Trek Metals (ASX:TKM) has delivered another strong batch of manganese assays from the Kuro Prospect within its Christmas Creek Project in WA, confirming that the shallow, high-grade mineralisation seen in its maiden RC campaign is repeating across the system.
The standout was 7m at 40.2% Mn from 7m, inside a broader 14m at 23.6% Mn from 6m. Other results included 8m at 32.7% Mn from 3m and 6m at 39.0% Mn from 28m.
The grade is repeating
Of the 50 Phase 1 holes assayed so far, 28 have returned significant manganese intervals above 5% Mn.
Sixteen of those contain intercepts averaging above 20% Mn.
All significant mineralisation reported to date sits between surface and just 37m down-hole.
That combination of shallow depth and repeat high grade is what makes Kuro increasingly interesting.
Figure 1: Plan view of Kuro, Gradient Array Induced Polarisation (GAIP) Chargeability anomalism shown.
Quality matters too
The manganese is also coming with relatively low iron and very low phosphorus.
Intercepts above 20% Mn average 3.28% Fe, with the Mn:Fe ratio improving further as grade rises.
It is still early days and no metallurgical or product testwork has been completed yet, but from a raw assay perspective, the chemistry is giving Trek something useful to work with.
Now Trek goes looking for scale
Phase 2 drilling is already underway.
The new ~2,500m RC program is targeting IP anomalies across an area substantially larger than the original Phase 1 footprint.
That is the next real test.
What’s next
The final Phase 1 assays are expected in around two to three weeks, while Phase 2 drilling continues across the broader target area.
Trek is also integrating new magnetic, radiometric and IP data across an interpreted ~30km prospective basin at Christmas Creek.
Kuro has shown grade, now Trek has to prove how far the system goes.
