Major Manganese Discovery Opens New 3.2km Exploration Frontier for Accelerate Resources
Accelerate Resources Limited (ASX:AX8) has delivered exceptional results from its newly granted exploration licence at the Woodie Woodie North Project, with rock chip samples returning up to 57.3% manganese (Mn). The discovery has revealed a previously unrecognised 3.2km-long exploration corridor.
The high-grade results from 65 rock chip samples demonstrate widespread mineralisation across multiple corridors. This positions Accelerate as a significant player in Australia's booming manganese sector, creating exciting opportunities for investors looking to explore Accelerate Resources manganese discovery.
Outstanding High-Grade Results Across Gingarrigan Corridor
The latest fieldwork on the newly granted exploration licence E45/6603 has delivered remarkable results across the Gingarrigan Manganese Corridor. Furthermore, 48 of 65 rock chip samples exceeded 40% Mn, demonstrating exceptional grade consistency across the prospect area.
The standout results include:
- 57.3% Mn (sample AA401)
- 56.1% Mn (sample AA463)
- 54.7% Mn (sample AA414)
- 54.5% Mn (sample AA412)
These results demonstrate widespread high-grade mineralisation over more than 1km of outcropping manganese. The mineralisation encompasses multiple high-grade prospects including Gingarrigan, Gingerbread, Ragdoll and Area 64.
Importantly, this newly granted licence was not part of the company's 2023 resource drilling programme. This represents a significant untapped exploration frontier for future development activities.
Sample Results Summary
| Sample Range | Number of Samples | Percentage of Total |
|---|---|---|
| >50% Mn | 16 samples | 25% |
| 40-50% Mn | 32 samples | 49% |
| Total >40% Mn | 48 samples | 74% |
Game-Changing Discovery: El Largo Corridor Reveals 3.2km Strike Length
Following the success of the Gingarrigan sampling programme, Accelerate acquired high-resolution aerial imagery. This revealed a major new exploration target—the El Largo Corridor.
This discovery has connected previously separate prospects (Area 60, El Largo, and Area 66) into a continuous 3.2km-long manganese trend. The discovery represents one of the most significant exploration breakthroughs in the region this year.
Key features of this newly recognised corridor include:
- 3.2km total strike length (1.6km continuous from Area 60 to El Largo, plus additional 1.6km extension into Area 66)
- Up to 200m wide mineralised zone based on surface outcrop
- No known drilling has ever tested this corridor
- Historical sampling shows encouraging grades >20% Mn
- Strategic land position secured through new application E45/7201
CEO Luke Meter commented: "These exciting results confirm the presence of extensive, high-grade manganese across the +1 km Gingarrigan Corridor and, importantly, have opened up a new 3.2 km-long exploration front at El Largo that had not been recognised before."
Understanding Manganese: A Critical Battery Metal
Manganese serves as an essential component in lithium-ion battery cathodes and steel production. This makes it a critical metal for the global energy transition.
High-purity manganese faces increasing demand for advanced battery technologies. Premium applications are driving new market opportunities across the resource sector.
Why Manganese Matters for Investors
- Essential for electric vehicle battery production
- Critical component in renewable energy storage systems
- Limited global supply of high-grade deposits
- Australia maintains a major producer position with established infrastructure
The Mn percentage reported in rock chip samples indicates the concentration of manganese in the sample. Furthermore, >40% Mn is considered high-grade for direct shipping ore applications.
These percentages represent the proportion of manganese oxide within the total sample weight. Those seeking to explore Accelerate Resources manganese discovery will find the company strategically positioned in a proven district with significant infrastructure advantages.
Strategic Market Position and Infrastructure Advantages
Woodie Woodie North benefits from its strategic location in the proven East Pilbara manganese district. The project is positioned just 70km north of Consolidated Minerals' operating Woodie Woodie Mine—a top Australian producer of high-grade manganese.
This proximity provides significant advantages for future development activities. In addition, the established regional infrastructure reduces potential capital expenditure requirements.
Location Benefits
- Established logistics networks in proven manganese district
- Proximity to port infrastructure (~240km east of Port Hedland)
- Regional exploration momentum with nearby ventures including Black Canyon's Oakover East project
- Proven geological setting with demonstrated commercial viability
Project Scale and Resources
| Resource Category | Tonnage (Mt) | Grade (% Mn) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current JORC Resource | 1.2Mt | 19.1% Mn | Inferred |
| Exploration Target | 5.3-10.7Mt | 10-19% Mn | Conceptual |
| Total Project Coverage | 432km² | – | 6 mapped corridors |
The project incorporates six mapped large-scale manganese corridors extending over 35km of strike length. This highlights the extensive nature of mineralisation across the tenement package.
What Are the Immediate Next Steps and Value Catalysts?
Accelerate is advancing low-cost exploration to rapidly develop the project's potential. The company has outlined a systematic approach to value creation through targeted exploration programmes.
Immediate Field Programme (commencing late November 2024)
- Detailed field mapping and infill sampling across Gingarrigan and El Largo corridors
- Assessment of newly identified cliff exposures along El Largo ridge
- Integration of imagery, structural data and historical datasets
Medium-Term Catalysts
- Drill target definition and priority ranking
- Resource extension drilling programmes
- Metallurgical testing of high-grade samples
- Economic evaluation of development scenarios
Parallel Development: The company emphasises that this manganese focus does not detract from its Balagundi gold project. Drilling is scheduled to commence in coming weeks, creating a dual-commodity value proposition.
