Bryah Resources Limited (ASX: BYH) has reported the identification of another manganese exploration prospect called Cheval prospect within the Bryah Basin project in central Western Australia.
The company announced that Manganese was identified over approximately 500 metre length in outcrop, with 35 rock chip samples collected for multi-element analysis. BYH reported that one of the samples recorded a high of 41.3% Mn.
The company said that the permitting would be progressed for future drilling of the Cheval Prospect.
Bryah Basin project
The Bryah Basin project is located approximately 100-150km north of the town of Meekatharra in Western Australia.
Active and historic mines located close to the Company’s tenements include the Fortnum, Labouchere, Horseshoe, Peak Hill, Hermes and Harmony gold mines, and the Horseshoe Lights copper/gold mine.
The Bryah Basin also hosts a number of historical Manganese mines, the largest being the Horseshoe South Manganese mine.
Partnership with OM
The Company had secured a farm-in and joint venture agreement with OM (Manganese) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of OM Holdings Limited in respect to its manganese rights only in respect to approximately 660 km2 of its Bryah Basin tenement holdings.
The aim of the JV is to explore for commercially mineable manganese and carry out Feasibility Studies. Bryah is to be Project Manager for Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the Farm-In.
The JV includes an area of Mutual Interest which extends for a radius of 100 kilometres from the Horseshoe South Manganese Mine (M52/806).
Manganese exploration drilling
The Company has been undertaking manganese exploration drilling at multiple prospects within the Horseshoe Range with successful results.
Till date, drilling for manganese has been completed nearby at Horseshoe South, Brumby Creek, and Devils Hill by the Company and announced to ASX.
During its initial phase of exploration drilling within the Bryah Basin, the company had intersected significant manganese at the Brumby Creek prospect.
It may be noted that the drilling programme and a second phase of drilling yet to be reported on, has been funded by OM (Manganese) Limited under a $7.3 million agreement signed in April 2019.
New outcropping high-grade manganese target discovered
The company reported that its recent ground reconnaissance and mapping has now identified an area of outcropping manganese in the Horseshoe Range at the Cheval Prospect.
This is located approximately 5 kilometres northwest of the Company’s historic Horseshoe South Manganese mine.
BYH said that Manganese outcrops at the Cheval Prospect have been mapped for approximately 500 metres in length, with 35 rock chip samples collected for multi-element analysis.
Lab results include 41.3% Mn
The company reported that the laboratory results from these rock chip samples show that 15 samples recorded grades in the range 20% – 30% Mn, while 15 samples recorded grades of >30% Mn. This includes a high of 41.3% Mn.
What’s next?
The company announced that the new Cheval Prospect is untested by drilling and will require a heritage survey and Department of Mines Industry Regulation and Safety programme of works approval ahead of any drill testing.
Byrah said that these permitting activities will be progressed as soon as possible.
Management comments
Bryah Resources Managing Director Neil Marston said “The new find is particularly exciting in light of Bryah’s recent success in defining significant mineralisation at Brumby Creek. Brumby Creek was only identified as an exploration target in July last year and recent drilling was now defining significant manganese mineralisation.”