Koba Resources Delivers Exceptional 21.3% Tin Grades in Queensland Breakthrough
Koba Resources Limited (ASX: KOB) has reported extraordinary tin assay results from its inaugural rock chip sampling program at the Mt Garnet Tin-Tungsten Project in Queensland, with standout grades including 21.3% tin – results that dramatically validate the company's strategic acquisition and position it as a serious player in Australia's critical minerals sector.
The reconnaissance sampling program, covering five prospects across 66 samples, has confirmed widespread high-grade tin mineralisation across a 2km x 0.5km soil anomaly at the Stannex Prospect. Furthermore, the anomaly remains open along strike and offers significant expansion potential.
Exceptional Grades Confirm Historical Promise
The Koba Resources tin results have exceeded expectations, delivering multiple ultra-high-grade intercepts that establish the project as a standout opportunity in Queensland's established tin province. Moreover, the sampling program returned impressive results including 21.3% Sn (Stannex Prospect) and 13.9% Sn (Gilmore Mine area).
Additionally, the sampling program yielded:
- 8.8% Sn (Stannex Prospect)
- 8.6% Sn & 2.05% W (Gilmore Mine area)
- 7.9% Sn (Stannex Prospect)
- 7.1% Sn (Stannex Prospect)
The sampling has also returned exceptional by-product grades including silver up to 132 g/t, indium up to 500g/t, copper up to 11.8%, and tungsten up to 2.0%. Consequently, this confirms multi-commodity potential that could substantially enhance project economics.
Management Commentary on the Discovery
"We are very encouraged by the extensive high-grade, surface mineralisation sampled as part of our first field program at the Mt Garnet Tin-Tungsten Project, with results including 21.3% Sn and 13.9% Sn," said Managing Director Ben Vallerine. "Our sampling has demonstrated that widespread, high-grade tin mineralisation is associated with an historical 2km by 0.5km very-strong tin-in-soil anomaly at the Stannex Prospect, which remains open along strike."
Minimal Historical Drilling Creates Exceptional Discovery Opportunity
What makes the Koba Resources tin results particularly compelling is the limited historical exploration at the Stannex Prospect. Notably, only six holes have ever been drilled across the substantial soil anomaly.
However, this minimal drilling previously intersected significant mineralisation including 11.6m @ 0.30% Sn from 64.4m (including 0.8m @ 1.5% Sn) and 1.0m @ 0.98% Sn from 146.5m. In addition, drilling returned 11.1m @ 0.15% Sn from 11.1m and 6.2m @ 0.24% Sn from 95.9m.
No follow-up drilling was ever undertaken despite these encouraging intersections. Therefore, this creates what appears to be a significant opportunity for Koba to unlock value through systematic exploration.
| Prospect | Historical Production | Drilling Completed | Key Opportunity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stannex | None – greenfields | 6 holes only | 2km strike length open |
| Gilmore Mine | 26,169t @ 7.6% Sn | Minimal | Adjacent to Stannex anomaly |
| Brownville | 14,000t @ 1.2% Sn | Limited | Multiple high-grade samples |
Understanding Tin Exploration: What These Grades Mean
To understand the significance of the Koba Resources tin results, it's essential to understand how tin mineralisation is evaluated and what these grades represent in commercial terms.
Tin grading in exploration is measured as a percentage of the rock sample. For instance, commercial tin mines typically operate at grades between 0.3% – 1.5% Sn, while high-grade tin deposits generally exceed 2% Sn. Furthermore, exceptional grades above 10% Sn are rare and indicate extremely rich mineralisation.
Exceptional Grade Significance
Koba's 21.3% tin result represents extraordinary mineralisation intensity – approximately 14 times higher than typical commercial grades. Such surface grades often indicate substantial mineralised systems at depth, particularly when associated with large geochemical anomalies as seen at Stannex.
