Koba Resources Strikes Gold with Exceptional 21.3% Tin Results at Mt Garnet Project
Koba Resources Limited (ASX: KOB) has delivered sensational initial sampling results from its Mt Garnet Tin-Tungsten Project in Queensland, with rock chip samples returning exceptionally high tin grades up to 21.3%. The company's first reconnaissance fieldwork has revealed widespread, high-grade tin mineralisation across multiple prospects, setting the stage for what could be a significant tin discovery by Koba Resources Ltd in early 2026.
The results have exceeded all expectations, with multiple samples returning double-digit tin grades including 13.9% Sn, 8.8% Sn, and 8.6% Sn with 2.05% tungsten. These extraordinary grades were discovered across a 2km x 0.5km high-tenor tin-in-soil geochemistry anomaly at the Stannex Prospect, which remarkably remains open along strike and has only seen six drill holes in its history.
Stannex Prospect: A Largely Untested Giant
The Stannex Prospect has emerged as Koba's highest-priority target, located just 1km east of the historic Gilmore Tin Mine – the largest individual tin producer on the company's tenure with past production of 26,169 tonnes at 7.6% Sn. What makes Stannex particularly compelling is the combination of exceptional surface grades and minimal historical drilling.
The prospect sits on a massive 2km x 0.5km tin-in-soil anomaly that was first identified in the 1970s but never adequately tested. Despite this enormous footprint, only six holes totalling 756 metres have ever been drilled at Stannex.
This limited drilling has already intersected significant mineralisation, including 11.6m @ 0.30% Sn from 64.4m (including 0.8m @ 1.5% Sn), 1.0m @ 0.98% Sn from 146.5m, 11.1m @ 0.15% Sn from 11.1m, and 6.2m @ 0.24% Sn from 95.9m.
| Historical Drilling Highlights | Grade (% Sn) | Width (m) | Depth (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best intersection | 0.30 | 11.6 | 64.4 |
| High-grade zone | 1.50 | 0.8 | – |
| Secondary intersection | 0.98 | 1.0 | 146.5 |
| Near-surface zone | 0.15 | 11.1 | 11.1 |
"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. Only six holes have ever been drilled within this sizeable soil anomaly – so there is considerable potential to discover significant mineralisation at depth." – Ben Vallerine, Managing Director
Multi-Prospect Success Across Mt Garnet
Beyond Stannex, Koba's systematic sampling has delivered impressive results across multiple prospects within the Mt Garnet Project, supporting the potential for a broader tin discovery by Koba Resources Ltd.
Brownville Prospect Shows Exceptional Promise
The Brownville cluster of historical tin workings, anchored by the Excelsior Mine (historic production: 14,000t @ 1.2% Sn), returned exceptional results. Furthermore, the sampling programme revealed grades of 7.3% Sn, 2.5% Sn, 2.4% Sn, and 1.2% Sn across the prospect area.
General Gordon Prospect Warrants Further Investigation
Initial sampling at the General Gordon Mine area yielded encouraging results up to 1.0% Sn, warranting further investigation. Moreover, the results suggest potential for additional discoveries along this trend.
Bonus Metals Discovery Potential
In addition to tin, the sampling programme has revealed significant potential for silver-indium mineralisation (similar to nearby Iltani Resources' Orient Deposit) and tungsten mineralisation (comparable to EQ Resources' Wolfram Camp Deposit). Results included silver grades up to 132 g/t, indium up to 500g/t, copper up to 11.8%, and tungsten up to 2.0%.
Understanding Tin Exploration: Why These Results Matter
Tin Grade Significance: Tin grades are typically much lower than other base metals due to tin's high value and the nature of tin deposits. Commercial tin mines often operate on grades between 0.2-1.0% Sn, making Koba's results of 13.9% and 21.3% Sn exceptionally high-grade by industry standards.
Geochemical Anomalies: Soil geochemistry creates a "halo effect" around buried mineralisation. The 2km x 0.5km anomaly at Stannex suggests a large mineralised system at depth, with the surface sampling confirming the presence of exceptional tin concentrations.
