Trek Metals Reports Visible Gold at Christmas Creek, Highlighting Exploration Potential
Trek Metals Limited (ASX: TKM) has disclosed significant advancements at its 100%-owned Christmas Creek Gold Project in Western Australia's Kimberley region. As a potentially transformative moment for the project, a visible gold discovery at Trek Metals has been identified within the Martin Prospect during the latest drilling programme. This discovery, coupled with promising Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling results from multiple targets, underscores the considerable exploration potential of this underexplored greenfield region.
Visible Gold Underscores High-Grade Potential at Martin Prospect
Trek's announcement centres around the discovery of visible gold within diamond drill hole 25XCDD002 at the Martin Prospect. This marks the second recorded instance of a visible gold discovery at Trek Metals' Christmas Creek, reinforcing the prospectivity of the mineral system.
The latest visible gold occurrence is located approximately 515 metres from the 2024 discovery in drill hole 24XCRC097. That initial discovery exhibited high-grade intercepts of 10m @ 12.66g/t Au from 59m and 10m @ 7.34g/t Au from 94m.
The visible gold in drill hole 25XCDD002 was found within quartz veins spanning approximately 5 metres downhole. This area is spatially close to a prior intercept measuring 3m @ 2.03g/t Au from 137m in drill hole NEWXCRC015, indicating significant mineralisation close to previously drilled zones.
| Key Drill Intercepts – Martin Prospect |
|---|
| 24XCRC097: 10m @ 12.66g/t Au from 59m |
| 24XCRC097: 10m @ 7.34g/t Au from 94m |
| 25XCRC001: 4m @ 14.18g/t Au from 43m (inc. 2m @ 27.95g/t Au) |
| 25XCRC005: 3m @ 6.17g/t Au from 94m (inc. 2m @ 9.20g/t Au) |
Derek Marshall, Trek Metals' CEO, remarked: "The identification of visible gold for the second time at Martin further validates Christmas Creek as a potential host for high-grade gold deposits. Results from the diamond core assays, expected in late November, should provide valuable insights into the mineralisation controls and orientation."
How Does Drilling Enhance Prospectivity Across Targets?
Trek's second-phase drilling campaign at Christmas Creek has been extensive, covering 10,169.4 metres across six key prospect areas. Furthermore, this comprehensive approach included:
- 8,563 metres in 69 RC drill holes
- 583.4 metres in three diamond drill holes
- 1,023 metres in RC pre-collars with diamond tails
Recent assay results at Martin have expanded the mineralised zone, particularly with hole 25XCRC040 drilled 200 metres north-east of the main cluster. This hole yielded an intercept of 4m @ 0.55g/t Au from 32m, further supporting the geological interpretation that late-stage faulting may have displaced the gold system.
Mineralisation at Martin could potentially extend over a 1.5 kilometre strike length, which remains largely untested. Consequently, this represents significant upside potential for the visible gold discovery at Trek Metals' Christmas Creek project.
| Recent Drill Results – Martin Cluster |
|---|
| 25XCRC007: 11m @ 0.42g/t Au from 99m |
| 25XCRC007: 4m @ 0.46g/t Au from 116m |
| 25XCRC007: 1m @ 2.97g/t Au from 127m |
| 25XCRC008: 6m @ 0.68g/t Au from 13m |
Zahn Prospect Broadens Exploration Potential
The Zahn Prospect, hosting the largest and most intense gold-in-soil anomaly at Christmas Creek, continues to show promising developments. In addition, the latest drilling data has expanded mineralisation along interpreted structural trends.
| Key Results – Zahn Prospect |
|---|
| 25XCRC031: 12m @ 0.47g/t Au from 32m (inc. 4m @ 0.90g/t Au) |
| 25XCRC032: 12m @ 0.27g/t Au from 16m |
| 25XCRC049: 20m @ 0.19g/t Au from 36m |
Zahn's geological setting, a folded dolerite contact next to a major fault, aligns with well-documented pathways for orogenic gold mineralisation. These settings are particularly significant as the mineralised contacts extend over 4 kilometres and are predominantly untested.
