Dreadnought Resources (ASX:DRE) confirms ‘significant’ tungsten mineralisation across its Mangaroon and Mangaroon South projects in Western Australia’s Gascoyne region.
The company reports rock chip results up to 12.70% tungsten trioxide (WO3) at the Nina target within Mangaroon, where multiple quartz-scheelite veins extend over 800m of strike and 100m width.
Recent sampling by Dreadnought returned grades including 6.50% WO3, 3.30% WO3, 2.40% WO3, and 1.40% WO3.
At Mangaroon South, Dreadnought has begun sampling more than a dozen scheelite occurrences mapped by German uranium explorer Urangesellschaft in 1982. Initial results from the Mulka Well prospect confirm tungsten mineralisation with grades up to 1.90% WO3.
Managing Director Dean Tuck says tungsten has become a valuable critical metal and the Gascoyne presents an opportunity for “multiple significant … discoveries”.
“While we remain focused on gold, adding in high-grade tungsten targets will ensure we pursue the most attractive opportunities to add value through discovery and diversify our exploration and potential development opportunities,” Tuck says.
“One of the most attractive aspects of the tungsten opportunity is how little additional work will be required to define targets for drilling and towards making a discovery.”
Dreadnought notes global tungsten mines typically report resource grades of 0.20% to 0.50% WO3, while ‘high-grade’ deposits range from 0.50% to over 1.80% WO3.
The company intends to undertake reverse circulation drilling at Nina by the end of 2026 or start of 2027, with sampling and mapping of Mangaroon South prospects commencing in September.
Nina sits within the Leake Spring Metamorphics along the Minga Bar shear zone, approximately 60km along strike from Dreadnought’s Cullen’s Find, Midday Moon, and Midnight Star gold targets.
The tungsten exploration will run in parallel with the company’s gold programs at Mangaroon and aircore drilling at its Illaara Project.
Dreadnought holds a 27,000-ounce gold resource at 11.10 grams per tonne at its Star of Mangaroon mine and a 24,900-ounce resource at 5.20g/t at Metzke’s Find within Illaara.
Dreadnought Resources is an explorer focused on discovering and developing gold, base metals, and critical minerals, including rare earths, copper, niobium, and cobalt.
Write to Paula Fabe at Mining.com.au
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