Black Canyon Unveils High-Grade Manganese Expansion at Wandanya with $10M Boost

Strong Drilling Results Extend Wandanya Mineralisation

Black Canyon Limited (ASX – BCA) has delivered a compelling update on its Wandanya manganese and iron project in Western Australia's Pilbara region. The September quarter saw the completion of Phase 2 and 3 reverse circulation (RC) drilling programs, which collectively confirmed a substantial and consistent mineralised system extending at least 3 kilometres north from the original W2 discovery. The mineralisation remains open in multiple directions, with cross-strike widths ranging from 160 to 500 metres.

Notably, the drilling intersected shallow, thick zones of high-grade manganese, with several holes averaging above 35% manganese content. Assay highlights include intervals such as 7 metres at 40.1% manganese from surface and 6 metres at 39.3% manganese from 6 metres depth. Iron mineralisation also proved significant, with grades exceeding 58% iron over substantial widths, confirming the project's dual-commodity potential.

Resource Upgrade and Strategic Capital Raise

Following the drilling success, Black Canyon upgraded the KR2 Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE), with 90% now classified as Indicated. This upgrade enhances confidence in the resource's quality and supports forthcoming feasibility and economic evaluations. The combined KR1 and KR2 deposits now total 104 million tonnes at 10.3% manganese, containing approximately 10.7 million tonnes of manganese metal.

To underpin ongoing exploration and development, the company completed a $10 million placement during the quarter. These funds are earmarked for further drilling, diamond core sampling for metallurgical testwork, feasibility studies, and broader exploration activities across Black Canyon's extensive tenement holdings.

Leadership and Project Advancement

In a strategic move to accelerate project advancement, Black Canyon appointed Clinton Moxham, an experienced geologist and mining engineer with over two decades in iron ore and manganese operations, to lead exploration and development efforts at Wandanya. His expertise is expected to drive the transition from discovery to resource definition and project development.

Looking ahead, the company plans to commence diamond drilling to generate material for detailed metallurgical testing, conduct heritage surveys to facilitate further drilling, and complete the acquisition of the Ndalamo tenements. This acquisition will expand the project footprint, enabling exploration of northern and southern extensions of the mineralised system.

Context within the Pilbara and Market Implications

Black Canyon's projects cover over 2,000 square kilometres in the East Pilbara, a premier mining jurisdiction with proximity to established manganese operations like Woodie Woodie and Butcherbird. The company’s manganese resources are positioned to serve both the steel industry and the growing battery market, where high-purity manganese sulphate monohydrate is critical for electric vehicle cathodes.

With a strong cash position of $11.6 million and no debt, Black Canyon is well-capitalised to pursue its exploration and development agenda. The recent drilling results and resource upgrades reinforce the project's scale and quality, potentially positioning Wandanya as a significant new manganese and iron supplier in a market with robust long-term fundamentals.