Accelerate Resources Ltd (ASX:AX8) has fielded encouraging new results from a phase two drilling campaign at the Woodie Woodie North Manganese project in WA’s Pilbara returning up to 5 metres at 33.7% manganese from surface, including 1-metre at 50.8%.
Assays have returned the highest manganese grades yet within the project area and confirm the presence of large and well-developed hydrothermal zones at Area 42, with the potential for substantial manganese resources.
During the campaign, AX8 drilled 46 holes across 2,400 metres to follow up near-surface manganese outcrop and historical drill intersections and to define extensions of known manganese mineralisation along strike and at depth.
"Exceptional results"
Managing director Yaxi Zhan said: “We are highly encouraged by the outstanding drilling results. Thirty of 46 holes returned ore grade intercepts with maximum assays of 40% to 50.8% manganese recorded in multiple drilling locations.”
“These exceptional results represent only the very early stages of our efforts to delineate significant high-grade resources across our 35-kilometre-long Woodie Woodie North Project with a series of extensive high-grade zones already identified across the project."
Highlights
Thirty holes returned intersections greater than 3 metres above 8.5% manganese.
Accelerate has confirmed that the mineralisation extends at depth and over significant strike length from infill drilling. Broad, high-grade manganese zones with low iron intersected from shallow depths at Area 42 include:
- 7 metres at 31.4% manganese from surface, including 1-metre at 42.2% from 1 metre;
- 7 metres at 24.6%, including 4 metres at 28.9% from surface;
- 5 metres 33.7% from surface, including 1-metre at 50.8% from 1 metre;
- 12 metres at 18.3% from surface;
- 8 metres at 30.8% from 13 metres, including 1-metre at 50.7% from 18 metres; and
- 44 metres at 16.3 % manganese and 13.2% iron from 3 to 71 metres (weighted averages, non-continuous), including 4 metres at 23.4% from 3 metres, 13 metres at 17.3% manganese from 14 metres and 10 metres at 12.1% manganese from 32 metres.
Importantly, this program confirms the presence of large and well-developed hydrothermal (Woodie Woodie style) zones at Area 42, with the potential for substantial manganese resources to be delineated.
Area 42 represents the first of a series of extensive outcropping undrilled manganese targets identified by AX8 mapping across the 35-kilometre strike of the project.
What’s next?
Planning for an aggressive phase three drilling program is now underway.
The results from a High Purity Manganese Sulphate Monohydrate (HPMSM) test work program are due in February.
“Accelerate is continuing to build its unique value proposition to supply the market with a highly sought-after, high-grade premium manganese product,” Zhan said.