Black Canyon Unveils Thick, High-Grade Manganese and Iron at Wandanya

Wandanya Project Delivers Exceptional Assay Results

Black Canyon Limited (ASX – BCA) has announced a new tranche of assay results from its Phase 2 reverse circulation drilling program at the Wandanya Project in Western Australia. The results reveal some of the thickest and highest-grade manganese intersections recorded at the site, with grades up to 48% manganese over intervals as long as 12 metres. Complementing this, significant iron mineralisation has been identified with grades reaching 63.9% iron, predominantly near surface.

The manganese mineralisation is stratabound and shallow, extending consistently over a 2-kilometre strike length with cross-strike widths between 160 and 450 metres. These findings reinforce the scale potential of the project, which remains open for expansion both along strike and down dip.

Iron Mineralisation Adds Strategic Value

While manganese remains the primary focus due to its critical role in steel alloys and battery cathodes, the discovery of high-grade iron mineralisation presents an intriguing opportunity. The iron occurs as hematite-dominated zones with shallow, low strip ratio deposits that could potentially be developed as direct shipping ore (DSO). This could offer a low capital expenditure startup pathway ahead of a larger manganese operation.

However, the iron mineralisation has only been tested on two widely spaced drill lines, and further cross-strike drilling is required to fully understand its extent and grade distribution.

Ongoing Exploration and Metallurgical Advances

Phase 3 drilling is currently underway, targeting a 3,500-metre program to extend the known mineralisation northwards and infill existing drill lines. Results from this phase are expected from mid-October through November. Additionally, a diamond core drilling program is planned to obtain samples for detailed metallurgical testwork during the wet season.

Preliminary metallurgical testwork on composite samples averaging 30% manganese has demonstrated the ability to upgrade the ore to a premium 45% manganese concentrate using density-based separation techniques, surpassing the industry benchmark of 44% manganese.

Strategic Positioning in the Balfour Manganese Field

Black Canyon controls a substantial landholding of approximately 2,300 square kilometres in the underexplored Balfour Manganese Field and Oakover Basin. The Wandanya discovery represents a new exploration model featuring hydrothermal, stratabound high-grade manganese and iron mineralisation. The company’s strategic tenement acquisitions and ongoing exploration efforts position it well to capitalize on the growing demand for manganese, a critical mineral in green technologies and steel manufacturing.

Managing Director Brendan Cummins highlighted the predictability and scale of the mineralisation, emphasizing the potential for both manganese and iron to contribute to the project’s economic viability.