American Tungsten (CSE:TUNG) says progress on rehabilitation at its IMA Mine in Patterson, Idaho in the US supports starting diamond drilling, which is scheduled for the end of November 2025.
The company has expanded the scope of its phase one drilling program, which will now include 10,000 feet of drilling across three stations on the D Level and two stations on the Zero Level.
The program is designed to establish geological continuity of the polymetallic tungsten quartz vein system up-dip of the D level and to test additional vein systems from the Zero level intersected in mid-2000s Gentor drillholes.
D Level progress includes excavation of the access crosscut to the diamond drill stations on D Level continues and is now 54% complete (100ft) with 86ft of excavation remaining.
It is expected that the first diamond drill station will be reached by the end of next week.
The drill rig and power packs are on site and will be mobilised underground once the drill station is expanded and bolted.
Rehabilitation of the Zero Level continues, and it is estimated that the remaining visible debris area will be cleared by the end of next week.
American Tungsten says this will allow access to previously rehabilitated areas on the zero level, including new drifts around unstable areas developed by 1970s operations.
At this time, American Tungsten will be able to assess what, if any, additional rehabilitation at the Zero Level may be needed to support drilling from the zero level.
Additional work staff have been secured by the contractor to ensure that the work progress at the Zero Level is being performed in parallel with work progress at the D Level.
The company has already begun initial planning for phase two of its diamond drill program that will extend the scope of the program into Q1 2026, and looks forward to continuing to provide updates to the market in the coming weeks.
American Tungsten has received a letter of interest from the US Export-Import Bank (EXIM) for up to US$25.5 million ($39.4 million) for development and milling activities at the IMA Tungsten Mine in Idaho, US.
The company has met initial requirements to receive the loan, which will hold a 15-year repayment term. Earlier this week Mining.com.au reported the company completed a C$18 capital raising to similarly cover development costs at the mine. American Tungsten states that funding will help boost the local supply chain of tungsten.
Write to Adam Orlando at Mining.com.au
Images: American Tungsten
