Blackstone Minerals Restarts Mankayan Drilling After Cease Order Lifted
Blackstone Minerals has cleared a major regulatory hurdle with the lifting of a Cease and Desist Order at its Mankayan Copper-Gold Project, setting the stage for a pivotal Pre-Feasibility Study drilling campaign.
- Cease and Desist Order at Mankayan lifted, exploration to resume
- Pre-Feasibility Study drilling planned with up to 10 deep holes
- Mankayan hosts 793Mt JORC resource with significant copper, gold, and silver
- Ongoing metallurgical testing results expected by mid-2026
- Active community and government engagement continues
Regulatory Roadblock Removed at Mankayan
Blackstone Minerals (ASX:BSX) has cleared a significant obstacle at its flagship Mankayan Copper-Gold Project in the Philippines, with the Municipal Mayor lifting the Cease and Desist Order that halted exploration activities since November 2025. This regulatory reprieve allows Blackstone’s affiliate, Crescent Mining & Development Corporation (CMDC), to resume drilling and advance the project’s development trajectory.
Pre-Feasibility Study Drilling to Recommence
The company plans to kick off a Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) drilling program imminently, targeting up to 10 holes averaging 800 to 1,000 metres each. The drilling aims to test extensions of high-grade mineralisation, improve geological models of steeply-dipping veins, gather geotechnical data, and supply fresh samples for ongoing metallurgical test work. These efforts are critical to refining the project’s development potential and underpinning future feasibility studies.
Substantial JORC Resource Underpins Project Scale
Mankayan boasts a JORC 2012 Mineral Resource of 793 million tonnes at 0.65% copper equivalent, including 2.8 million tonnes of copper, 9.7 million ounces of gold, and 20.4 million ounces of silver. The Indicated portion alone stands at 638 million tonnes grading 0.68% CuEq, providing a robust foundation for the PFS. This positions Mankayan as the fourth largest undeveloped copper project in the Philippines, a country known for its rich mineral endowment.
Community Engagement and Technical Progress
Since the Cease and Desist Order was issued, CMDC has engaged extensively with indigenous communities, local government, and national authorities to resolve concerns and foster collaborative relationships. Blackstone’s Executive Chairman Geoff Gilmour emphasised the importance of this dialogue in securing the project’s future and advancing development for all stakeholders.
Meanwhile, metallurgical test work conducted by the Pitch Black Group over the past three months is expected to deliver results by mid-2026, potentially influencing processing strategies and project economics. Additional technical activities, including modern LiDAR surveys and UAV geophysical work, will enhance geological models and exploration targeting.
Leadership and Strategic Context
The lifting of the exploration halt marks a turnaround following earlier operational challenges, including community tensions and leadership changes. Blackstone’s recent transition to Executive Chairman Geoff Gilmour, who brings a steadying hand, is complemented by the appointment of geologist Greg Cunnold to strengthen technical oversight. These moves, alongside a successful $22.6 million capital raise in late 2025, have set the stage for renewed momentum at Mankayan, as detailed in the company’s prior updates.
This progress follows a period when Blackstone faced a Cease & Desist order issued that paused exploration and tested its community engagement strategy, underscoring the complex socio-political environment in which the project operates.
Bottom Line?
Blackstone’s ability to resume drilling at Mankayan after regulatory clearance shifts the project into a critical phase where technical results will shape its development path and investment appeal.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the upcoming drilling results impact the project's resource confidence and economic models?
- What insights will the mid-2026 metallurgical test results provide about processing options and costs?
- Can Blackstone sustain constructive community and government relations to avoid future operational disruptions?
