Black Canyon (ASX:BCA) says results from a dense media separation (DMS) process will be used to inform a Scoping Study currently in progress at the KR1 and KR2 deposits in Western Australia.
The company is seeking to deliver a manganese concentration Scoping Study by the end of the second quarter of 2024. It will examine several options, including single or multi-pit openings, a central processing plant, production rates, and transport solutions.
Black Canyon, which has a market capitalisation of $7 million, says the DMS produced up to 32% manganese concentrate from the KR1 and KR2 deposit test samples.
“The results confirm our expectations that Black Canyon will be able to deliver a quality oxide manganese concentrate ranging between 30% (and) 33% manganese, in-line with end user requirements,” Managing Director Brendan Cummins says.
“This concentrate would feed into the mid-grade manganese market, which at 46% of 2023 global manganese ore produced, has the highest volume and most significant segment of the market.”
Black Canyon adds that the latest results complement previously reported heavy liquid separation concentrate grades ranging between 29.2% and 37.4% manganese from the KR1 and KR2 deposits.
As part of the DMS, the deposit’s samples were processed using equipment that simulates beneficiation processing used across mining operations to upgrade manganese and iron ore in the Pilbara region.
The KR1 and KR2 deposits sit within the Balfour Manganese Field. Both deposits have a combined resource of 103 million tonnes @ 10.4% manganese containing 10.7 million tonnes of manganese.
Black Canyon is a manganese-focused explorer and developer, with assets in the mineral rich exporting hub of the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The company’s projects cover more than 2,400km2 of prospective tenure.
Black Canyon will be in attendance at the RIU Sydney Resources Round-up at Darling Harbour’s Hyatt Regency Hotel on 7-9 May 2024 — which Mining.com.au is a media partner this year.
Last year’s RIU Sydney Resources Round-up attracted more than 1,500 delegates, making it the busiest since its inception in 2004. With over 800 of last year’s delegates coming from the investor or broker/fund categories, this conference offers investor engagement opportunities.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Black Canyon
