Dual Commodity Discovery at Wandanya Raises Development Stakes

Dual Commodity Discovery at Wandanya

Black Canyon Limited (ASX – BCA) has announced compelling assay results from its ongoing drilling program at the Wandanya project in Western Australia, confirming significant high-grade mineralisation of both iron and manganese. The fast-tracked assays from three reverse circulation drill holes reveal a promising dual commodity deposit, with iron and manganese occurring in distinct, high-quality zones.

Hole WDRC057 intersected a 12-meter thick zone averaging 60.1% iron, dominated by hematite, starting just 5 meters below surface. Meanwhile, holes WDRC063 and WDRC069 confirmed manganese mineralisation with grades reaching up to 41% manganese over intervals of 3 to 8 meters. These results reinforce the potential for both commodities to be mined and processed efficiently from the same site.

Geological and Economic Significance

The Wandanya project’s unique geological setting features a clear segregation between high-grade hematite iron and stratabound manganese mineralisation. This zonation is particularly valuable as it allows for the possibility of producing a direct shipping ore (DSO) iron product alongside a beneficiated high-quality manganese concentrate. Such synergy could deliver significant economic benefits through shared infrastructure and streamlined mining and processing operations.

Black Canyon’s Managing Director Brendan Cummins highlighted the exceptional consistency of the manganese horizon, which extends over 3 kilometers and remains open for further expansion. The iron mineralisation, mapped over a 5-kilometer zone, also shows promising lateral continuity and thickness, exceeding initial expectations based on drill logging.

Metallurgical Insights and Next Steps

Preliminary metallurgical testwork on manganese composites from the nearby W2 stratabound zone has demonstrated the ability to produce a premium manganese concentrate exceeding 44% manganese, a benchmark grade for the industry. This supports the commercial viability of the manganese resource at Wandanya.

With assay results pending from an additional 98 drill holes, expected by late July through August, Black Canyon plans to mobilise further drilling in August 2025. This next phase aims to delineate and extend both the manganese and iron mineralisation along their respective strike lengths, potentially unlocking further resource growth.

Strategic Positioning in Western Australia

The Wandanya project is situated on tenement E46/1407, fully owned by Black Canyon, within the underexplored Balfour Manganese Field and Oakover Basin. The area benefits from established native title agreements and completed heritage surveys, facilitating ongoing exploration activities. Black Canyon’s broader portfolio includes a substantial landholding across the region, positioning the company well to capitalise on the growing demand for manganese and iron, both critical to steel manufacturing and battery technologies.