Highlights

• First batch of assay results for the KR1 target have confirmed thick manganese enriched shale mineralisation.
• KR1 is one of the six key targets drilled within the Balfour Manganese Field.
• The Company expects to receive further assay results in the next two to three months.
• As part of the expanded HPMSM variability study, leaching testwork, which includes KR1 material, has been completed.

Black Canyon Limited (ASX: BCA), a manganese explorer and developer, has received the first batch of assays from reverse circulation (RC) drilling within the Balfour Manganese Field in Western Australia’s Pilbara region. The campaign, covering ~7,000m, focused on six targets, including KR1.

The assay results have confirmed the widespread thick manganese enriched shale mineralisation at the KR1 prospect. The manganese discovery at KR1 extends over a 1,500m strike. Numerous high-grade significant intersections have been reported from surface or near to surface at the prospect.

• 16m @ 15.1% Mn from 3m (KRR004)
• 22m @ 13.3% Mn from 11m (KRR005)
• 24m @ 13% Mn from 8m (KRRC006)
• 27m @ 11.8% Mn from 4m (KRRC009)
• 21m @ 9.6% Mn from 15m until EOH (KRRC010)
• 15m @ 12.9% Mn from surface (KRRC014)
• 23m @ 10.4% Mn from 4m (KRRC016)

The Company has sent all samples to the laboratory for analysis, and further assay results are expected in the coming two to three months.

Meanwhile, Black Canyon is progressing with feedstock variability studies. As part of the High Purity Manganese Sulphate (HPMSM) variability study, leaching testwork was conducted on four samples out of seven surface samples collected across the field.

Leaching has been completed on the selected samples, and the results are being collated before finalising a single sample which will go through purification and HPMSM crystallisation.

Data Source: Company update

More

The aim was to drill test several targets across the company’s 100%-owned tenements within the field. As a part of the drilling program, 220 holes were drilled for 6,972m across six target areas.

The latest drilling results concern the two drill lines, which are 200m apart across the KR1 drill target.

Overall geology, grade, and mineralisation thickness are similar to those encountered at

Flanagan Bore where 171Mt @ 10.3% Mn of Mineral Resource has been delineated from the FB3 and LR1 deposits.

Data source: Company update 

Significant location of the prospects

BCA highlighted that the KR1 and KR2 prospects are 8km from the historic Nicholas Downs Manganese Mine, owned by Hancock Prospecting. It was mined by Mineral Resources between 2010 and 2011.

The most recent non-JORC Mineral Resource Estimate for the mine is 19.5Mt @ 27% Mn.

BCA shares traded at AU$0.140 apiece on 23 August 2023.