The maiden reverse circulation program at the Christmas Creek Project in Western Australia has outlined a shallow system, with all significant intercepts occurring between surface and 37m down-hole.
Standout results from the final batch include 15m @ 20.5% Mn from 6m in hole 26XCRC065, including 7m @ 32.3% Mn from 8m, with a peak 1m assay of 55.1% Mn.
Additional ‘high-grade’ intercepts include the following:
- 3m @ 41.1% Mn from 13m in 26XCRC064 within 6m @ 27.5% Mn from 12m
- 2m @ 40.1% Mn from 9m in 26XCRC058 within 8m @ 19.8% Mn from 8m
- 5m @ 34.6% Mn from 11m in 26XCRC051 within 14m @ 19.5% Mn from 10m
- 3m @ 29.0% Mn from 15m in 26XCRC059 within 12m @ 17.6% Mn from 8m
The interpreted mineralised geometry trends from surface in the northwest and deepens progressively towards the southeast.
Beyond the Kuro discovery
CEO Derek Marshall says the final batch provides further evidence of a significant shallow discovery.
“The final batch of drill assays from phase one provide further evidence that Kuro is a significant shallow, high-grade manganese discovery. We are now looking forward to receiving the results from phase two, which targeted newly generated induced polarisation geophysical anomalies within an area surrounding the phase-one drill area,” Marshall notes.
“With phase one and two drilling now complete, our focus shifts to unlocking the broader potential of Christmas Creek, with field crews moving onto a much larger area to identify areas of interest for additional exploration.
“Not only do we have the local interpreted 30km prospective basin to explore, but we are also commencing regional exploration programs across a highly prospective district that has not previously been recognised as a potential manganese province.”
Phase-two drilling is complete, with assays expected over the next six to eight weeks.
Exploration is expanding beyond Kuro, with ground reconnaissance underway across the Christmas Creek landholding.
At the Leviathan prospect, induced polarisation surveying has identified a bedrock chargeability anomaly near a manganese-rich rock chip. Notably, first-pass rock chips from the survey returned up to 4.6% Mn.
A high-resolution fixed-wing magnetic and radiometric survey has been completed. Data is being processed to refine basin architecture and generate targets across the interpreted 30km prospective basin.
No mineral resource has been estimated for Kuro, as exploration to date has not been sufficient to support one.
Trek Metals is an Australian explorer advancing a portfolio of gold, manganese, and critical mineral assets.
Write to JC Villarba at Mining.com.au
Images: Trek Metals
