Black Canyon (ASX:BCA) extends manganese footprint at Wandanya

Black Canyon (ASX:BCA) is quietly but methodically proving up the scale of its Wandanya manganese and iron discovery in Western Australia, with its third round of drilling confirming mineralisation along a 3km strike.

The Perth-based explorer completed 148 reverse circulation holes totalling 3,831 metres in its Phase 3 program, bringing the project tally to 284 holes for 6,777 metres.

The results show a laterally consistent, stratabound manganese horizon persisting over hundreds of metres across strike and thousands of metres along strike. Iron enrichment, encountered in parallel horizons, adds further upside.

Highlights

• 3km strike confirmed for stratabound manganese mineralisation.

• Additional 300m of mapped outcrop to the south awaiting drill testing.

• Iron formations mapped over 3km to the north, with thicknesses of up to 12 metres intersected in drilling.

• Shallow drilling depth averaging just 24 metres across all programs.

• Future plans include diamond drilling for metallurgical testwork, with assays expected through October–November.

Managing Director Brendan Cummins said the consistent results underscore both the scale and shallow nature of the mineralisation.

“Completing our third RC drill program at Wandanya in less than 12 months has demonstrated the lateral continuity and shallow depths to the manganese and iron mineralisation,” he said. “From the drill programs we can confidently identify the footwall and hanging wall sequences, with the manganese horizon persisting over hundreds of metres across strike and thousands of metres along strike.”

The company has also mapped hematite-rich iron formations north of the current drill lines, extending for more than 3km.

With manganese and iron mineralisation still open in multiple directions, the next phase will include a diamond core program to generate samples for metallurgical testwork, alongside heritage surveys to extend exploration access.

The significance of Wandanya lies in its emerging scale and its positioning within the Balfour Manganese Field and Oakover Basin, where Black Canyon controls 2,300 square kilometres of ground.

Across its portfolio, Black Canyon has already defined a global mineral resource of 314Mt at 10.4% manganese.

Manganese remains an essential feedstock in steel alloys and is increasingly viewed as a critical mineral in lithium-ion battery cathodes.

As such, Black Canyon’s progress at Wandanya comes amid heightened interest in securing long-term supply chains for battery metals and alloying inputs.

For investors seeking exposure to the energy transition thematic, Wandanya’s shallow, laterally extensive mineralisation positions Black Canyon to play an important role in Western Australia’s growing manganese story.

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