Black Canyon Begins 3,000m RC Drilling Targeting Up to 42% Manganese Grades

Exploration Momentum Builds at Wandanya

Australian manganese explorer Black Canyon Limited (ASX – BCA) has commenced a significant reverse circulation (RC) drilling campaign at its Wandanya Project in Western Australia. The program, comprising 150 drill holes for a total of 3,000 metres, is designed to follow up on earlier high-grade manganese and iron assay results and to expand the known mineralised footprint along 1.5 kilometres of a 3-kilometre strike length.

The Wandanya discovery, located on the eastern margin of the Oakover Basin, represents a novel hydrothermal manganese and iron mineralisation model for the region. Initial drilling in September 2024 tested only a small portion of the target area but yielded impressive manganese grades, including intervals of up to 42% manganese from surface. These results have encouraged Black Canyon to significantly scale up its exploration efforts.

Strategic Drilling and Government Support

The current phase two drilling program aims to test both strike and down-dip extensions of the mineralised zones, with drill lines spaced between 100 and 350 metres apart. The southern area will see drilling extend mineralisation up to 200 metres beyond previous holes, while the northern section, previously untested, will cover approximately 900 metres of strike. Iron-rich targets with assay results exceeding 60% iron will also be systematically drilled along a 900-metre strike.

Importantly, the project has secured a $122,500 co-funded drilling grant from the Western Australian Government’s Exploration Incentive Scheme (EIS). This merit-based program supports innovative drilling projects with the potential to unlock new mineral discoveries in regional WA, underscoring the technical promise of the Wandanya targets.

Looking Ahead – Assay Results and Resource Potential

Black Canyon’s Managing Director Brendan Cummins highlighted the opportunity presented by the largely underexplored manganese system at Wandanya, situated just 80 kilometres from the established Woodie Woodie manganese mine. The company anticipates assay results from the current drilling phase to be released in July and August, which will be critical in defining the scale and grade of the mineralisation.

Further drilling phases are planned to test the full 3-kilometre strike and cross-strike widths of the manganese and iron targets, potentially expanding the resource base significantly. Given manganese’s essential role in steel alloys and lithium-ion battery cathodes, the project aligns well with growing demand for critical minerals.

Black Canyon’s extensive landholding in the Balfour Manganese Field and Oakover Basin, combined with its strategic joint venture interests, positions it as a notable player in Australia’s manganese exploration landscape. The Wandanya Project’s evolving exploration story will be closely watched by investors and industry observers alike.