Giyani Reports Favorable Manganese Resource Estimate in Botswana

Critical metals explorer Giyani Metals (TSXV:WDG) has released a maiden mineral resource estimate for the company’s 88-percent owned K.Hill manganese deposit in Botswana.

The mineral resource estimate was completed by South African company MSA Group and provided favorable results for the Canadian manganese explorer.

According to the MSA estimations, the Botswanian deposit includes an inferred resource of 1.1 million tonnes, with a grading of 31.2 percent manganese oxide (MnO) at a cut-off grade of 18 percent MnO.

“This maiden resource at K.Hill represents a significant milestone in the development of our company,” Robin Birchall, CEO of Giyani Metals, said in the press release. “The scale of this resource gives us confidence to immediately proceed with a preliminary economic assessment.”

The diamond drill program, which ran from April 16, 2018 to July 2, 2018, provided the geochemical analyses and density measurements of core samples, needed for the maiden resource estimate.

In total, 18 holes were drilled, of which 12 intersected the manganese shale. The material obtained from 10 of the drill holes was used to estimate the grade of the mineral resource.

The remainder was used to delineate and define the extent of the mineralization.

“We now have a proven tangible asset that adds intrinsic value to our shareholders. Giyani will grow from this point onwards with the goal of becoming an independent, vertically integrated, manganese supplier to the battery market,” added Birchall.

The data collected during the three-month drill program was also used to create a three dimensional geological model, helping to pinpoint the density and mineralization grade. The model also accounted for the depletion of resource due to historical mining.

“The laboratory scale test-work on samples from the hole drilled for metallurgical test-work indicates that the manganese mineralization and leach chemistry are well suited for solvent extraction,” said Dr. Ian Flint, the lead on Giyani’s hydrometallurgical testing team. “A manganese recovery of over 95 percent was achieved at this stage.”

The company will now move ahead with a preliminary economic assessment for the project.

“By developing the K.Hill prospect into its full potential and continuing to prove other prospects within our large property, we are putting Giyani on the map as an active player in the growing battery electric vehicle market,” added Birchall.

Giyani shares were slightly up at open on Monday (October 1), trading at C$0.28.

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Securities Disclosure: I, Georgia Williams, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.