Understanding Orogenic Gold Systems
Orogenic gold systems form a major class of gold deposits globally. However, these deposits develop during tectonic events when gold-bearing fluids travel through deep crustal fractures. These systems are marked by the following features:
- Quartz veins that often host high-grade gold deposits
- Structural corridors that act as fluid pathways
- Wall rock alteration zones, expanding the mineralised footprint
- Stacked vein systems, leading to potential district-scale opportunities
Trek's Christmas Creek Project aligns with these defining traits, reinforced by its combination of structural complexities and the recent visible gold discovery at Trek Metals' operations.
What About Emerging Copper-Gold Potential?
An additional outcome of ongoing investigations has been the recognition of a 10-kilometre intrusion-related copper-gold system connecting the Coogan, Brockhurst, and Jobs prospects. For instance, evidence suggests that:
- Central zones may host gold-copper-bismuth mineralisation
- Halo zones may exhibit lead-zinc mineralisation
This targets a classic metal zonation pattern within large intrusive systems. However, further drilling and geochemical analysis are needed to assess its potential fully.
Outlook: Upcoming Catalysts and Exploration Milestones
Trek Metals is pursuing a meticulous approach to exploration, leveraging geological data to refine targets across Christmas Creek. Moreover, near-term developments include:
By Late November 2025:
- Diamond core assay results
- Structural analysis of gold zones
- Rock chip assay results
- A comprehensive geochemical review
Longer-Term Focus Areas
Furthermore, the company's strategic priorities encompass:
- Target refinement for 2026 drilling campaigns
- Consideration of alternative sampling techniques for challenging geochemistry zones
- Rare earth element (REE) assessments near neighbouring deposits
"Our focus remains on understanding the geological controls driving mineralisation across Christmas Creek, particularly at Martin and Zahn. As data reveals new targets, we continue to evaluate the broader district-scale potential of this project," added CEO Derek Marshall.
Investment Considerations for Christmas Creek
Trek Metals' Christmas Creek Project presents a compelling opportunity for investors, guided by key factors. Notably, the visible gold discovery at Trek Metals reinforces the project's economic potential alongside several other advantages:
- Proven High-Grade Mineralisation: Multiple significant intercepts, such as 27.95g/t Au, highlight economic potential
- Underexplored District: Over 10 kilometres of strike length remain untested across multiple prospects like Zahn and Coogan-Brockhurst-Jobs
- Geological Expertise: The leadership team brings extensive technical experience, supported by detailed field and assay data
| Project Advantages | Christmas Creek | Typical Greenfield Projects |
|---|---|---|
| Past Operator | Newmont Exploration | Varies |
| High-Grade Intercepts | Confirmed (>10g/t Au) | Rare |
| Visible Gold Observations | Yes | Minimal at discovery stage |
| Exploration Database | Extensive | Limited |
What Does This Mean for the Future?
With visible gold confirmed, significant intercepts reported, and strategic exploration methodologies in place, Trek Metals is poised for ongoing advancement at Christmas Creek. The systematic approach to drilling and analysis, complemented by the region's geological setting, positions the company well for potential value creation.
As assay results, structural analyses, and field investigations progress, Christmas Creek's contribution to the Australian resource sector may continue to grow. Consequently, this presents a unique opportunity for informed investors to follow its development trajectory closely.
The recent visible gold discovery at Trek Metals represents more than just another exploration milestone. Instead, it validates the geological model and reinforces the potential for a significant gold discovery in this underexplored region of Western Australia's Kimberley.
Could You Miss the Next High-Grade Gold Discovery?
Discovery Alert's proprietary Discovery IQ model delivers instant notifications on significant ASX mineral discoveries like Trek's visible gold find at Christmas Creek, empowering subscribers to identify actionable opportunities ahead of the broader market. Explore how major mineral discoveries can generate substantial returns and begin your 30-day free trial today to secure your market-leading advantage.
