Highlights

• Thick manganese mineralisation has been confirmed at Balfour East within the Balfour Manganese Field.
• The cross-strike width at Balfour East is between 220m and 300m with a strike extent of 600m.
• Balfour East is one of the six key targets drilled as part of the latest RC drilling across the field.
• Assay results from the remaining targets are expected in the coming month.

ASX-listed manganese explorer and developer Black Canyon Limited (ASX: BCA) has received assay results from a reverse circulation (RC) drilling campaign at the Balfour East Discovery, located within the Balfour Manganese Field.

Under the drilling program, only a small section of outcropping mineralisation was drilled at Balfour East. The results indicated thick manganese enriched shale mineralisation zones from the first pass drill campaign.

Below are the significant intersections reported at the Balfour East target –

Data source: company update

The assay results confirm a cross strike width of 200-300m and a minimum 600m strike extent. 

The assay results further reinforce the prospectivity of the Balfour Manganese Field, highlights the company.

Data source: Company update

For the previous set of assay results for the Balfour Manganese Field, click here.

Encouraging assay results at Balfour East

BCA performed RC drilling across six targets including Balfour East in July this year. The RC drilling campaign comprised 220 holes for 6,927m, of which 36 holes for 1,120m were drilled across the Balfour East project area.

Data Source: Company update

At present, the full geometry of the mineralisation is not known, as the dip of the mineralisation is not assessed yet. To establish the mineralisation geometry, further drilling is required, informed BCA.

The company also concluded four regional drill lines in the project area to understand the stratigraphy, aiming to plan future RC drill programs to target shallowly buried manganese enriched shale horizons.

Some manganese mineralisation was encountered at two of the four lines, with the results being assessed against regional geophysical datasets to ascertain relationships amongst drill results, outcropping geology and geophysical signatures, which are expected to assist in planning follow-up drill campaigns.

All the assays have been received for Balfour East targets; however, further assays are pending for the remaining KR1 drill holes, KR2, Pickering and Damsite targets. Pending assay results are expected to be received and reviewed in the coming month.

Meanwhile, BCA is advancing manganese oxide High Purity Manganese Sulphate (HPMSM) feedstock variability studies. To know the details, click here.

Black Canyon shares traded at AU$0.12 apiece on 2 October 2023.