Pantera Minerals (ASX:PFE) has received new manganese and iron assays from a reverse circulation (RC) drilling and rock chip sampling program at its Weelarrana Project in Western Australia.
The results, generated by 90 RC holes and 20 rock samples, show that widespread manganese (Mn) continues at the Mn Area 1, with a maximum 1m Mn grade of 22.6% with thickness and grades similar to the first phase of drilling completed in November 2022.
Additionally, phase two drilling intercepted surface manganese mineralisation within the Mn Area 2, 3 and 4, with a maximum grade of 22.1%. Mineralisation is also noted to be open to the east.
Pantera reports both drilling and rock chip results also highlight the presence of channel iron (Fe) mineralisation across Weelarrana and within the Central CID occurrence over an area of 650m x 400m, with potential to extend further to the northeast.
Key manganese results include hole WRC112 with 1m @ 22.6% manganese (Mn) from surface; hole WRC099 with 1m @ 18.8% Mn from 13m; hole WRC071 with 2m @ 14.9% Mn from surface at Mn Area 4; and hole WRC088 with 1m @ 13% Mn from 1m at Mn Area 2.
Other key iron results include hole WRC064 with 2m @ 53.7% Fe (58.2% calcined Fe) from surface at the Central CID occurrence; and hole WRC072 with 2m @ 53.3% Fe (59.2% calcined Fe) from surface at Central CID occurrence.
Rock chip samples also returned iron grades up to 62.6% at the northern CID. Drilling was completed over April and May 2023.
Pantera announces it will now move forward with mapping and rock chip sampling of the central and northern CIDs in late June, with heritage surveys at both zones, as well as the central DID zone, to be planned to allow drilling to occur later in the year.
Commenting on the results, Pantera Minerals Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Matt Hansen says: “We are pleased to announce that drilling and rock chip sampling at Weelarrana has confirmed widespread manganese mineralisation with channel iron mineralisation also identified. Importantly, assay results received confirm continuity of manganese mineralisation at Mn Area 1, with a maximum one metre Mn grade of 22.6% Mn.
“We are pleased to announce that drilling and rockchip sampling at Weelarrana has confirmed widespread manganese mineralisation…”
Our next program of works involves further mapping and rock chip sampling of the channel iron mineralisation as well as planning additional heritage survey work.”
Pantera Minerals is an ASX-listed exploration company with 4 projects in Western Australia’s mineral heartland. The company’s portfolio assets include the Hellcat, Frederick, Yampi Iron Ore, and Weelarrana projects.
The Weelarrana project is located about 80km south of the township of Newman in Western Australia and covers 958km-square of tenure considered prospective for manganese and precious metal mineralisation.
Pantera had $3.1 million cash on hand as of 31 March, according to the company’s latest quarterly report.
Write to Adam Drought at Mining.com.au
Images: Pantera Minerals Ltd
