The assay came from a 280 tonne bulk sample from the Ansongo deposit which has been shipped to a smelter in India.

Callabonna Resources (ASX:CUU) has assayed an unbeneficiated bulk sample of 36% manganese, which is from the Ansongo Manganese Project in Mali.

The assay came from a 280 tonne bulk sample from the Ansongo deposit which has been shipped to a smelter in India.

The sample suggests a high grade a high grade manganese and lower silica product could be achieved by Dense Media Separation, with a 5 tonne sample to be sent for testing.

Callabonna currently holding an equivalent interest of 2.1% in the project and is earning another 10% by spending on exploration.

The Ansongo Project is located in north-east Mali close to the borders with Burkina Faso and Niger and connected by goods roads to the south-west African coast

36% manganese sample breakdown

The sample was taken from 10,000 to 15,000 tonnes of crushed and screened manganese that was stockpiled during the construction of access roads on the Takavasita hills in 2011-2012.

Callabonna said that the sample stockpile was not beneficiated in any way.

The sample consisted of approximately 98% lump manganese varying between 1cm and 10cm in diameter.

- 36% manganese;
- 4.6% iron;
- 18% silica;
- 9.8% alumina; and
- 0.1% phosphorus.

• [Editor:Sophie]