Weelarrana near-surface manganese hits are just the start for Pantera

Maiden drilling at Pantera’s Weelarrana project in WA’s Collier Basin has confirmed the presence of near surface manganese mineralisation with a top assay of 24.1%.

Other notable intercepts from the drilling, which saw manganese intercepted in 16 out of the 30 holes drilled, include 5m grading 12.3% manganese from surface (WRC001), 3m at 19.7% manganese from a down-hole depth of 3m (WRC013) and 2m at 17.1% manganese from 3m (WRC019).

This work has defined mineralisation over a 600m strike at the Manganese Area 1, which remains open to the north and east.

And there’s more to come.

Besides the other known mineralised areas, Manganese Area 2, 3 and 4, Pantera Minerals’ (ASX:PFE) chief executive officer Matt Hansen noted that recent soil and rock chip sampling completed in December 2022 has identified outcropping manganese mineralisation over two broad areas in tenement E52/4071, which “adds to the potential for the discovery of a high-grade manganese mineralisation project”.

“We now look forward to progressing the Project through further exploration with drilling of the other known mineralised areas, Mn Areas 2, 3 and 4 in Q2 2023.”

Each of the two new areas measure about 2,500m by 1,000m.

Drill results and forward program

Manganese mineralisation was intercepted on four of the five drill lines over a 600m strike length with the company noting that the most consistent manganese mineralisation was noted between drill holes WRC019 to WRC024.

The results on this drill line and the adjacent drill line to the east are still open to the north while the western drill line – WRC025 to WRC030 appears to close off manganese mineralisation to the west.

Pantera is now planning an infill reverse circulation drill program at Manganese Area 1 to better understand the manganese grade and thickness variability through the centre of the completed drill program area as well as extend manganese mineralisation to the north and east.

It will also permit drill programs over Manganese Areas 2, 3 and 4 with RC drilling expected to re-commence in the second quarter of this year.

This article was developed in collaboration with Pantera Minerals (ASX:PFE), a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.