Burley Minerals has wrapped up a key heritage survey over 290 hectares at its Cane Bore iron ore project, setting the stage for a maiden reverse circulation drilling campaign planned for July 2026.
- Heritage survey covers North and Step-Out Targets over 290 hectares
- Surface rock chips show iron grades up to 56% Fe
- Maiden drilling program to include approximately 120 RC holes
- Cane Bore project benefits from proximity to Port of Ashburton
- Heritage report expected in early July 2026
Heritage Survey Clears Ground for Drilling
Burley Minerals (ASX:BUR) has completed a heritage survey at the North and Step-Out Targets of its Cane Bore Iron Ore Project in Western Australia's Pilbara region. Conducted between 12 and 17 June 2026, the survey involved members of the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura (PKKP) and Robe River Kuruma (RRK) Aboriginal Corporations, alongside company representatives and consultants. Covering more than 290 hectares and extending over 5 kilometres of strike length, this survey was a prerequisite for the upcoming reverse circulation (RC) drilling programme.
The North and Step-Out Targets form a contiguous Channel Iron Deposit (CID) mesa, rising up to 20 metres above surrounding terrain. Early surface rock-chip sampling returned iron grades as high as 56% Fe, highlighting the potential scale and quality of the deposit. Burley plans to drill approximately 120 RC holes across these targets to establish an inferred resource, pending heritage clearance.
Strategic Location and Infrastructure Advantages
Cane Bore’s location less than 100 kilometres from Onslow and the Port of Ashburton by sealed road offers a logistical edge. The project sits adjacent to the sealed Northwest Coastal Highway, facilitating easy access and reducing capital and operating costs typically associated with remote iron ore developments. Burley recently secured an additional exploration licence (E08/3755) adjacent to Cane Bore, aiming to extend the resource potential northeast of the current CID identified within E08/3424.
Previous drilling at the South Target, located about 3.5 kilometres southwest of the North and Step-Out Targets, confirmed the presence of CID mineralisation over an 80-hectare mesa, with 28 RC holes drilled to depths between 18 and 60 metres. Assay results from that programme were disclosed in mid-2025, providing a foundation for the current expansion efforts.
Next Steps: Heritage Report and Drilling Mobilisation
Burley anticipates receiving the heritage survey report in early July 2026. Subject to clearance, the company will mobilise an RC drilling contractor to commence the maiden drilling campaign at the North and Step-Out Targets. This programme aims to delineate the depth and extent of CID mineralisation and contribute to an inferred resource estimate.
Managing Director Stewart McCallion emphasised the resilience of the survey team despite adverse weather and expressed optimism about the project's scale and location benefits. The upcoming drilling campaign is a critical step to validate the promising surface sampling and advance Cane Bore towards resource definition.
Broader Portfolio and Exploration Context
Burley Minerals continues to develop its portfolio beyond Cane Bore, including the Broad Flat Well Iron Project in the Pilbara and the Chubb Lithium Project in Québec, Canada. The latter is positioned near Canada’s only operating lithium mine, underscoring Burley’s diversified exposure to key minerals. The company’s recent capital raising efforts, including a $1 million placement and Share Purchase Plan, are funding both the Cane Bore drilling and ongoing lithium exploration, reflecting a balanced growth strategy.
Bottom Line?
The heritage survey completion clears a major hurdle for Burley’s Cane Bore drilling, but the market will watch closely for the heritage report and initial drill results to assess the project's resource potential.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the heritage report confirm clearance without restrictions that could delay drilling?
- How will the maiden drilling results at North and Step-Out Targets compare with previous surface sampling grades?
- What impact will the expanded exploration license have on the overall resource potential at Cane Bore?