Investors looking to explore Accelerate Resources manganese discovery should note the systematic approach to value creation. However, the company maintains exposure across multiple commodity opportunities.
Technical Exploration Context
The Woodie Woodie North project area covers 432km² of highly prospective rock formations dating to the Proterozoic era. These formations date from approximately 2.5 billion to 541 million years ago.
These ancient sedimentary sequences host manganese mineralisation in favourable structural positions. The geological setting provides ideal conditions for high-grade manganese accumulation.
Geological Setting
The mineralisation occurs within carbonate rocks (limestone and dolomite) and silica-rich formations (chert). Hydrothermal fluids deposited manganese-bearing minerals in these formations over geological time.
This style of mineralisation is controlled by structural features such as faults and zones of rock alteration. These features create the concentrated high-grade zones observed in sampling programmes.
Exploration Methodology
Rock chip sampling involves collecting representative pieces of mineralised outcrop from surface exposures. Each composite sample consisted of 5-10 pieces collected from approximately 3x3m areas.
This methodology provides a representative sample of the mineralised zones for laboratory analysis. The approach ensures reliable grade estimates for resource evaluation purposes.
Why Should Investors Follow Accelerate Resources?
Accelerate Resources has positioned itself as an emerging force in Australia's critical minerals sector. The company offers a compelling combination of immediate high-grade manganese discovery potential and upcoming gold drilling catalysts.
The company's strategic approach involves securing prospective ground in proven districts whilst maintaining disciplined exploration spending. This creates multiple value creation opportunities across different commodity exposures.
Investment Highlights
| Advantage | Details |
|---|---|
| Dual Commodity Exposure | High-grade manganese + gold exploration pipeline |
| Strategic Location | Proven East Pilbara district with infrastructure access |
| Exploration Upside | 3.2km untested El Largo corridor + existing 1.2Mt resource |
| Market Timing | Positioned for manganese demand growth in battery sector |
| Management Execution | Systematic approach to value creation through targeted exploration |
The discovery of the El Largo Corridor, combined with outstanding high-grade results from Gingarrigan, demonstrates significant untapped potential. This potential exists within Accelerate's consolidated 432km² project area.
Exploration drilling to date has delivered a maiden Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate of 1.2Mt at 19.1% Mn. In addition, the company has defined Exploration Targets of 5.3–10.7Mt at 10–19% Mn.
Those who explore Accelerate Resources manganese discovery will find a company with six mapped manganese corridors. These corridors extend over 35km of strike length, systematically unlocking value in a world-class manganese district.
Market Context and Commodity Outlook
The global manganese market continues to experience strong demand growth, particularly from the steel and battery sectors. High-grade manganese deposits suitable for direct shipping ore command premium pricing.
Australian producers benefit from established supply chains and proximity to Asian markets. This provides competitive advantages in the global manganese market.
Market Drivers
- Growing electric vehicle production requiring manganese in battery cathodes
- Steel industry demand for manganese as an essential alloying element
- Limited new high-grade manganese projects entering production
- Infrastructure advantages for Australian producers
The strategic location near existing manganese operations provides Accelerate with potential access to established processing and logistics infrastructure. This could potentially reduce development capital requirements for future operations.
Exploration Strategy and Technical Approach
Accelerate's exploration approach focuses on systematic evaluation of the extensive manganese corridor system. The company's methodology combines surface mapping, geochemical sampling, and targeted drilling programmes.
This integrated approach enables cost-effective exploration across the 432km² project area. Furthermore, it provides comprehensive geological understanding for resource definition activities.
Current Focus Areas
- Gingarrigan Corridor: Confirmed high-grade mineralisation over 1km of outcrop
- El Largo Corridor: Newly identified 3.2km target with historical >20% Mn results
- Resource Extension: Expansion drilling around existing 1.2Mt resource base
- Regional Targets: Assessment of additional prospects across six mapped corridors
The integration of high-resolution aerial imagery with geological mapping has proven effective in identifying new targets. This is demonstrated by the El Largo discovery, which showcases the value of systematic exploration approaches.
Key Takeaway: Accelerate Resources has identified a major new exploration frontier at Woodie Woodie North, with 3.2km of untested high-grade manganese potential. This complements the existing resource base and creates multiple value creation opportunities.
The combination of immediate drilling catalysts, strategic district position, and exposure to critical battery metals positions AX8 as a compelling growth story. This positions the company well in the Australian critical minerals sector.
Investors seeking to explore Accelerate Resources manganese discovery will find a company systematically developing multiple high-grade targets. The company operates in a proven manganese district, with the technical capability and strategic positioning to advance these opportunities through to resource definition and potential development.
Ready to Capitalise on the Next Major Mineral Discovery?
Discovery Alert instantly delivers notifications on significant ASX mineral discoveries like Accelerate Resources' exceptional manganese results, powered by its proprietary Discovery IQ model that transforms complex geological announcements into actionable investment insights. Explore why historic mineral discoveries can generate substantial returns and begin your 30-day free trial today to position yourself ahead of the market.
