Viking Mines (ASX:VKA) secures final approval for maiden Linka tungsten drilling campaign

Viking Mines has received approval from the US Bureau of Land Management for its recently lodged Notice of Intent at the Linka Tungsten Project in Nevada, clearing the final federal regulatory hurdle ahead of planned June quarter mobilisation.

The approval was received ahead of the company’s internal timeline and means Linka is now fully permitted for drilling, subject to payment of the required bonds.

The approval also provides certainty to lock in the drilling schedule ahead of the company’s planned maiden drilling campaign.

Highlights

• US Bureau of Land Management approval received for Viking’s maiden 63-hole drilling programme at Linka, Nevada
• Approval received ahead of the company’s internal timeline
• Linka now fully permitted for drilling, subject to payment of required bonds
• Contractor selection is the next scheduling milestone ahead of planned June quarter mobilisation
• Maiden drilling will test an ~800m southwest extension where surface samples returned up to 0.6% WO₃
• Historic intercepts including 8.5m @ 1.0% WO₃ are set to be verified
• Linka historically produced ~65,000 tonnes @ 0.5% WO₃ before ceasing production in 1956

The approved programme comprises 63 holes from 48 drill pads across three distinct objectives, including 36 holes at Linka Main designed to verify historical high-grade intercepts such as drillhole DH-04 returning 9.8m @ 0.5% WO₃, drillhole LR-11 returning 7.9m @ 0.9% WO₃ and channel sample 8.5m @ 1.0% WO₃, while additional holes are also planned to target down-dip continuity beneath historical workings.

At the Linka Southwest Extension, Viking plans 16 holes across four sections spaced 125m to 150m apart, where the company stated surface sampling has returned grades of up to 0.6% WO₃.

A further 11 regional reconnaissance holes are planned to validate magnetic and gravity geophysical interpretations and define contact positions prospective for new mineralised zones across the broader Linka intrusive complex.

Viking stated Linka represents its entry point into the US tungsten sector, which it described as a market structurally short of domestic supply.

The company also noted the December 2026 REEShore Act mandate prohibits Chinese-origin tungsten in US Department of Defense supply chains.

Viking Managing Director and CEO Julian Woodcock said:

“Receiving the BLM approval is yet another hurdle accomplished at Linka as we move towards the first known drilling at the Project for over 40 years. With our maiden campaign now fully permitted for drilling, the regulatory pathway is behind us, and the focus shifts entirely to finalising our drilling contractor and getting drilling underway.”

Viking said drilling contractor evaluations are in their final stages, with contract award expected shortly, while drill site access and pad preparation works are scheduled to be undertaken in parallel with contractor mobilisation logistics and are scheduled for commencement in June.

Drill rig mobilisation will commence on contract award, with anticipated arrival late in the June quarter, consistent with previously disclosed timing.

The company said it will update the market on contractor award and mobilisation logistics as those milestones are reached.

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