Right Resources (ASX:RRE) has reported an indicative tungsten recovery of 81.6% from preliminary heavy liquid separation (HLS) test work on a composite sample from its Blue Tungsten Prospect in New South Wales.
At a crush size of less than 1mm, the sink product graded 66.5% tungsten trioxide (WO₃) under laboratory conditions.
However, the 32kg composite was collected from surface outcrop and subcrop at a single location. Right Resources cautions that it is not representative of grade or metallurgical variability across the wider prospect.
Nagrom Laboratories tested four feed preparations, comprising material crushed to less than 6.3mm, 3.35mm, and 1mm, plus material ground to 80% passing 0.18mm.
Across the three crushed feeds, the HLS products graded between 66.5% and 66.9% WO₃. Indicative recovery increased from 71.2% at less than 6.3mm to 81.6% at less than 1mm.
The finer ground test returned a lower indicative recovery of 57%, with the HLS product grading 61% WO₃. About 26.3% of the tungsten reported to the fine fraction before separation.
Right Resources says the result suggests fine grinding could reduce recovery through a coarse gravity circuit, although flotation and other methods for recovering fine tungsten remain to be tested.
Managing Director Graham Howard says the results support further assessment of a gravity-first processing route using conventional equipment.
“With flotation, magnetic characterisation, and gravity validation still to come, we expect the current metallurgical program to continue improving our understanding of the project,” Howard says.
The company notes HLS is a laboratory assessment and does not represent recovery achieved using conventional gravity equipment. The resulting products have also not been qualified as saleable concentrates, with further cleanup and marketing assessment required.
Mineralogical analysis identified a sample comprising about 95% quartz, with scheelite accounting for about 1% and identified as the principal tungsten-bearing crystalline phase.
Right Resources says it plans flotation and magnetic characterisation work, followed by larger-scale gravity testing on a more representative sample. A comprehensive metallurgical report is expected in the second half of 2026, while preparations continue for a 3,000m drilling program at Blue in the third and fourth quarters.
Write to France Pinzon at Mining.com.au
Images: Right Resources
