American Tungsten (CSE: TUNG) has kicked off its Phase 1 diamond drill program at the IMA Mine in Idaho, aiming to validate and extend multiple tungsten vein systems across the past-producing operation as the company advances its pathway toward potential US-based production.
The program, totalling roughly 12,100 feet across stations on both the D Level and Zero Level, follows detailed modelling of historical mine records and drilling. Priority targets include the No. 5 and No. 7 Veins, the Western and Eastern vein systems, and the Main IMA Vein — all historically defined zones now being tested for continuity and expansion.
Drilling has commenced from the first station on the D Level, where at least five holes (~1,950 feet) are planned to confirm vein geometry and build confidence in the tungsten-silver system. Further drift development is progressing to open additional drill stations, with another 3,500 feet of drilling scheduled through late December and January. Work on the Zero Level continues, supporting a larger ~6,700-foot drill program aimed at testing additional molybdenum-bearing structures.
CEO Ali Haji said the program represents a “key step” in advancing the mine toward commercial restart, noting contractors are operating at pace and that the company intends to deliver a sequence of operational milestones through Q1 2026.
IMA is one of the United States’ most significant historical tungsten mines, having produced nearly 200,000 MTUs of WO₃ between 1945 and 1957. American Tungsten continues to assess the viability of restarting underground operations amid renewed strategic interest in domestic tungsten supply.
Images: American Tungsten
