Watch the Black Canyon Limited Corporate Showcase

A manganese discovery first identified through Google Earth.
Since then, Black Canyon Limited (ASX:BCA) has progressed Wandanya into a three-kilometre shallow mineralised system supported by nearly 1,000 drill holes and encouraging pilot-scale metallurgical results.

Managing Director Brendan Cummins joins Scarlet Alexander in our latest Corporate Showcase to explore Wandanya’s scale, development potential, infrastructure advantages, and the milestones ahead.

Black Canyon Limited Corporate Showcase - Transcript

Black Canyon Limited (ASX) is advancing a portfolio of manganese projects across Western Australia’s Pilbara region, led by its flagship Wandanya Project.

Originally identified through Google Earth, Wandanya has since developed into a shallow, strike-extensive manganese and iron discovery supported by extensive drilling, encouraging metallurgical results and access to existing regional infrastructure.

In this Barclay Pearce Capital Corporate Showcase, Managing Director Brendan Cummins joins Scarlet to discuss what differentiates Wandanya, the work completed to reduce project risk and the milestones expected to shape Black Canyon’s next phase of development.

The following responses have been lightly edited for clarity and readability.

Q: What differentiates Black Canyon’s project portfolio and the Wandanya opportunity?

Brendan Cummins: The Wandanya discovery is really unique. I can explain how I actually found it. I was looking on Google Earth in the eastern Pilbara and could see some black outcrops. The ground was vacant, so we went and pegged it. It cost approximately $20,000.  I went out there and completed some mapping and rock-chip sampling, and the manganese grades were very high—above 50%. We then mapped it out over approximately two kilometres, and I thought, “This is a really significant manganese system that no one has ever sampled, drilled or done anything on.”

As I was walking around the outcrops, I also started to notice iron ore mineralisation, so I took some samples of that. Those samples returned more than 60% iron content. Through last year, we completed another couple of drilling programs and started to flesh out the scale of the deposit.  We now understand there is a seam of manganese that is at least three kilometres long, generally five to ten metres thick and outcropping at surface.

Above that, there is also iron mineralisation that is approximately five to fifteen metres thick. In terms of the grade profiles we are seeing across the manganese and iron, I believe it is one of the better manganese discoveries made in decades. That is what sets us apart from some other explorers. We have demonstrated scale at an early stage, as well as a dual-commodity focus. Having the iron ore there is certainly a bonus for the company.

Q: Over the past 12 months, which achievements have been most important in reducing project risk and building confidence in the company’s future?

Brendan Cummins: At the time of recording, we had drilled approximately 23,000 metres into the deposit. That represents nearly 1,000 drill holes across the project. From a geological perspective, I believe that risk has been substantially reduced. The mineralisation is very continuous, outcropping and shallow. The next step is understanding the mining risk, but because it is shallow and outcropping, we are potentially looking at very shallow pits. The beauty of a deposit that is this long is that it gives you optionality. We may be able to begin by mining some of the iron ore and then move into the manganese. 

We also recently completed pilot-scale metallurgical testwork. That testwork produced a manganese concentrate grading between 38.5% and 40%, with recoveries of approximately 80%. Those results represent another important step in de-risking the project and give us greater confidence in the potential processing pathway.

Q: How does the existing infrastructure support the project’s potential development?

Brendan Cummins: We are some distance from the coast—just over 500 kilometres—but there is already a haul road built by another company that passes right by our doorstep.

From there, the route continues to Woody Woody and then through to Port Hedland, where the Utah Point facility has capacity to receive manganese and iron and load those products onto ships.

That route is sealed, which gives the project an existing potential pathway to market.

Q: Looking ahead over the next six to twelve months, what are the key milestones investors should be watching?

Brendan Cummins:  We expect to announce a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate and then move directly into a scoping study.  The scoping study will be the first financial evaluation we have undertaken on the project, and we are targeting completion by the end of the year. I have also had multiple discussions with potential end users, including potential offtake partners and marketing groups.

Those discussions are taking place at a very early stage because we do not yet have a resource or financial evaluation. However, I believe those groups recognise that this is a significant manganese discovery, particularly within the Pilbara and the broader Australian context.

In addition to the Mineral Resource Estimate and scoping study, the company will continue progressing environmental surveys, engaging with the EPA and regulators, applying for the relevant mining and miscellaneous licences and continuing discussions with potential end users for both manganese and iron.

We are also looking to expand the team by bringing in experienced mining professionals who have been involved in developing and operating mines.

This content has been prepared for general information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Investors should conduct their own research and consider their individual circumstances before making an investment decision.