Historical Context: The Mt Garnet area is part of the prolific Herberton Tin Field, which has produced tin for over a century. However, modern exploration techniques and systematic drilling have been limited, creating significant discovery potential for companies like Koba.
Strategic Timeline: Drilling Programme Targeting Early 2026
Koba has outlined an aggressive exploration timeline designed to capitalise on these exceptional results. The company's systematic approach demonstrates commitment to maximising the potential tin discovery by Koba Resources Ltd.
Immediate Priorities (December 2025)
The immediate focus includes extensional soil sampling at Stannex to expand the 2km x 0.5km anomaly northwest. Additionally, systematic soil sampling at Stannary Hills Project along the Kitchener trend will commence, alongside continued target refinement and prioritisation.
Early 2026 Objectives
The early 2026 objectives centre on the maiden drilling programme targeting highest-priority prospects. Furthermore, Induced Polarisation (IP) surveys will identify additional targets, whilst project-wide geological mapping will develop a robust target pipeline.
The company is particularly focused on the Kitchener trend at Stannary Hills, which hosts seven high-grade historical tin mines over 1.3km of strike. These mines collectively produced approximately 120,000 tonnes of ore at 2.3% Sn.
Investment Thesis: Exceptional Discovery Potential in Proven Tin District
Koba Resources presents a compelling investment opportunity built on several key strengths, positioning the potential tin discovery by Koba Resources Ltd as a significant value creator.
Why the Proven Tin District Matters
The Mt Garnet and Stannary Hills projects sit within the Herberton Tin Field, one of Queensland's most productive tin regions. Consequently, the area's geological setting and historical production provide strong validation for continued exploration success.
Underexplored Assets Represent Blue-Sky Potential
Despite the exceptional historical production and recent high-grade surface results, both projects remain dramatically underexplored by modern standards. The combination of large-scale geochemical anomalies with minimal drilling creates significant blue-sky potential.
Multiple Discovery Vectors Enhance Value
Beyond tin, the projects offer exposure to tungsten, silver, indium, and copper mineralisation. This diversified metal exposure provides multiple pathways to discovery and development, therefore reducing exploration risk.
Experienced Management Drives Success
The exploration programme is led by Ben Vallerine, a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists with relevant experience in tin-tungsten exploration and development. His expertise ensures systematic and effective exploration methodologies.
Why Investors Should Track Koba Resources
The combination of exceptional surface grades, minimal historical drilling, and systematic modern exploration positions Koba as a potential standout in the tin exploration sector. With tin prices remaining strong due to supply constraints and growing industrial demand, successful resource definition could deliver significant value creation.
| Key Investment Metrics | Details |
|---|---|
| Maximum Tin Grade | 21.3% Sn |
| Project Area | 432.4 sq km across 7 licences |
| Historical Production | 26,169t @ 7.6% Sn (Gilmore Mine) |
| Drill Testing | Commencing early 2026 |
| Additional Projects | Stannary Hills (120,000t @ 2.3% Sn historic) |
Near-term catalysts include extensional soil sampling results, IP survey outcomes, and the commencement of the maiden drilling programme. With the tin market experiencing supply tightness and growing demand from renewable energy applications, Koba's timing appears optimal for potential discovery success.
Market Timing Advantages
The systematic approach to exploring these underexplored assets, combined with the exceptional initial results, suggests that this tin discovery by Koba Resources Ltd could represent a significant breakthrough in Australia's tin exploration sector. The early 2026 drilling programme will be a pivotal catalyst for unlocking the value of these historically productive but minimally tested tin districts.
"Koba Resources has demonstrated exceptional tin grades up to 21.3% across largely untested prospects within proven tin districts. With minimal historical drilling and systematic modern exploration commencing, the company offers significant discovery potential in a strengthening tin market. The early 2026 drilling programme will be a pivotal catalyst for unlocking the value of these underexplored assets."
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