Manhattan Gold (ASX:MHC) expands Hook Lake gold exploration project footprint in Nunavut
Manhattan Gold has expanded its land position at the Hook Lake gold exploration project in Nunavut after receiving approval from the Kivalliq Inuit Association to broaden its existing mineral exploration agreement with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated.
The updated agreement increases the company’s exposure across Inuit owned land as field activity prepares to ramp up, with camp mobilisation underway and drilling scheduled to begin following site establishment.
Highlights
- Approval received from the Kivalliq Inuit Association for a 15km² expansion across Inuit owned land parcels AR-16 and AR-25
- Expanded area captures the remaining Banded Iron Formation, which hosts shear zones and associated folding targeted for further gold mineralisation
- Manhattan now holds a 100% mineral interest over Inuit owned land parcels totalling 338km² for a period of 20 years
- Total exploration rights across the company’s broader Canadian landholding now span approximately 665km²
- Reverse circulation drilling will commence immediately following camp setup, while airborne magnetic surveying is set to resume within coming weeks
The updated mineral exploration agreement is administered through Manhattan’s wholly owned Canadian subsidiary, 6106 Resources Ltd, and expands Inuit owned land parcels AR-16 and AR-25 at Hook Lake to 338km².
The additional parcels are located along strike to the southeast and partly southwest of the company’s key orogenic gold and polymetallic prospects, including Jaws, Omega and Spectre.
The expanded ground adjoins Manhattan’s existing project boundary within the Rankin-Ennadai Greenstone Belt, which the company said hosts significant gold mineralisation across the Kivalliq region.
The additional area captures the remaining Banded Iron Formation, which hosts important shear zones and associated folding, and lifts Manhattan’s total exploration rights across Canada to approximately 665km².
Hook Lake has received approval from the Arviat Community Lands and Resource Committee, the Hamlet of Arviat, the Kivalliq Inuit Association and the Nunavut Impact Review Board, with Manhattan saying the updated agreement underlines continued community and regulatory support for the Hook Lake Project.
Manhattan Technical Advisor Eric Sondergaard commented on the expanded agreement and upcoming exploration activities at Hook Lake.
“With the expanded tenure secured, our airborne magnetic survey and drilling program commencing imminently, Manhattan is exceptionally well positioned to systematically test the scale of the gold and polymetallic system at Hook Lake.”
The company said logistics and camp establishment activities are underway for the 2026 exploration season, with reverse circulation drilling set to commence across its high grade orogenic gold and polymetallic prospects once camp setup is complete, while the airborne magnetic survey will provide modern geophysical data to refine and prioritise drill targets across the expanded footprint.
Manhattan said it expects to provide further updates as field activities progress, including drill results as they are received and assayed.