Black Canyon Drills Consistent High-Grade Manganese and Iron at Wandanya

Robust High-Grade Manganese and Iron Confirmed at Wandanya

Black Canyon Limited (ASX:BCA) has unveiled a fresh tranche of assay results from its ongoing drilling at the Wandanya Project in Western Australia, reinforcing the project's promise as a dual manganese and iron commodity play. The latest batch of 123 reverse circulation (RC) drill holes, totalling 2,823 metres, continues to demonstrate shallow, stratiform mineralisation with manganese grades soaring up to 44.4% Mn and iron grades reaching 63.2% Fe.

The drilling campaign, focused on a 3-kilometre base case footprint within a broader 9-kilometre mineralised system, has delivered consistent, thick intersections from near surface. Noteworthy manganese hits include 9 metres at 33.5% Mn from 2 metres depth and 10 metres at 27.7% Mn starting at surface, while iron assays reveal intervals such as 18 metres at 56.9% Fe from 1 metre depth. These results underscore the continuity and scale of mineralisation, essential for advancing resource confidence.

Progress Toward Maiden Mineral Resource and Economic Studies

Black Canyon's Managing Director Brendan Cummins highlighted the near 90% success rate in intersecting mineralisation, a strong indicator of the project's geological predictability. "The consistency of the high-grade results gives us great confidence in the grade and scale potential of the system," Cummins said, pointing to the ongoing assay work on approximately 4,000 samples expected to conclude within weeks.

The company remains on track to deliver its maiden Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) by the end of September 2026, supported by detailed survey inputs including LIDAR and down-hole density measurements. This milestone will pave the way for a Scoping Study, anticipated by year-end, which will provide the first financial evaluation of the dual commodity operation.

Expansion Drilling and Exploration Incentives to Extend Mineralisation

Following the resource definition drilling, Black Canyon plans to restart a 5,000-metre RC drilling program in mid-August to further test the southern and northern extensions of the mineralised system. The current resource drill density of 50 by 50 metres is designed to support Indicated or Measured Mineral Resource classifications, suitable for feasibility studies.

Additionally, a government-backed Exploration Incentive Scheme (EIS) funded gravity survey is nearing completion, targeting deeper hydrothermal manganese deposits beneath the known stratiform horizons. This survey, over 80% complete, is expected to conclude by mid-August and could unlock further upside beyond the current shallow mineralisation.

Direct Shipping Ore Potential Enhances Project Appeal

The iron mineralisation at Wandanya exhibits characteristics favourable for direct shipping ore (DSO), with beneficiation tests producing a high lump yield (74%) grading 59.7% Fe. This premium product quality is sought after in the market and adds a valuable dimension to the project's development prospects.

Geologically, the mineralisation is hosted within flat-lying sedimentary sequences with a gentle eastward dip, and the manganese and iron zones appear to be lateral equivalents. The company notes that the mineralisation's fault-related, stratabound style and the presence of supergene overprints contribute to the observed grade consistency.

Tenure and Heritage Considerations

Wandanya lies within tenements wholly owned by Black Canyon, subject to native title agreements with the Karlka Nyiyaparli Aboriginal Corporation. Heritage surveys have been completed to enable current drilling activities, with further surveys planned to support future ground disturbance.

Black Canyon's substantial landholding of over 2,000 square kilometres in the Balfour Manganese Field and Oakover Basin positions it well to capitalise on manganese's critical role in steel alloys and battery cathodes, alongside iron ore.

With the maiden resource estimate imminent and a scoping study underway, Black Canyon is poised to clarify the economic potential of this dual commodity project, while ongoing drilling and geophysical surveys could reveal further extensions to the mineralised system.