ACCELERATE RESOURCES LIMITED Accelerate Resources Limited reported encouraging new results from its Phase 2 drilling campaign at the Woodie Woodie North Manganese project in Western Australia's Pilbara. Assay results confirm the presence of large and well developed hydrothermal zones at Area 42, with the potential for substantial manganese resources to be delineated. In Phase 2, AX8 completed 46 holes (2,400 m) to follow up near surface manganese outcrop and historical drill intersections and to define extensions of known manganese mineralisation along strike and at depth.
Thirty holes returned good intercepts greater than 3 m above 8.5% Mn. Two large surface slabs of outcropping manganese were shown to be connected and exhibit internal continuity. A substantial mineralised cap measuring 2 m to 7 m in thickness over an area of 120m by 25 m to 35 m in width was discovered to be mineralised.
In addition, a triangular zone of deeper mineralisation centred on WNRC059 (which totalled 20 m at 23% Mn) remains open to the NE and represents an excellent target. Significant intervals included: WNRC047 7 m @ 26.4% Mn & 5.7% Fe from surface incl. 4 m @ 28.9% Mn & 6% Fe from surface; WNRC054 5 m @ 33.7 Mn & 13.4% Fe from surface; WNRC059 12 m @ 18.3% Mn & 9.5% Fe from surface and 8 m @ 30.8% Mn, 2.7% Fe from 13 m. The surface outcrops at Nathan's Flat extend over 65 m x 20 m to 25 m along a NNW axis and 75 m x 20 m to 35 m on a NE axis joined as a rough T-shape.
This shows the manganese cap remains untested along its NE edge and may extend under thin alluvial cover to the SW past WNRC065 where 11 m @ 21.5% Mn was intersected. Ten of the 15 holes drilled at Nathan's Flat recorded manganese over a minimum interval of 3 m. The first drill hole, WNRC060, recorded Mn mineralisation from 3 m to 71 m in six intervals ranging in thickness from 3 m to 13 m (totalling 44 m). Maximum values of 35.5% and 33.5% Mn were recorded at 3 m and 19 m depths respectively.
The individual intervals are listed below. WNRC060 overall 44 m @16.3 % Mn & 13.2% Fe (weighted averages): 4 m @ 23.4% Mn & 6.5% Fe from 3 m, incl. 1 m @ 35.5% Mn & 1.3 % Fe from 3m; 13 m @ 17.3% Mn & 14.1% Fe from 14 m; 10 m @ 12.1% Mn & 4.7% Fe from 32 m; 9 m @ 14.2% & 8.7% Fe from 43 m; 3 m @ 21,5% Mn & 7.6% Fe from 57 m; 5 m @ 17.3% Mn & 36.1% Fe from 66 m. Adjacent holes, WNRC063 and 74 returned the following results: WNRC063 9 m @ 22% Mn & 8.7% Fe from 4 m, incl.
2m @ 34% Mn & 5.8% Fe from 9 m. WNRC074 - 6 m @ 28.4% Mn & 9.9% Fe from 3 m, incl. 3 m @ 37.4% Mn & 9.1% Fe from 5 m (with maximum 42.9% Mn). WNRC065 11 m @ 21.5% Mn & 12.7% Fe from surface, incl 3m @ 38.5% Mn & 9.1% Fe from surface (with maximum 40.9% Mn).
The long section below depicts the development of the near surface cap and the continuity of mineralisation from hole to hole. Deeper manganese mineralisation was intersected in several holes (five in total), indicating that low to moderate grade mineralisation exists to significant depths beneath the surface cap (down to a maximum of 71 m). There is insufficient deep drilling at this stage to establish lateral continuity or orientation, but there appear to be two irregular slabs of manganese mineralisation centred on holes WNRC060 and WNRC067 respectively.
Six holes were initially drilled over a series of layered manganese outcrops. The holes were drilled to confirm the historic drilling results (e.g. BX76 6 m @ 39.9% Mn from the surface) and to test for the presence of deeper mineralisation. Deeper, lower-grade intersections were located in holes WNRC034 and 37.
The results indicate that the manganese outcrops downslope and to the west of WNRC037 and penetrate back into the slope as far as WNRC034, indicating the potential for a significant mineralisation. Significant intervals included: WNRC034 - 4 m @ 12.3% Mn & 2.5% Fe from 20 m; WNRC036 6 m @ 16.4% Mn & 17.3% Fe from 27 m; WNRC037 4 m @ 12.9% & 23.5% Fe from 3 m; WNRC038 7 m @ 31.4% Mn & 1 9% Fe from surface with a maximum assay of 42.2% Mn from 1 m. Dirk's Valley: Four holes were drilled at Dirk's Valley, with all intersecting modest-grade manganese with low iron. The best results were achieved in the neighbouring holes, WNRC077 (12 m at 12.7% Mn & 3.8% Fe from 15 m) and WNRC076 (8 m at 18.3% Mn & 2.2% Fe from 14 m).
Because WNRC077 was directed to the SW and WNRC077 to the W, this represents a triangular shaped slab of low-grade mineralisation worthy of additional drilling. It is noteworthy that sub 5% iron content enhances the target's potential. Significant intervals included: WNRC077 12 m @ 12.7% Mn & 3.8% Fe from 15 m; WNRC076 8 m @ 18.3% Mn & 2.2% Fe from 14 m; WNRC076 5 m @ 15.4% Mn & 1.6% Fe from 31 m; WNRC075 3 m @ 14% Mn & 3.1% Fe from 36 m. Accelerate's Critical Minerals Strategy: The Company has engaged Perth based engineering firm Simulus Laboratories to conduct a preliminary test work program to produce HPMSM.
High Purity Manganese, also known as battery grade manganese, is purchased in either metal or sulphate form by cathode and battery manufacturers. High Purity Manganese is used in lithium-ion battery cathodes, specialty steels, aluminium and chemicals. The work has been carried out since late 2022, with material collected from surface mineralisation within Area 42.
The purpose of the test work is to develop a refining process to produce high purity manganese sulphate crystals (MnSO4) from a Braeside West concentrate. Simulus has extensive experience in manganese projects and within the wider minerals industry and is ideally placed to complete this scope of work. The Company is expected to receive results of the preliminary test work by end of February 2023.
Future Work: Planning is underway for the Phase 3 drilling program. Follow up drilling of the presently defined targets at Dale's Patch and Nathan's Flat will be completed, and the extents and continuity of the mineralisation confirmed. Detailed drilling will be undertaken at Chris's Ridge and Drape's Hill to continue defining the surface cap mineralisation and to identify deeper mineralised zones.
Additional scout drilling along the Dirk's Valley line towards the discovery at Drews Find (WNRC017) is planned. Work programs for new targets identified will be developed in the coming weeks.
