Mantle Minerals (ASX:MTL) geophysical work sharpens focus at Yule River
October 22, 2025Mantle Minerals (ASX:MTL) has taken a significant step forward in its Western Australian exploration strategy with new geophysical data defining multiple high-priority mineral targets at its Yule River Project, located 35 kilometres west of Port Hedland.
The work, undertaken by Core Geophysics, represents a technically rigorous approach to unlocking concealed mineral systems beneath transported cover within the Mallina Basin, an area already host to the De Grey Mining Hemi gold deposit.
Highlights
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Eleven new targets identified across the Yule River Project, prospective for VHMS, orogenic gold and magmatic Ni-Cu-PGE systems.
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Target YR1 confirmed as the highest-priority VHMS feeder target, coincident with historical gold anomalism.
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Ground gravity survey to commence over YR1 to model subsurface density and refine drill targets for 2026.
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Parallel data compilation underway at the Pardoo Project and new tenure staked at Carlton Hill in the north Kimberley.
Geophysical Definition of a Hidden Greenstone Belt
Core Geophysics’ reinterpretation of high-resolution airborne magnetic data has mapped extensions to a concealed greenstone belt comprising mafic and ultramafic sequences, felsic volcanics and metasediments intruded by felsic to intermediate bodies.
These intrusive phases likely acted as hydrothermal heat sources for mineralisation, while transported cover of up to 80 metres has obscured surface indicators, making advanced geophysical tools essential for targeting mineralised systems.
The study delineated eleven discrete targets (YR1–YR11), grouped into three mineral system categories: VHMS feeder and alteration systems, orogenic gold structures along major shear zones, and a magmatic Ni-Cu-PGE system.
Target YR1, in particular, coincides with historical Western Mining Corporation drillhole MDRC 4, which intersected talc, antigorite, magnetite and hematite alteration with 46 parts per billion gold anomalism.
This mineralogical assemblage is consistent with oxidising, silica-rich fluids typical of VHMS feeder zones.
Technical Workflows and Upcoming Field Programs
The next phase involves a ground gravity survey across the YR1 target to map density contrasts associated with massive sulphide or ultramafic bodies.
The results will be integrated into a three-dimensional magnetic and gravity inversion model to better define geometry and depth prior to drilling in 2026.
This multi-disciplinary approach reduces exploration risk and enhances the precision of future drill targeting.
As Non-Executive Director Robert Mosig noted,
“The Yule River interpretation provides the first clear picture of the bedrock architecture beneath deep cover. We now have compelling evidence for potential VHMS, Intrusion related and possibly Orogenic mineralised targets to pursue. Whilst YR1 is already an outstanding VHMS target, the upcoming gravity survey will be pivotal in defining the Company’s first drill program in this highly prospective area.”
Strategic Pipeline Across the Pilbara and Kimberley
Beyond Yule River, Mantle Minerals is advancing two complementary fronts. At Pardoo, 120 kilometres east of Port Hedland, the company is conducting a comprehensive review of historic data to refine targets within the Pardoo Shear Zone, known to host iron-oxide and shear-related base-metal mineralisation.
The Highway Nickel Deposit at Pardoo already holds an Indicated and Inferred Resource of 16.5 million tonnes grading 0.407 percent nickel for 67,005 tonnes of contained metal.
Meanwhile, newly staked ground at Carlton Hill in the north Kimberley extends Mantle’s exposure to carbonate-hosted lead, zinc and silver systems along the underexplored Carlton Shelf.
This area lies 35 kilometres east of Boab Metals’ Sorby Hills deposit, providing geological context for early-stage reconnaissance and remote-sensing programs.
Mantle’s recent technical progress highlights a disciplined and methodical approach to exploration across multiple mineral provinces in Western Australia.
With the Yule River gravity survey imminent and data integration continuing at Pardoo and Carlton Hill, the company is positioned to move from desktop interpretation to high-impact drilling in 2026.
The combination of advanced geophysics, historical datasets and structural understanding provides a solid foundation for defining new base and precious metal systems across the Pilbara and Kimberley regions.
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