Major Dual Commodity Discovery Confirmed by Fast-Track Assays
Black Canyon (ASX: BCA) has confirmed a significant black canyon dual commodity discovery at its 100% owned Wandanya Project, with fast-tracked assays from three wide-spaced RC drill holes returning exceptional high-grade results for both iron and manganese.
The breakthrough results demonstrate clear metal zonation between high-grade hematite iron mineralisation and extensive stratabound manganese mineralisation, highlighting the potential for two separate, high-value products from a single project site.
Key highlights from the assays include an impressive 12m @ 60.1% Fe intersection from just 5m depth, including 7m @ 64.2% Fe from 7m, confirming the high-grade potential of the western hematite zone. Meanwhile, manganese results of 8m @ 31.1% Mn and 4m @ 29.8% Mn validate the consistency of the stratabound manganese horizon which extends at least 2km north of the original W2 discovery.
"What makes this opportunity unique and more valuable is the segregation of high-grade hematite mineralisation from the extensive stratabound manganese mineralisation. Often these two commodities are mixed but from the drilling we have completed we are now able to confirm distinct metal zonation." – Brendan Cummins, Managing Director
Strategic Dual Commodity Development Potential
The latest drilling results from Wandanya are particularly significant as they confirm the potential for:
- A Direct Ship Ore (DSO) iron product with exceptionally low impurities
- A beneficiated high-quality manganese product from the same site
This dual commodity approach could deliver substantial economic benefits through shared infrastructure and common mining/processing equipment, creating a potentially more robust development case than either commodity alone.
| Drill Hole | Target | Key Intersection | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| WDRC057 | Iron | 12m @ 60.1% Fe from 5m | Very low deleterious elements (1% Al, 4.5% Si, 0.02% P) |
| WDRC063 | Iron/Manganese | 8m @ 31.1% Mn from 5m | Includes 3m @ 41% Mn from 10m |
| WDRC069 | Manganese | 4m @ 29.8% Mn from 12m | Consistent with W2 discovery 2km south |
The results are part of a broader 101-hole RC drilling program completed at Wandanya, with the three reported holes selected for fast-tracked analysis to provide early understanding of the thickness and grade potential across different mineralisation zones.
Expanding Scale of Discovery
The drill program has already mapped a 5km zone of iron enrichment requiring further investigation. For the iron target, the program tested a 900m long ridgeline with holes every 40-50m along strike, revealing a potential width of the iron-enriched unit between 250m and 400m.
For manganese, the drilling has confirmed that mineralisation continues at least 2km north of the original W2 discovery and supports the consistent grade and geology of the stratabound manganese horizon, which remains open to the north and east.
The cross-strike width of the manganese horizon on the reported drill line is approximately 480m and remains open to the east, suggesting significant potential for resource expansion.
Understanding Beneficiation Potential
Previous metallurgical testwork on W2 stratabound manganese mineralisation demonstrated that samples averaging 30% Mn could be beneficiated using density-based separation to achieve a 45% Mn product grade, exceeding the premium 44% Mn benchmark grade.
This is particularly significant as the recent drill results show similar thickness, grade, and levels of deleterious element content to the W2 drilling located 2km to the south, suggesting similar processing potential across the broader mineralised zone.
| Composite | Sample Type | Head Grade (Mn %) | Average Concentrate Grade (Mn %) | Overall Recovery (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combined Results | RC chip composites | 30% (approx.) | 44.8% | 79.5% |
What is Stratabound Mineralisation?
Stratabound mineralisation refers to mineral deposits that are confined within a specific layer or "stratum" of rock. Unlike other deposit types that might cross-cut geological formations, stratabound deposits follow the original bedding planes of the host rocks.
For investors, stratabound deposits often represent more predictable mineralisation patterns, potentially allowing for:
- More reliable resource estimation
- Potentially lower mining costs due to consistent mineralisation
- Better prediction of ore quality and processing requirements
At Wandanya, the stratabound nature of the manganese mineralisation appears remarkably consistent across kilometres of strike length, providing confidence in future resource development potential.
Next Steps and Future Catalysts
Black Canyon is moving quickly to build on these encouraging results:
- Remaining assays from the 101-hole program are expected from late July through August
- A follow-up RC drilling program is planned for August 2025 to:
- Test the full 3km strike potential of the stratabound manganese horizon
- Extend drill coverage across the newly discovered iron-rich formation
- Drill further to the north and east where both systems remain open
This upcoming work will be critical in determining the full scale and economic potential of both the manganese and iron discoveries.
Why Investors Should Watch Black Canyon
The black canyon dual commodity discovery at Wandanya presents a compelling investment case for several reasons:
-
Project Economics: The potential for two separate high-value products (DSO iron and beneficiated manganese) from a single project with shared infrastructure could significantly enhance project economics.
-
Resource Scale Potential: Both the manganese and iron mineralisation remain open in multiple directions, with only a fraction of the 5km iron trend and 3km manganese trend tested to date.
-
Product Quality: The iron mineralisation shows exceptionally low impurities (just 0.02% P and 1.4% LOI), potentially commanding premium pricing, while metallurgical testing confirms the manganese can be upgraded to exceed premium benchmark grades.
-
Critical Minerals Exposure: Manganese is classified as a critical mineral, essential for both steel production and increasingly for battery technologies, positioning Black Canyon in two robust market segments.
-
Established Resource Base: Beyond Wandanya, Black Canyon holds a substantial Global Mineral Resource of 314 Mt @ 10.4% Mn across its Balfour Manganese Field projects, providing a solid foundation for the company's growth strategy.
With a market capitalisation that appears undervalued relative to its expanding resource base and dual commodity discovery, Black Canyon offers investors exposure to both traditional steel-making minerals and critical battery metals at an early stage of project development.
"The consistency of the stratabound manganese mineralisation from the drill logging is exceptional and provides confidence that further mineralisation will be drilled along the entire 3km of mapped manganese horizon. The initial metallurgical testwork we completed from W2 stratabound drill composites delivered a 40% Mn plus product grade, with very low impurities which along with the scale of the discovery supports the development potential of Wandanya even at this early stage." – Brendan Cummins, Managing Director
Want to Capitalise on This Dual Commodity Opportunity?
For investors seeking exposure to both premium iron ore and critical manganese minerals, Black Canyon's breakthrough at Wandanya presents a compelling investment case. To learn more about this strategic dual commodity discovery and stay updated on upcoming drill results and project developments, visit Black Canyon's investor dashboard today.
