Thunderbird Resources (ASX: THB) – Kookabookra Gold Exploration Project - Primed for #SamsoDYOR.
- Noel Ong
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
Announcement
Geophysics Uncovers Multiple Priority Drill Targets at Mannix and Mt Secret
Thunderbird Resources Limited (ASX: THB) has outlined multiple high-priority drill targets at its 100%-owned Kookabookra Gold Project in NSW, following strong results from a recent GAIP survey (Figure 1). Conducted over the Mannix and Mt Secret prospects, the survey defined compelling chargeability anomalies closely linked to favourable structures, geological contacts, and gold-in-soil geochemistry. With several of these anomalies in areas never previously drill tested, the Company is now preparing for its maiden drilling program in Q4 2025.
Figure 1: Kookabookra Gold Project in north-eastern New South Wales (source: THB)
Highlights - Gold Exploration At Its Best.
Multiple Chargeability Anomalies:
Significant anomalies (>10msec) identified at both prospects, considered highly promising drill targets.
Mt Secret – Sulphide Potential:
Two large anomalies in the south-west survey area, adjacent to the Glen Bluff Fault and coincident with geological contacts and gold-in-soil anomalies (>10ppb Au, up to 42ppb Au) (Figure 2). Historical drilling has not tested these areas.
Figure 2: Mt Secret Prospect - IP Chargeability, historical drilling and surface geochemistry (source: THB)
Mannix – Untested Gold-in-Soil Anomaly:
Anomalies in the southern grid are adjacent to an untested gold-in-soil anomaly (>10ppb Au, up to 120ppb Au) (Figure 3). Historic drilling to the north intersected low-grade mineralisation in all 12 holes.
Figure 3: Mannix Prospect – IP Chargeability, historical drilling and surface geochemistry (source: THB)
Exploration Model:
Positive correlation between chargeability anomalies and gold-antimony mineralisation supports potential for intrusion-related and orogenic gold systems, similar to the Hillgrove Sb-Au Project.
Next Steps:
Drill planning is underway, with permits to be lodged in August. Geological mapping and soil sampling will continue at Bear Hill–Butchers Reef, where historical production exceeded 3,000oz at 28g/t Au (Figure 4).
Figure 4: Bear Hill–Butchers Reef Prospects in Kookabookra (source: THB)
Survey Details and Geological Context
The GAIP survey, completed in early July, covered ~1km² with 25m electrode spacing along 50m line intervals. The method detects subsurface chargeability—often indicative of sulphides such as pyrite and arsenopyrite—correlated with gold mineralisation in similar geological settings.
At Mt Secret, three anomalies were defined:
Northern anomaly lies along strike from historic workings and coincides with >10ppb Au in soils.
Two southern anomalies, the largest ~170m in strike, are proximal to structural features and geological contacts between Black Knob Monzogranite and felsic intrusives/metasediments.
At Mannix, chargeability anomalies remain untested by drilling, with the historic program focused on a downslope gold-in-soil anomaly. Several drillholes ended in mineralisation, including 1m @ 1.62g/t Au and 1m @ 3.42g/t Au, but none targeted the geophysical anomalies.
Thunderbird Executive Chairman, George Ventouras, commented:
“These are outstanding results which highlight the huge potential at Kookabookra.
Significantly, the IP targets are close to historical exploration and drilling. With many of the previous holes having intersected mineralisation, we could consider these historic holes to be a ‘near-miss’ and the current planned drill program will aim to properly test the area for significant gold mineralisation.
The combination of results, favourable geology, and known mineralisation points to immense upside at both prospects. And given these targets cover only a small portion of the tenement, the broader potential is significant.”
Next Steps
Thunderbird’s immediate focus is on finalising preparations for its maiden RC drilling program at the Mannix and Mt Secret prospects, with drill permit applications to be lodged in August and drilling scheduled to commence in Q4 2025.
The GAIP survey results will be integrated with geological mapping, soil geochemistry, and rock chip sampling to refine targeting and prioritise drill holes.
In parallel, follow-up exploration at Bear Hill–Butchers Reef will include geochemical soil sampling and detailed mapping, building on historical production of more than 3,000oz of gold at an average grade of 28g/t.
Assay results from 79 rock chip and grab samples collected in June are expected later this month, which will further inform the next phase of work.
Samso Concluding Comments
The journey of the Kookabookra Gold Project has been set, and the targets identified look interesting. The GAIP survey has identified multiple chargeability anomalies in highly favourable geological settings and has placed them alongside known gold-in-soil anomalies and structural features that typically host significant mineralisation. This is a good start to create meaningful potential discoveries in orogenic and intrusion-related gold systems.
Typically, the targeted areas that have never been drill tested, in their proximity to past “near-miss” holes. Thunderbird is effectively re-rating the exploration potential of zones overlooked by previous campaigns. With the maiden RC drilling program set for Q4 2025, the market will soon see whether these targets can deliver the kind of grades and widths that transform early-stage exploration into a serious development story.
Investors should also note the parallel work at Bear Hill–Butchers Reef, where historical high-grade production provides a proven mineralised footprint. The combination of strong geophysical targets, supportive geochemistry, and a district-scale landholding gives Thunderbird multiple shots at discovery. This is an exploration with genuine upside, backed by systematic work and a clear strategy.
Corporate Thoughts
I have been following the company since 2018, when it was called Valor Resources Limited (ASX: VAL), and the reason I am reviewing THB is mainly due to two main factors. The first is that it is now at its all-time low of AUD $0.01 (Figure 5), and since the release of this announcement, the stock has risen to AUD $0.015
Figure 5: The share price chart of THB since 2016. I have known this Thunderbird Resources, then known as Valor Resources Limited, since 2018, and it has pretty much bottomed out in 2025 at AUD $0.01 (source: commsec).
The second reason is that this is a CPS Capital stock, and the shareholders in the company have every interest to make this work as an investment. The market is all about gold, and gold exploration is now the next next thing. The reason is that all the good M&A deals are now completed. The corporate plays are now starting to heat up in the sector, and the story looks set for THB to make its move (Figure 6).
Figure 6: The current share price of AUD$0.015 is a good indication that the scenario is set for the value creation to happen for shareholders. (source of chart: commsec).
The current time for the ASX Micro-Cap sector is looking brighter. The exploration news is now getting investors excited and looking for the next trade. Thunderbird is still only an AUD $5.8M market capitalised company, so the potential upside has not really moved. Hence, for Samso, the #SamsoDYOR potential is still in its infancy.
As always, the real test will come from the drill bit, but the groundwork here has been thorough and technically sound. Kookabookra is entering a critical stage, and for those who understand the value of well-prepared exploration, the months ahead could be particularly telling.
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