Burley Minerals Greenlights Heritage Survey and Drilling at Cane Bore’s Expansive North Targets
Burley Minerals is set to commence a heritage survey ahead of a major reverse circulation drilling campaign targeting over 290 hectares of Channel Iron Deposit at Cane Bore, aiming to define a significant inferred iron ore resource in Western Australia’s Pilbara region.
- Heritage survey starts 12 June over 290+ hectares at Cane Bore
- Surface rock-chip samples show iron grades up to 56% Fe
- Maiden drilling program to include 120 reverse circulation holes
- Project benefits from proximity to Port of Ashburton and sealed roads
- Previous South Target drilling confirmed mineralisation presence
Heritage Survey Kicks Off at Cane Bore’s North and Step-Out Targets
Burley Minerals Ltd (ASX:BUR) is advancing its Cane Bore Iron Project with a heritage survey scheduled to begin on 12 June 2026. This survey covers the North and Step-Out Targets, which together span more than 290 hectares and extend over 5 kilometres of strike length in the Pilbara, Western Australia. The survey is a prerequisite for the upcoming reverse circulation (RC) drilling campaign aimed at delineating an inferred resource.
The North and Step-Out Targets form a contiguous Channel Iron Deposit (CID) mesa, rising up to 20 metres above the surrounding terrain. Surface rock-chip sampling has returned impressive iron grades reaching up to 56% Fe, highlighting the potential quality of the mineralisation Burley aims to quantify through drilling.
Drilling Plans and Strategic Location Enhance Project Appeal
Following heritage clearance, Burley plans to mobilise a drilling contractor to execute approximately 120 RC drill holes across the North and Step-Out Targets. This drilling programme is designed to map out the depth and extent of the CID mineralisation and provide data to support an inferred resource estimate.
The Cane Bore Project benefits from excellent infrastructure access, situated less than 100 kilometres by sealed road from Onslow and the Port of Ashburton. The proximity to these transport hubs is a strategic advantage, potentially lowering capital and operating costs compared to more remote Pilbara projects.
Building on Previous Success at South Target
Burley’s South Target, located about 3.5 kilometres southwest of the new drilling areas, has already undergone heritage clearance and drilling. In April 2025, 28 RC holes were drilled to depths between 18 and 60 metres, confirming the presence of CID mineralisation. Assay results from this programme were released in June 2025, underpinning confidence in the broader Cane Bore CID system.
The North and Step-Out Targets are viewed as extensions of this mineralised system, with the combined area forming a sizeable CID mesa that could significantly expand Burley’s iron ore resource base.
Broader Exploration Footprint and Lithium Interests
In addition to Cane Bore, Burley holds other iron ore assets in Western Australia, including the Broad Flat Well Iron Project. The company also maintains a lithium exploration presence in Québec, Canada, through its 100% owned Chubb Lithium Project. Located near Canada’s only operating lithium mine, the Chubb Project has shown promising signs of spodumene and rare caesium mineralisation, positioning Burley in two critical commodities markets.
Bottom Line?
Watch for heritage survey results and the commencement of drilling to gauge Cane Bore’s potential to add meaningful iron ore resources in a well-connected Pilbara location.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the heritage survey findings influence the timing and scope of the drilling programme?
- What initial resource estimates might emerge from the 120-hole drilling campaign at the North and Step-Out Targets?
- Could Cane Bore’s proximity to Port of Ashburton translate into competitive operating costs versus other Pilbara iron ore projects?
