Black Canyon Extends High-Grade Manganese at Wandanya Project

Black Canyon (ASX:BCA) reported a second set of assay results from resource definition drilling at its Wandanya project in Western Australia. The results reinforce the continuity of high-grade stratiform manganese and iron mineralisation across the three-kilometre base case target.

Resource definition drilling has concentrated on that central footprint. Expansion drilling has extended manganese mineralisation 400 metres south of the base case. Iron mineralisation was pushed 200 to 500 metres north, depending on the horizon.

Brendan Cummins, managing director, said the infill program replicated high-value zones, demonstrating how well the stratiform style holds together. “I never get tired of looking at high grade manganese and iron intersects from Wandanya and these assay results continue to impress,” he said. “The continuity and scale of the manganese and iron mineralisation is further confirmed, particularly in the central section where some of the thickest and highest grades have been previously reported from the initial wide-spaced exploration programs.”

To the south, expansion drilling targeted a 400-metre-long outcropping manganese horizon. Down-dip mineralisation has now been confirmed. Further south, mapping and rock chips identified iron and manganese outcrops extending over 1.4 kilometres. That area represents a chance to grow the mineralisation footprint, the company said.

To the north, drilling revealed shallow medium-grade iron intersects up to 500 metres from the northern boundary of the base case target. The manganese horizon was extended a further 200 metres north, also with medium-grade results. Cummins noted a prominent 2.8-kilometre-long iron-enriched ridge mapped further north. The company plans to drill test that ridge over the next few months.

Black Canyon has scheduled a detailed gravity survey for mid-July, co-funded by the WA Government Exploration Incentive Scheme. The survey will target deeper hydrothermal manganese mineralisation beneath the known near-surface deposits. If the survey identifies strong anomalies, it could open a new phase of drilling at depth.

BCA shares were unchanged at A$0.36 before Monday's open, giving a market capitalisation of roughly A$58 million. The stock has traded sideways since the first batch of assays was released in June. The second batch adds weight to the thesis that Wandanya hosts a large, consistent mineralised system. The real test comes when the gravity survey results land and drill rigs move onto the northern iron ridge.