Can Black Canyon’s Wandanya Project Deliver on Its High-Grade Promise?

Renewed Drilling Momentum at Wandanya

Black Canyon Limited (ASX, BCA) has recommenced drilling at its Wandanya Project, located on the eastern margin of the Oakover Basin in Western Australia. The company’s third phase of reverse circulation (RC) drilling aims to both infill and extend the footprint of a recently discovered high-grade manganese and iron mineralisation zone that stretches over a 3-kilometre strike length.

Earlier drilling phases have delivered promising results, with Phase 2 assays revealing consistent shallow and thick manganese intersections grading up to 45.8% manganese. These results underscore the potential of the Wandanya discovery as a significant new manganese deposit in a region that remains underexplored.

A New Exploration Model in the Oakover Basin

The Wandanya mineralisation is characterised by a hydrothermal manganese and iron system, representing a novel exploration model for the Oakover Basin. This contrasts with more traditional stratabound manganese deposits and could signal a new frontier for manganese exploration in the region.

Black Canyon’s Managing Director Brendan Cummins highlighted the geological continuity and scale of the mineralisation, noting the shallow depth and proximity to existing infrastructure as key advantages. The company plans to complete approximately 150 holes over 3,500 metres during Phase 3, with drill lines spaced between 200 and 300 metres and hole centres about 40 metres apart.

Looking Ahead, Assays and Metallurgical Testing

Assay results from the remaining 47 holes of Phase 2 are expected by the end of August 2025, while Phase 3 results are anticipated throughout October and November. In addition to RC drilling, Black Canyon intends to undertake diamond core drilling to obtain samples for metallurgical testwork. This step is critical to advancing beneficiation studies and assessing the economic viability of the deposit.

Black Canyon’s broader portfolio includes a substantial landholding across the Balfour Manganese Field and the Oakover Basin, with a global mineral resource estimate of 314 million tonnes at 10.4% manganese. The Wandanya discovery adds a compelling new dimension to this portfolio, potentially enhancing the company’s resource base and strategic positioning in the manganese market.

Manganese remains a critical mineral, essential for steel alloy production and increasingly important in lithium-ion battery cathodes. As demand for these materials grows, discoveries like Wandanya could play a pivotal role in securing supply chains.