Viking Mines (ASX:VKA) has received assay results from four samples totalling 295kg collected from the Linka Tungsten Project in Nevada, one of six US-based tungsten projects being acquired by Viking, as previously reported.
A total of 58kg of metallurgical sample sourced from the Linka Open Pit returned a result of 1.3% tungsten trioxide and the weighted average grade across all four of the samples is 1.0% tungsten trioxide.
The company notes that these results validate the ‘high-grade’ nature of scheelite mineralisation at the site.
Managing Director Julian Woodcock says that the very high grade nature of the results “confirms the high-grade potential at Linka”.
“To attain a head-grade of 1.3% tungsten trioxide is a significant outcome and provides strong encouragement for the Linka Project. This is especially relevant when mines are operating globally with grades as low as 0.2% tungsten trioxide,” Woodcock says.
“Coupled with the continued record tungsten prices seeing scheelite concentrates (25-30%) receiving US$937 per metric tonne unit and located in the Tier 1 jurisdiction of Nevada, US, the project is well placed and well timed.”
Metallurgical testwork is progressing on the four samples and the company will next develop a metallurgical testwork flowsheet for these. Viking plans the begin sighter metallurgical testwork on sample LKMET0004 as well.
The company is planning for a high resolution aerial survey and is engaging geophysics contractors for a gravity and magnetics survey of the site.
Assays from other due diligence field sampling at Linka Pit, Hillside, and Conquest are to be evaluated as well. Finally, another drill hole is in planning which will support a notice of intent submission to the necessary federal agencies to secure drill permitting.
Viking is also continuing to assess the five other projects being acquired as they focus on developing their projects across the US and Western Australia.
Write to Amy Rotman at Mining.com.au
Images: Viking Mines
