Viking Mines (ASX:VKA) identifies new tungsten targets at Nevada’s Linka Project
March 9, 2026Viking Mines has reported encouraging early results from high resolution ground gravity and magnetic surveys completed at its Linka Tungsten Project in Nevada, with the geophysical work identifying several new priority targets and confirming anomalies directly associated with known mineralisation.
The programme was designed to refine the geological model across the project area and improve targeting along and beyond the known mineralised corridor.
Highlights
- High resolution gravity survey confirms anomalies directly over known surface mineralisation at the Linka and Conquest prospects.
- Density contrast between scheelite bearing garnetite greater than 3.5 SG and host rocks of 2.5 to 3.0 SG enabled gravity highs to be detected.
- Multiple additional gravity anomalies have been identified across the broader survey area as new priority targets.
- Magnetic survey mapped a large magnetic high interpreted as the regional intrusive body linked to tungsten mineralisation.
- Structural features trending north east cut through the intrusive system and indicate the survey can detect geology beneath volcanic cover.
- Combined surveys traced an approximately 820 m sub cropping mineralised corridor and an interpreted extension of about 800 m beneath volcanic cover.
- Tungsten prices have strengthened, recently reaching about US$1,800 per mtu of ammonium paratungstate CIF Rotterdam.
The surveys were designed to improve Viking’s understanding of the geological architecture at Linka and help prioritise drilling targets.
The gravity component focused on the approximately 820 m mineralised trend extending from the Linka Main prospect to Conquest.
This work aimed to identify the contact between intrusive quartz monzonite and sedimentary limestone units where mineralisation is known to form, and to detect gravity anomalies associated with denser mineralised bodies.
Early observations appear encouraging, with coincident gravity highs recorded over areas of known mineralisation at Linka and Conquest, suggesting the technique can reliably identify zones of increased density associated with scheelite bearing skarn.
The survey also highlighted several additional gravity highs across the broader area, which the company considers potential exploration targets requiring follow up field assessment and ranking.
The magnetic survey served a complementary purpose, mapping the bedrock geology and tracing the contacts between intrusive and sedimentary units.
The data identified a prominent magnetic high interpreted as the regional intrusive body that is thought to be associated with tungsten mineralisation.
Importantly, the magnetic response also appears to resolve geological features beneath the younger Bates Mountain Tuff cover, potentially extending the known mineralised corridor further to the south west.
Structural interpretation provides additional geological context, with large north east trending structures dissecting the interpreted intrusion and supporting the view that the geophysical methods can detect geological features beneath the younger volcanic cover.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Julian Woodcock said the results strengthened confidence in the exploration approach.
“The preliminary data has indicated that we can see both the geological contacts where mineralisation occurs, and potential direct priority targets where we see gravity high anomalies.”
Encouraged by the initial results, Viking has already expanded the programme into a second phase.
Magnetic coverage will be extended by approximately 2.8 km² west of the current survey area, while the gravity survey will expand by 0.35 km² to the south west across volcanic cover, with field mapping and rock chip sampling planned following completion of the expanded geophysical surveys.
Further technical work is underway, including additional data processing and interpretation, density and magnetic susceptibility measurements, and a trial Gradient Array Induced Polarisation survey over the Conquest mineralised zone.
Ultimately, the integration of new and historical datasets is expected to contribute to a 3D geological model that will guide future drilling programmes and permitting steps.
With tungsten prices strengthening and the company advancing exploration at Linka, the next phase of work will focus on converting geophysical anomalies into drill targets and testing whether mineralisation extends beyond historically mined areas.
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