Manhattan Gold Corporation (ASX:MHC) Hook Lake Project advances with drilling approval and grant

Manhattan Gold Corporation has secured key regulatory and financial milestones for its Hook Lake Project in Nunavut, Canada, advancing the company toward its maiden reverse circulation (RC) drilling programme.

Approval from the Kivalliq Inuit Association allows construction of the exploration camp and drilling on Inuit Owned Lands, while the Federal Minister’s acceptance of the Nunavut Impact Review Board’s positive screening decision grants exploration approval for a period of seven years.

The company has also received a CA$250,000 cash grant through the Discover, Invest, Grow Program, directly supporting the planned 4,000m RC drilling campaign and reinforcing Nunavut as a favourable jurisdiction for early-stage exploration.

Highlights

• Final approvals obtained from the Kivalliq Inuit Association to construct the camp and commence RC drilling on Inuit Owned Lands at Hook Lake.
• Positive screening decision by NIRB accepted by the Federal Minister, allowing exploration for seven years.
• Camp mobilisation has commenced, with RC drilling scheduled to begin immediately following setup.
• CA$250,000 grant awarded to fund the maiden 4,000m drilling programme.
• Project located within the Rankin-Ennadai Greenstone Belt, covering 665 km², one of Canada’s largest greenstone belts.

Following issuance of formal land and water use permits to its subsidiary, 6106 Resources Limited, Manhattan has mobilised camp infrastructure on site, positioning the company to commence drilling as soon as setup is complete.

The funding from the DIG Program provides tangible support for early-stage exploration and underscores the Government of Nunavut’s commitment to a sustainable mineral exploration sector, while also highlighting the strategic importance of the Hook Lake Project within a tier 1 Canadian jurisdiction.

Geologically, Hook Lake lies within the Rankin-Ennadai Greenstone Belt, a rapidly emerging region for mineral exploration and mining.

Manhattan’s operational plan combines structured exploration with a clear regulatory framework, providing a platform for safe and efficient field operations while offering access to prospective gold and polymetallic mineralisation and ensuring permitting and Indigenous engagement protocols provide certainty for operational planning.

Manhattan Technical Advisor, Eric Sondergaard said:

“We welcome the Minister’s acceptance of NIRB’s positive screening decision and the approval from the Kivalliq Inuit Association to construct camp and commence RC drilling activities on Inuit Owned Lands. These are important milestones for Manhattan and confirm that the Hook Lake Project can now move into the next phase of exploration”.

The company’s execution strategy incorporates safe camp mobilisation, field schedule adjustments following late-season weather, and the maiden 4,000m RC drilling program targeting high-priority exploration targets.

Manhattan maintains a parallel portfolio with the Tibooburra Project in New South Wales, Australia, within the emerging Koonenberry Gold District, complementing its Canadian operations and expanding optionality for future exploration success.

Looking ahead, the Hook Lake Project represents a significant opportunity for Manhattan to generate geological data, test exploration targets, and establish a foundation for potential resource definition.

Regulatory certainty, financial support, and favourable geology position the company to advance exploration efficiently while contributing to Nunavut’s emerging mineral sector.