Viking Mines (ASX:VKA) has reported ‘high-grade’ tungsten assays up to 2.7% tungsten trioxide (WO3) at two projects in regional Nevada, US, as the company expands exploration beyond its flagship Linka asset.
Reconnaissance sampling at the Long and Terrell projects has confirmed significant tungsten mineralisation at both historical mine sites.
Continuous channel sampling at Long returned 1.8m @ 1.8% WO3, including 0.45m @ 2.7% WO3, with a second intercept of 1.35m @ 0.6% WO3.
At Terrell, sampling returned a float sample of contact skarn at 2.4% WO3 and granite-hosted veins up to 1.7% WO3. Historical stockpile material graded between 0.4% and 0.5% WO3.
The company has also received approval from the US Bureau of Land Management to collect a bulk sample of up to 907 tonnes of mineralised material from historical surface stockpiles at its flagship Linka Tungsten Project. Sampling earlier this year returned an average grade of 0.4% WO3.
The Linka bulk sample will facilitate processing via toll treatment to produce concentrate samples for offtake assessment with ammonium paratungstate refineries in the US.
The Long Project hosts the historic Long mine, which produced approximately 17,000 tonnes at 0.6% WO3. Reconnaissance grab sampling confirmed mineralisation extends east of the mine along the intrusive contact, returning grades up to 0.3% WO3.
To the south, the Terrell Project encompasses the historic Terrell underground mine with recorded historical production of 2,900 tonnes at 0.6% WO3. Mineralisation occurs as contact skarn with coarse scheelite developed along the granite‑limestone margin.
Both prospects sit within intrusion‑related skarn settings with potential for unmined ‘high‑grade’ skarn bodies beneath existing workings and along buried granite margins.
Managing Director Julian Woodcock says the results speak to the quality of Viking’s Nevada ground portfolio beyond Linka.
“The strength of these early reconnaissance sampling results at both Long and Terrell speaks to the quality of the ground we have secured in Nevada. Both projects have returned high-grade tungsten from historic workings that have seen no modern exploration activity,” Woodcock notes.
“Our primary focus remains on Linka as our most advanced asset. However, the opportunity for additional mineralisation at our other projects is not to be overlooked.”
Viking continues advancing its Nevada tungsten portfolio with detailed mapping and follow-up sampling at Long and Terrell to define the extent of mineralisation and rank targets for future drill testing.
Viking Mines is an Australian explorer advancing a portfolio centered on its flagship Linka Tungsten Project in Nevada, US, alongside the Canegrass Battery Minerals Project in Western Australia.
Write to JC Villarba at Mining.com.au
Images: Viking Mines
