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Highlights
- Blackstone confirms over 300m of high-grade copper-gold at Mankayan
- Project positioned near major Philippine mining operations
- Strategic focus supports scalable, low-capex development
Blackstone Minerals (ASX:BSX) has uncovered a significant high-grade copper-gold zone at its newly acquired Mankayan project in the Philippines, reinforcing the company’s strategic expansion into the region. The promising results come from its maiden drilling campaign since acquiring 100% of IDM International earlier this year.
Previously known for its nickel-focused ventures in Vietnam, Blackstone’s diversification move appears to be paying off. The first drill hole completed under IDM International’s program intersected more than 300 metres of strong mineralisation, affirming Mankayan’s status as a globally competitive undeveloped copper-gold porphyry project.
Strategic and Economic Upside
This core intersection adds weight to Mankayan’s reputation, with indications of a high-grade mineralised system that can support a low-capital-expenditure, high-return model. The company is evaluating selective mining techniques such as long-hole open stoping to extract the ore. Such a method could reduce startup capital requirements significantly while ensuring robust returns.
The flexibility in the development approach offers Blackstone a strong advantage. It enables phased, scalable growth that could complement the company's broader vision of building a diversified portfolio of economically viable copper-gold assets.
Expansion Opportunities and Regional Advantage
Importantly, the mineralised zone remains open at depth and to the north, offering avenues for substantial future resource expansion. A second drill hole, aimed at metallurgical and geotechnical analysis, has already been completed, with assays now pending.
Strategically located, Mankayan lies just 2.5 kilometres from major established operations including the Lepanto gold mine and the Far Southeast project. This proximity enhances development logistics, particularly in terms of access to infrastructure and services, further boosting the project’s economic attractiveness.
As demand for critical minerals like copper and gold continues to rise, the Mankayan project strengthens Blackstone’s position in the regional mining landscape. Its potential scalability and economic resilience align well with broader market themes and resource-sector growth on the S&P/ASX 200 index.
For investors exploring resilient opportunities in the commodity sector, Blackstone’s progress at Mankayan adds another compelling dimension. And with rising interest in ASX dividend stocks, developments like these could attract long-term capital positioning in quality assets.
