Accelerate Resources Ltd (ASX:AX8) has delivered a substantial maiden mineral resource and exploration targets for its Woodie Woodie North Manganese Project in Western Australia's Pilbara Region.
The project, based on the company's 2022-2023 drilling campaigns and historical drilling, boasts a global maiden mineral resource estimate of 1.2 million tonnes at 19.1% manganese, using a 15% cut-off.
The largest mineral resource contribution comes from Area 42, with 700,000 tonnes at a notable 20.7% manganese
Preliminary heavy media separation (HMS) test work, conducted on a 150-kilogram composite surface sample from Area 42 in May 2022, revealed the potential to upgrade manganese to a 43.4% manganese premium concentrate.
The results also indicate a direct shipping ore (DSO) potential with an average lump and fine grade of 41.4% manganese and 13.6% iron.
Importantly, the maiden mineral resource combined with exploration target estimates confirm the project’s high grade and scale potential.
MRE summary
Significant upside opportunity
Accelerate executive director Steve Bodon said: “The maiden mineral resources represent a significant step forward for the Woodie Woodie North Project and our shareholders.
“We are focused on growing the mineral resource inventory over the project area, and the company is well positioned to achieve this with the significant upside opportunity the exploration targets present.”
Location of mineral resources at Barra North Area 1, Barra South Areas 3 and 4, and Area 42.
Resource summary
Estimation of the mineral resources was based on the integration of historical drilling data and the company’s recent phase 1 to 4 reverse circulation (RC) drilling campaigns completed during 2022 and 2023 at the Barra North Area 1, Barra South Areas 3 and 4, and Area 42.
The drilling dataset used for the mineral resource estimate (MRE) comprises a total of 398 drill holes for 26,952 metres.
The geological understanding of the geometry of the mineralised manganese occurrences used in the estimate was developed by the interpretation of the drilling results to date, supported by additional detailed surface mapping.
Exploration targets
Exploration targets totalling 5.3-10.7 million tonnes at 10-19% manganese have been estimated for the target areas and prospects within the Woodie Woodie North Project.
The exploration target has been prepared in accordance with the 2012 edition of the JORC Code and is based on the current geological understanding of the geometry of the mineralised manganese occurrences.
This understanding has been developed through detailed surface mapping and exploration drilling completed to date.
Forward plan
A proposed phase 5 RC drilling program is under consideration for 2024 comprising extensional resource definition drilling to grow the mineral resource inventory and follow-up on the recent discovery of large manganese outcrops in the Parsons Creek and Gum Creek corridors.
Proposed metallurgical test work is also under consideration for possible future scoping to pre-feasibility level technical studies for a beneficiation plant.
Proposed activities comprise Sighter metallurgical test work to determine the response of mineralisation to extraction methods, which will provide a basis for further detailed metallurgical testing.
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