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Australian mining company Black Canyon Limited has announced the Mineral Resource Estimate or MRE for its fully owned Wandanya Deposit in Western Australia. The estimate shows a high‑grade resource of both manganese and iron.
On September 29 Black Canyon announced that the worldwide resource is 23.6 million tonnes, with a grade of 25.8% manganese when a 12% cut‑off is used. It also reported 12.5 million tonnes of iron at a grade of 54.9% when a 50% cut‑off is applied. Over ninety percent of the manganese and all of the iron resource are classified as Measured or Indicated.
These results give Black Canyon a resource base. Black Canyon now moves Wandanya from exploration into the stages of development assessment.
Wandanya Shows Grade Manganese and Iron Potential
The Wandanya deposit has shallow exposed mineralisation that stretches over a 3.4 kilometre strike length. The estimate shows that there are high‑grade manganese and iron zones that could support direct‑shipping ore or DSO operations.
Black Canyon estimates that 3.7 million tonnes of DSO has a grade of 38.9% manganese at a 35% cut‑off. For iron Black Canyon estimates 5.5 million tonnes of DSO with a grade of 57.9% iron at a 55% cut‑off. All of the iron DSO is classified as Measured.
These figures matter because DSO material may cut down the processing needed for mineral projects. However the economic and operational viability of Wandanya still has to be proven by studies.
Metallurgical Tests Support Processing Options
Initial metallurgical work has also provided indications of how the manganese and iron resources could potentially be upgraded.
Pilot-scale testing using dense media separation increased manganese feed grades to as much as 41% Mn while achieving recoveries of up to 80%. For the iron material, drop tower testing produced a lump product grading 59.7% Fe, according to Black Canyon.
The test results do not establish commercial production economics, but they provide technical inputs for the company’s ongoing assessment of potential development pathways.
Scoping Study Moves Wandanya Toward Development Assessment
Following the maiden resource estimate, Black Canyon is progressing a Scoping Study covering preliminary economics, potential dual-commodity development and DSO opportunities.
The company expects the study to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2026. Its outcome will provide further information on the potential scale, processing approach and economic considerations associated with developing Wandanya.
The project is also being assessed against Australia’s manganese supply landscape. Black Canyon states that Australia currently has two operating manganese mines, Woodie Woodie and Groote Eylandt. Against this backdrop, additional domestic manganese resources could have implications for the country’s future supply base, although Wandanya remains at a development stage and would require further technical, environmental and economic evaluation.
Adding to Black Canyons Regional Resource Base
Wandanya also increases the resource potential within Black Canyons Balfour Manganese Field (BMF) portfolio.
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The company states that the BMF currently has a Mineral Resource Estimate of 315 million tonnes grading 10.5% Mn. Wandanya adds a much higher-grade resource into that portfolio giving Black Canyon another possible development plan within its Western Australian exploration interests.
For mining and materials companies the creation of high-grade manganese and iron resources can be important for future raw-material supply especially as manufacturers keep watching the availability and quality of critical mineral inputs.
However the Wandanya announcement is a resource milestone, than a production decision. More technical studies, project economics, approvals and development work will be required before the deposits commercial potential can be fully checked.
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