Viking Mines (ASX:VKA) advances Linka Tungsten Metallurgy

Viking Mines has reported a material step forward in metallurgical testwork at its Linka Tungsten Project in Nevada, USA.

Follow-up testing on a larger 10 kg sample focused on refinement of the gravity stage and the first-pass rougher/cleaner flotation stage produced a combined concentrate grading 62.5% WO₃ at 59.8% recovery, representing a notable improvement from the previously reported 56.4% WO₃ at 46.0% recovery.

The results support the low-CAPEX, gravity-led flowsheet strategy and provide confidence ahead of the company’s maiden drilling programme, scheduled for the June 2026 quarter.

Highlights:

• Combined gravity-plus-flotation concentrate of 62.5% WO₃ at 59.8% recovery from a 1.2% feed grade.
• Standalone gravity concentrate improved to 66.6% WO₃ at 42.7% recovery.
• Flotation stages delivered 54.3% WO₃ at 17.1% recovery, with further optimisation underway.
• Metallurgical programme validates a simplified, low-CAPEX processing pathway.
• Maiden drilling programme on track for June 2026 quarter, with conceptual processing study underway.

The results reflect progress in both scale and process refinement, with the gravity-only concentrate delivering a 66.6% WO₃ grade at 42.7% recovery, improved from prior testwork and reproducible at the 10 kg scale.

Rougher and cleaner flotation stages achieved a 54.3% WO₃ concentrate grade at 17.1% recovery, forming the basis for the combined circuit.

The addition of the flotation stage raised total recovery to 59.8% while maintaining a premium concentrate grade above 60% WO₃, comfortably exceeding the >50% WO₃ saleable threshold for scheelite concentrate, with optimisation of the flotation reagent regime ongoing.

Viking Mines Managing Director & CEO Julian Woodcock said:

“These results are yet another significant step forward for the Linka Project. The combined gravity and cleaner flotation circuit is now delivering a world-class 62.5% WO₃ concentrate at 59.8% recovery – a meaningful uplift in recovery from the 46.0% reported in March, while maintaining a premium concentrate grade. Just as importantly, continued refinement of the gravity stage has pushed our standalone gravity concentrate to 66.6% WO₃. With the result attained from a larger 10 kg sample, this repeatability at scale gives us confidence in the flowsheet we are developing.”

Strategically, the Linka Project benefits from high global tungsten prices, with CIF Rotterdam 88.5% Ammonium Paratungstate at US$3,050/mtu, and aligns with US supply chain priorities for domestic scheelite production.

The flowsheet remains deliberately simple, prioritising physical separation over complex chemical processing, and is being incorporated into the conceptual processing study with Mineral Technologies, which is informing CAPEX estimates and plant design ahead of the maiden drilling programme.

Next steps include optimisation and variability testing across four bulk samples, comminution testing to define crushing and grinding energy requirements, ongoing gravity separation enhancement, ore sorting trials, completion of a modular blueprint, and finalisation of a 3D geological model, with drill permitting approved and the maiden drilling programme remaining on track for the June 2026 quarter.

Viking’s results provide a validated, low-complexity pathway for producing premium tungsten concentrate from the Linka Project, positioning it as a strategic US-based supply source within the current global market context.

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