Black Canyon (ASX:BCA) has indicated further potential for the Wandanya discovery in Western Australia, following the latest assay results from a phase two drilling program.
The latest results show manganese mineralisation continues at least 2km north of the original W2 discovery with cross strike widths ranging between 250m and 450m, remaining open to the north and east.
Results include 6m @ 35% manganese, including 2m @ 42.1% manganese from 3m; and 5m @ 28.7% manganese from 9m, including 2m @ 43.5% manganese.
Managing Director Brendan Cummins says the stratabound manganese mineralisation discovered is shallow and consistent in grade and thickness, which is unique to the region and timely in terms of delivering a potential future supply of manganese oxide.
“I think it’s fair to say that over the past 50 years only three significant manganese deposits have been discovered in Australia, being Groote Eylandt, Woodie Woodie and Bootu Creek, which have all been successfully brought into production,” Cummins says.
“The results received from our initial drill programs provide much confidence that we have discovered a significant mineral system with many of the attributes such as grade, scale, thin overburden, and the ability to produce a high-quality manganese concentrate required for a potential mine development.”
Assays for the remaining 47 drillholes targeting iron and manganese are expected to be finalised by the end of August 2025.
A third phase reverse circulation drilling program will also begin mid-August, to extend and further delineate the manganese and iron discoveries along a 3km strike and up to 800m cross width.
The Wandanya discovery represents a new exploration model on the eastern margin of the Oakover Basin comprising hydrothermal, stratabound manganese and iron with scale and grade potential.
Black Canyon is a mineral explorer focused on its land position covering 2,300km2 in the underexplored Balfour Manganese Field and across the Oakover Basin in Western Australia.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Black Canyon
