Burley Minerals Unveils High-Grade Iron Targets at Cane Bore Project

Encouraging Assay Results from West Flank

Burley Minerals Ltd (ASX: BUR) has released promising assay results from rock-chip sampling at the Cane Bore Iron Project in Western Australia's Pilbara region. The latest assays, derived from 45 samples collected along the West Flank Channel Iron Deposit (CID), reveal an average iron grade of 46.8% Fe, with standout samples reaching up to 56.2% Fe. When calcined, these grades translate to an average of 52.2% and a high of 63.3%, underscoring the quality of surface mineralisation.

The West Flank area, newly mapped and sampled, extends over 4 kilometres in strike length and covers more than 200 hectares of prospective CID terrain. This expansion significantly increases Burley's exploration footprint at Cane Bore, complementing earlier work on the East Flank and reinforcing the project's potential.

Strategic Location and Historical Context

Cane Bore is strategically situated less than 100 kilometres by sealed road from Onslow and the Port of Ashburton, facilitating potential future logistics and export. The project lies adjacent to the Northwest Coastal Highway, enhancing accessibility. Historically, the broader Cane River area saw limited exploration in the late 1960s, primarily wide-spaced surface sampling, leaving substantial room for modern exploration techniques to unlock value.

Advancing Towards Maiden Drilling

Burley is preparing to commence its maiden drilling program focused initially on the East Flank, where priority targets have been identified based on sample grades and mesa-form elevations. Heritage protection surveys with Traditional Owner groups are scheduled to be completed shortly, a critical step before drilling can proceed. The company anticipates receiving Programme of Work (PoW) approval from the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS) by February 2025.

Following the initial drilling phase, Burley plans to extend exploration to the West Flank, leveraging the expanded target area and encouraging assay results. The combined drilling targets on the East Flank cover more than 350 hectares, with the West Flank adding over 200 hectares, indicating a substantial exploration pipeline.

Regional Iron Ore Context and Potential

The Cane Bore CID deposits are part of the Hamersley Basin, a globally significant iron ore province. Nearby deposits such as Red Hill Iron Ltd's 664 million tonnes at 56.9% Fe and other regional resources held by major players like Rio Tinto and Mineral Resources Ltd highlight the district's rich endowment. Burley's exploration targets, characterized by mesa-form CID outcrops rising up to 20 metres above surrounding terrain, suggest potential for thicker and higher-grade mineralisation lenses below surface.

Commitment to Heritage and Environmental Stewardship

Burley Minerals has formal heritage protection agreements with Traditional Owner groups including the Buurabalayji Thalanyji and Puutu Kunti Kurrama People and Pinikura People. The company emphasizes its commitment to Aboriginal heritage protection and environmental management, with exploration activities aligned to an approved Conservation Management Plan. This approach aims to mitigate environmental impacts and ensure responsible site rehabilitation post-exploration.

Looking Ahead

With strong surface assay results in hand and regulatory processes advancing, Burley Minerals is positioning Cane Bore as a compelling iron ore exploration project in the Pilbara. The upcoming maiden drilling program will be pivotal in defining an inferred resource and unlocking the project's value potential. Investors and analysts will be watching closely as Burley navigates heritage surveys and regulatory approvals in the coming months.