Viking Mines (ASX:VKA) has mobilised field teams to its Linka Tungsten Project in Nevada to evaluate historical tailings and ore stockpiles.
The company will collect around 52 systematic samples across the historic tailings dam to determine grade and volume for potential reprocessing as supplemental plant feedstock.
Teams are also sampling historical ore stockpiles to validate high-grade potential, building on a previous 97.4kg composite sample that returned 0.80% tungsten trioxide.
Managing Director Julian Woodcock says Viking has begun a period of high activity, transitioning from analysis into active project development.
“Our workstreams target a rapid, low-CAPEX pathway to production,” Woodcock says.
“With tungsten at 90-year highs, the strategic value of our Nevada assets is clear, and we look forward to providing updates as milestones are achieved.”
The tailings dam evaluation incorporates grid sampling to calculate volume and grade, enabling the company to determine inherent value and commence metallurgical testwork to evaluate economic viability of tailings reprocessing.
The company says if recoverability is confirmed, this material could serve as a low-cost supplemental feed for future modular plants.
A volumetric estimate will determine stockpile tonnage to assess viability for early processing via toll treatment or pilot plant to produce concentrate samples for potential offtake partners.
The company is collecting additional metallurgical samples for comminution testwork to support the ongoing processing concept study being conducted by Mineral Technologies.
Phase two activity scheduled for late April will include detailed mapping and trench sampling to finalise layouts for the maiden June quarter drilling campaign.
The company continues advanced metallurgical testing following recent success achieving a 53-fold upgrade to produce a premium 63.60% tungsten trioxide concentrate from primary mineralisation.
Viking Mines is a diversified exploration and development company, focused on tungsten, gold, and vanadium projects.
Write to Maddison Elliott at Mining.com.au
Images: Viking Mines
