Viking Mines (ASX:VKA) has received approval for its Notice of Intent (NOI) from the US Federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM), for the company’s 63-hole maiden drill program at the Linka Tungsten Project in Nevada, US.
The BLM approval is the last regulatory hurdle and means that the project is fully permitted for the drill program.
Managing Director Julian Woodcock says that now that the regulatory approvals are in place, the company can begin what will be the “first known drilling at the project for over 40 years”.
“With our maiden campaign now fully permitted for drilling, the regulatory pathway is behind us, and the focus shifts entirely to finalising our drilling contractor and getting drilling underway,” Woodcock says.
“We remain on track for our planned June quarter mobilisation to commence site preparations, and the team is moving at pace as we enter this exciting phase of activity.
“This is one of our key pillars in our fast-to-market strategy, which will support the project’s development as we continue to advance in parallel the metallurgical test work and processing concept study.”
Viking sees the Linka Project as a key step into the US tungsten industry, which is experiencing a structural supply deficit following the REEShore Act mandate prohibiting tungsten from China from entering US supply chains, especially for the defence industry.
With the BLM approval in place, Viking is mobilising for drilling, with a current focus on drilling contractor selection, drill site access, and pad preparation works. Drill rig mobilisation is anticipated late in the June quarter.
The drill program will comprise 63 holes from 48 drill pads, as previously reported. At Linka Main, 36 holes will focus on verification of historical ‘high-grade’ intercepts, with additional focus on the down-dip continuity below the historical workings.
At the Linka SW Extension, 16 holes will be tested across four sections using 125–150m spacing in an area that has returned grades of up to 0.6% tungsten trioxide.
Finally, 11 additional holes will be used for regional reconnaissance, with shallow vertical holes validating the magnetic and gravity geophysical interpretations, as well as defining potential new mineralised zones across the broader site.
Viking Mines is advancing a portfolio of tungsten projects in Nevada, with a focus on the Linka Project potentially being a source of supply for the US market.
Viking Mines will be attending the RIU Gold Coast Investment Showcase, held between 11-12 June, at the JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa.
Mining.com.au is an official media partner of this year’s conference.
Write to Amy Rotman at Mining.com.au
Images: Viking Mines
