http://www.minebox.com.au/story.asp?articleId=10894New high...

http://www.minebox.com.au/story.asp?articleId=10894

New high grade discovery by Talisman

A new manganese discovery has been made in the Pilbara region of Western Australia with initial grades higher than the country’s only onshore operating manganese mine – just 50km away.

The discovery – by listed iron ore explorer, Talisman Mining Ltd – has sampled grades up to 64.96% manganese and averaging 50% manganese.

The samples are from Talisman’s Wandanya project on ELA 46 / 764 located just 50km southwest of Conslidated Minerals’ Woodie Woodie mine, which produces at an average quoted grade of 48% manganese.

Talisman Managing Director, Steve Elliott, says the discovery was accidental – the company at first believing its reconnaissance exploration for iron ore had identified the region’s well known Marra Mamba Iron formations.

At least two of the outcrop samples of massive pyrolusite contain high grade manganese in excess of 60% manganese and were just 175m apart.

A second distinct style of mineralisation was also identified, comprising more moderate grade mixtures of manganese and iron.

“We consider the discovery as very significant given the close proximity of the Woodie Woodie operation, and the grade premium,” Mr Elliott said. “In addition, the outcrop samples of iron formation assayed up to 53.85% iron so there is potential for a future dual manganese – iron operation.

“Although not originally pegged for its unforeseen manganese potential, the company is confident that these preliminary results are an opportunity to define a substantial manganese resource in an established manganese mining field.

“Manganese will therefore present a significant and viable target compliment to Talisman’s iron ore focus.”

The small footprint of the Wandanya project area was only recently pegged by Talisman while targeting a projected northern extension of the Marra Mamba Iron Formation.

Mr Elliott said the discovery’s geological setting was consistent with that of the majority of the manganese deposits in the East Pilbara Manganese Province.

- 25 Feb 2008