Accelerate Resources Partners With CSIRO for Manganese Project Analysis
CSIRO will conduct metallurgical characterisation of the Woodie Woodie North manganese project.
1Strategic Research Collaboration
Accelerate Resources has partnered with the CSIRO to analyse manganese mineralisation at its Woodie Woodie North project. The collaboration is supported by a $50,000 Kick-Start research grant. This initiative aims to decode the metallurgical properties of the deposit, which is located in the prolific Pilbara region of Western Australia.
2Technical Analysis Scope
Dr. Yoram Teitler will lead the study, titled Multiscale Characterisation of Manganese Mineralisation. The team will analyse 150 metres of large-diameter diamond drill core from the Dale’s Patch and Nathan’s Flat prospects. This technical assessment focuses on Area 42, a critical deposit within the company's broader 432 square kilometre tenement area.
3Advanced Diagnostic Methodology
The research process involves two distinct stages. First, CSIRO will log and scan the core using X-ray fluorescence and hyperspectral techniques while measuring hardness. The second stage includes petrographic and microanalytical work to understand mineral formation and weathering effects. These findings will directly inform the company's ongoing metallurgical and ore-sorting testwork.
4Resource Evaluation Goals
The analysis is expected to sharpen the geological understanding of the deposit, aiding future resource evaluation and mine planning. Accelerate Resources CEO Luke Meter noted that accessing CSIRO’s world-class characterisation capability is essential for a company of their size. Understanding ore behavior is fundamental to designing the correct, efficient processing route.
5Project Timeline Expectations
The drill core has already been delivered to CSIRO’s Kensington laboratory in Perth, with work scheduled to commence shortly. The comprehensive study is expected to conclude by mid-2027. At that time, CSIRO will provide a final technical report and recommendations, which will guide the next steps for the Woodie Woodie North project.
6Strategic Commodity Context
Manganese is currently on Australia’s Critical Minerals List due to its essential role in steelmaking and growing use in lithium-ion battery chemistries. Accelerate has defined a maiden inferred resource of 1.2 million tonnes at 19.1 per cent manganese, alongside a larger conceptual exploration target ranging from 5.3 to 10.7 million tonnes.
7High-Grade Surface Potential
Recent mapping identified over 200 manganese outcrops, including high-grade corridors at El Largo and Faris. Rock chips returned up to 59.6 per cent manganese, suggesting potential for a direct-shipping-ore operation. These findings complement the visual manganese reported across a 72-metre downhole span at Nathan’s Flat, further validating the project's significant geological upside.
8Path to Production
For a junior explorer, leveraging CSIRO’s firepower represents a significant strategic milestone. By decoding the ore's metallurgical characteristics, Accelerate Resources aims to unlock project value and accelerate its transition from a Pilbara explorer to a producer. This technical rigor is the key to de-risking the project for future development and operational success.