Cassiterite (tin oxide) is the primary tin mineral being targeted. This mineral occurs naturally in granite-hosted veins and altered zones where hot fluids have changed the original rock composition – precisely the geological setting found at Mt Garnet.
These systems can extend considerable distances both horizontally and vertically, creating large-scale mining opportunities. Moreover, multi-commodity potential adds significant value to tin projects.
The presence of indium, silver, tungsten, and copper in the same mineralised system creates multiple revenue streams. Consequently, this reduces dependency on single commodity prices.
Strategic Positioning in Critical Minerals Hub
The Mt Garnet and Stannary Hills projects position Koba within Queensland's Herberton Tin Field – a historically significant tin province hosting multiple world-class deposits. The region benefits from established infrastructure and mining history, proximity to key processing facilities, and strong geological understanding of tin systems.
Additionally, the region enjoys government support for critical minerals development. The multi-commodity potential adds significant value, with indium and silver commanding premium prices in technology applications.
Meanwhile, tungsten offers exposure to defence and aerospace markets, creating additional revenue potential for the project.
How Does Queensland's Tin Discovery Compare to Global Projects?
The Koba Resources tin results place the Mt Garnet project among the highest-grade tin discoveries globally. For comparison, world-class tin operations such as Yunnan Tin's mines in China typically operate at grades between 1-3% Sn.
Similarly, major tin projects in Bolivia and Peru generally target grades exceeding 1% Sn for commercial viability. Therefore, Koba's surface grades of up to 21.3% tin represent exceptional mineralisation that could support high-margin operations.
The multi-commodity nature of the mineralisation further enhances the project's competitive position. In particular, the presence of indium up to 500g/t is significant, as indium commands prices exceeding $200 per kilogram and is essential for touchscreen technology.
Accelerated Path to Drilling
Koba has outlined an aggressive work program leading to maiden drilling in early 2026, designed to capitalise on the exceptional surface results. The program includes extension soil sampling at Stannex Prospect in December 2025, followed by systematic soil sampling at Stannary Hills Project.
Subsequently, early 2026 will see Induced Polarisation (IP) surveys to refine targets, geological mapping across project areas, and commencement of the maiden drilling program.
Priority Target Areas
The Stannex Prospect represents the priority target with 2km strike potential. Furthermore, the Kitchener Trend features seven historical high-grade mines over 1.3km, whilst the Brownville Prospect shows multiple high-grade surface samples.
| Upcoming Milestones | Timeline | Expected Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| Extension soil sampling | December 2025 | Define drill target extensions |
| IP surveys | Q1 2026 | Prioritise drilling locations |
| Maiden drilling | March 2026 | Initial resource definition |
Why Should Investors Track Koba Resources?
Koba Resources has positioned itself for potential value creation through several key factors that distinguish it in the critical minerals sector. The combination of ultra-high-grade surface samples (21.3% Sn) with minimal historical drilling creates a rare exploration opportunity in an established tin province.
Multi-Commodity Exposure Benefits
Beyond tin, the projects offer exposure to silver, indium, copper, and tungsten – providing multiple value drivers and reduced commodity risk. Tin is classified as a critical mineral by multiple governments, with growing demand from renewable energy, electronics, and defence applications driving long-term price support.
The rapid advancement from acquisition to high-grade results demonstrates management's ability to execute systematic exploration programs efficiently. Moreover, with drilling planned for early 2026 and ongoing sampling programs, investors can expect regular newsflow and potential value inflection points.
Investment Tracking Rationale
Koba Resources has assembled a portfolio of high-potential tin-tungsten projects in a proven geological province, with initial sampling confirming exceptional grades and minimal historical drilling creating significant discovery upside.
The company's systematic approach to target development and clear path to maiden drilling positions it as a compelling critical minerals play with multiple near-term catalysts.
The combination of world-class tin grades, minimal historical exploration, and systematic development approach makes Koba Resources a standout opportunity in Australia's critical minerals sector. Therefore, the company has the potential for significant value creation as it advances toward resource definition.
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