Wandanya Metallurgical Tests Deliver Up to 50% Mn Concentrates, Surpassing Benchmarks

Metallurgical Breakthrough at Wandanya

Australian manganese explorer Black Canyon Limited (ASX: BCA) has announced compelling metallurgical test results from its Wandanya Project in Western Australia's Oakover Basin. Initial beneficiation testwork using Heavy Liquid Separation (HLS) techniques has produced manganese concentrates grading between 48% and 50% Mn, comfortably exceeding the premium industry benchmark of 44% Mn oxide.

This early-stage testwork, conducted on composite reverse circulation drill chip samples, demonstrated significant upgrading of manganese content from raw feed grades of 21.2% and 41.5% Mn to concentrate grades as high as 53% Mn. The results confirm that the hydrothermal, stratabound manganese mineralisation at Wandanya is amenable to simple, density-based beneficiation methods analogous to those employed at established operations like Woodie Woodie.

Quality and Recovery Metrics Signal Strong Potential

Beyond grade improvements, the concentrates exhibit low levels of deleterious elements such as iron, aluminium, and phosphorus, which are critical for downstream processing and market acceptance. Recovery rates ranged from 68% to 76% when combining moderate and higher-grade composites, indicating efficient extraction of manganese from the ore.

Black Canyon's Managing Director Brendan Cummins highlighted the significance of these findings, noting the simplicity of the geology and the ease with which the manganese can be upgraded. He emphasized the potential for producing a high-quality manganese concentrate suitable for silico and ferro alloying industries as well as feedstock for high purity manganese sulphate (HPMSM), a key component in electric vehicle battery cathodes.

Exploration Momentum and Future Plans

To date, drilling has only tested 240 meters of the 3-kilometer strike length of the W2 manganese target, representing less than 10% of the prospective zone. The company plans to accelerate exploration with further drilling along strike and down dip to better understand the scale and continuity of both manganese and adjacent high-grade iron mineralisation recently identified.

Additional geophysical surveys, including Induced Polarisation (IP) and gravity methods, are expected to complement drilling efforts by delineating buried mineralisation and refining target areas. Black Canyon is also preparing for a diamond core drilling program to provide more detailed metallurgical data and support resource estimation.

Strategic Positioning in a Growing Market

Black Canyon's extensive landholding in the underexplored Balfour Manganese Field and Oakover Basin positions it well to capitalize on the growing demand for manganese, driven by its essential role in steel alloys and lithium-ion battery technologies. The company's global mineral resource estimate of 314 million tonnes at 10.4% Mn underpins its potential as a significant manganese supplier in Western Australia.

While these metallurgical results mark a promising step forward, the company acknowledges that further work is required to confirm the economic viability of the deposit. The simplicity of the beneficiation process and the quality of the concentrate bode well for future development scenarios.