RC Drilling Confirms Large-Scale Mineral Systems with 2km Strike Length
Black Canyon Limited (ASX: BCA) has successfully completed its Phase 2 Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling program at the Wandanya Project, confirming extensive manganese and iron mineralising systems. The company has delineated manganese mineralisation along 2 kilometres of strike that remains open to the north and east—a significant expansion from the 240-metre strike length discovered in late 2023.
The drilling program, which totalled 101 holes for 2,300 metres, has also confirmed shallow to outcropping hematite-dominated iron formation extending over hundreds of metres of strike length. Importantly, the program has verified that both mineral systems show consistency in geology and mineralisation across extensive areas.
"From an exploration perspective it rarely gets better than this when every hole drilled yields important information about the key parameters of the mineralisation," said Black Canyon's Managing Director Brendan Cummins. "What I find most remarkable is the consistency of the geology and mineralisation over thousands of metres, and in most circumstances is yet to be closed off."
With assays expected throughout July and August, the company is already planning a follow-up drilling program for August 2025 to further extend and delineate these promising targets.
Dual Commodity Strategy Emerging with Iron Discovery
The successful drilling of iron targets at Wandanya marks an exciting diversification opportunity for Black Canyon, which has traditionally focused on manganese exploration. The iron-rich formations are laterally extensive, with mapping showing high-grade hematite-dominated mineralisation outcropping for over 5 kilometres along strike within the company's tenement packages.
The drill program has enhanced confidence that the iron mineralisation is not merely surface enrichment but has considerable scale potential. Cross-line drilling indicates the iron-enriched unit appears to be between 250 and 400 metres wide.
This commodity diversification provides Black Canyon shareholders with exposure to both:
- Manganese – essential for steel production and emerging battery technologies
- Iron – a foundational commodity for global infrastructure development
The discovery of substantial iron mineralisation alongside the manganese deposits represents a strategic advantage that could significantly enhance the project's overall economic potential.
Technical Insights: Understanding Stratabound Mineralisation
A key feature of the Wandanya Project is its "stratabound" manganese mineralisation. This geological term describes mineral deposits that are confined to a specific sedimentary rock layer or "stratum."
Why this matters to investors:
Stratabound deposits typically offer several advantages:
- Predictability: The mineralisation follows specific geological layers, making exploration more efficient
- Continuity: Generally shows better consistency in grade and thickness
- Resource estimation: Often allows for more accurate resource calculations
- Mining planning: Can lead to more straightforward and cost-effective extraction methods
Black Canyon's drilling has confirmed the continuity of this stratabound manganese mineralisation at depth, with similar thickness to what was previously encountered at the W2 prospect. This geological consistency is a positive indicator for potential resource development.
Exploration Progress and Government Support
The Phase 2 RC drilling program has systematically tested both manganese and iron targets:
Manganese Exploration Highlights:
- North manganese corridor: Defined over 1.2km of strike
- Total strike length now successfully drill-tested: 2km
- Cross-strike width tested: 200-400 metres
- Southern manganese corridor: Extended stratabound mineralisation down dip to the east a further 200 metres
- Mineralisation depth: 20-25 metres
Iron Exploration Highlights:
- 900-metre long ridgeline section tested
- Holes drilled every 40-50 metres along strike
- Three cross lines completed to determine width potential
- Width potential: 250-400 metres
Notably, this innovative exploration program has been co-funded with a $122,500 Western Australian Government grant under the Exploration Incentive Scheme (EIS). This merit-based competitive program, administered by DEMIRS, supports innovative drilling projects with discovery potential—further validating the technical merit of Black Canyon's exploration approach.
| Target | Strike Length | Width | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese | 2km | 200-400m | Open to north & east |
| Iron | 900m (tested) | 250-400m | Open to north |
Future Plans and Catalysts
Black Canyon is moving quickly to capitalise on these encouraging results. Key upcoming milestones include:
- July-August 2025: Receipt of assay results from the Phase 2 drilling program
- August 2025: Mobilisation of RC rig to continue testing:
- The full 3km strike potential of the stratabound manganese horizon
- Further extension of the newly discovered iron-rich formation to the north and east
These near-term catalysts provide investors with clear visibility on potential value-creating events over the coming months. The assay results, in particular, will be crucial in determining the grade potential of both the manganese and iron mineralisation.
Investment Perspective: Why Black Canyon Stands Out
Black Canyon Wandanya expansion presents a compelling investment case based on several key factors:
1. Substantial Resource Base
The company has already defined a Global Mineral Resource of 314 million tonnes @ 10.4% Mn across its Balfour Manganese Field projects, comprising:
- 100Mt @ 10.4% Mn (Measured)
- 150Mt @ 10.1% Mn (Indicated)
- 64Mt @ 11.9% Mn (Inferred)
2. Strategic Land Position
Black Canyon has consolidated a significant land holding totalling 1,700km² in the underexplored Balfour Manganese Field and across the Oakover Basin in Western Australia.
3. Dual Commodity Exposure
The Wandanya Project now offers exposure to both manganese and iron, providing commodity diversification and potential for multiple development pathways.
4. Critical Minerals Focus
Manganese is essential and non-substitutable in:
- Manufacturing of alloys for the steel industry
- Cathodes of Li-ion batteries as a critical mineral
5. Strong Technical Management
The company's exploration program has been methodical and successful, with each phase building on previous results to systematically expand the known mineralisation.
6. Institutional Support
With 28% institutional ownership and 52% of shares held by the top 20 shareholders, the company has a strong and supportive shareholder base.
Why Investors Should Follow Black Canyon
Black Canyon represents a unique opportunity to gain exposure to critical minerals essential for both traditional steel manufacturing and the emerging battery technology sector. The company has demonstrated exploration success with a systematic approach that continues to expand the known mineralisation at Wandanya.
With a significant existing resource base, growing exploration footprint, and dual commodity exposure, Black Canyon Wandanya expansion offers investors several potential value drivers:
- Near-term catalysts: Assay results and follow-up drilling in coming months
- Resource growth potential: Both manganese and iron mineralisation remain open in multiple directions
- Strategic commodity focus: Exposure to materials essential for infrastructure and energy transition
- Government support: Validation through EIS grant funding
- Strong technical management: Demonstrated by systematic exploration success
As assay results from the Phase 2 drilling program are received in the coming weeks, investors will gain greater clarity on the grade potential of both the manganese and iron mineralisation at Wandanya, potentially providing significant share price catalysts as the full scale of this discovery becomes apparent.
Key Takeaway:
Black Canyon has positioned itself as an emerging player in the critical minerals sector, with significant upside potential due to its dual-commodity exposure and expanding resource footprint. With upcoming assay results and follow-up drilling planned for August 2025, investors should keep a close eye on developments as the company continues to define what appears to be a substantial manganese and iron system at Wandanya.
Want to Get in on This Emerging Dual-Commodity Play?
Black Canyon's Wandanya Project is delivering impressive results with extensive manganese and iron mineralisation now confirmed across a substantial 2km strike length. With assay results coming soon and an expanding resource footprint, now is the ideal time to explore this compelling investment opportunity. Visit Black Canyon's Investor Dashboard to learn more about their strategic position in the critical minerals sector and stay updated on upcoming catalysts that could drive significant shareholder value.
