What's Happening?
Viking Mines, an exploration and development company, has reported significant findings from its phase one field sampling at the historical Linka Project stockpile in Nevada, USA. The company collected 41 samples, revealing grades of up to 1.1% tungsten
trioxide, with an average grade of 0.4%. This average increases to 0.5% when considering samples above a 0.1% tungsten trioxide cut-off. These results are consistent with the historically reported average mined grade of 0.5% tungsten trioxide. Viking Mines has also initiated ore sorting test work at the TOMRA facility in Germany, testing samples from both the stockpile and the Conquest open pit. CEO Julian Woodcock highlighted the potential to process this mineralization to generate a bulk concentrate sample for future offtake assessment.
Why It's Important?
The findings at the Linka Project are significant for Viking Mines as they confirm the presence of mineralization at grades comparable to historical averages, offering a promising opportunity for future processing and commercialization. This development is crucial for the U.S. as it seeks to bolster its domestic supply of critical minerals like tungsten, which are essential for various industrial applications. The successful extraction and processing of tungsten could reduce reliance on foreign imports, enhance national security, and support the growth of domestic industries. Additionally, the project could create economic opportunities in Nevada, contributing to local employment and economic development.
What's Next?
Viking Mines plans to continue its exploration and development activities at the Linka Project. The company is awaiting results from a larger rock stockpile at Conquest and trench resampling, which could further validate the project's potential. The ongoing ore sorting test work at TOMRA will provide insights into the feasibility of upgrading feed in a processing circuit, potentially leading to more efficient extraction methods. These steps are critical as Viking Mines aims to establish a sustainable and economically viable operation, which could attract investment and partnerships in the mining sector.
