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Wolfram Camp Stockpile Tests Deliver 86% Tungsten Recovery and 16x Grade Upgrade

Mining By Maxwell Dee 3 min read

EQ Resources reports promising preliminary results from tungsten stockpile testing at Wolfram Camp, achieving an 86% recovery rate using advanced X-ray sorting technology. The company is advancing plans for a regional tungsten hub to enhance operational efficiency and sustainability.

  • 86% tungsten recovery from Wolfram Camp ore stockpile using X-ray sorting
  • Strong upgrade potential demonstrated with 16-fold tungsten grade increase in fine fractions
  • Waste stockpiles show valuable tungsten content, unlocking additional resource potential
  • Testing supported by $250,000 Queensland METS grant and collaboration with TOMRA and University of Queensland
  • Plans underway to establish a regional tungsten hub leveraging existing infrastructure and workforce
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Advanced Sorting Technology Drives Recovery Breakthrough

EQ Resources Limited (ASX – EQR) has revealed encouraging preliminary results from its tungsten ore and waste stockpile testing at the Wolfram Camp Project in Far North Queensland. Utilizing advanced X-ray transmission (XRT) sorting technology, the company achieved an impressive 86% tungsten recovery from the ore stockpile, concentrating tungsten into just 5-10% of the original feed mass. This outcome not only highlights the efficiency of sensor-based sorting but also signals a significant reduction in downstream processing volumes.

Unlocking Value from Historical Waste

Beyond the ore stockpile, EQ Resources tested a composite sample from historical waste stockpiles, revealing a head grade of 0.10% tungsten trioxide (WO₃) with 75% of tungsten contained in fine fractions. Although recoveries from waste were lower than the ore stockpile, the presence of tungsten in fines suggests meaningful value can be extracted using gravity separation methods without extensive additional processing. This finding opens a pathway to reprocess previously uneconomic materials, aligning with sustainable mining practices.

Collaborative Effort and Government Support

The testing program was conducted in partnership with TOMRA Sorting Solutions and the University of Queensland’s Sustainable Minerals Institute, supported by a $250,000 grant from the Queensland METS Collaborative Projects Fund. This collaboration underscores the growing role of innovative technology and academic expertise in advancing resource recovery and environmental stewardship within the mining sector.

Building a Regional Tungsten Hub

Leveraging its prior success with sensor-based sorting at the Mt Carbine mine in Queensland and Saloro operations in Spain, EQ Resources is evaluating the establishment of a regional tungsten hub. This strategy aims to maximize operational synergies, reduce capital intensity, and provide employment and training opportunities for the local workforce. The company’s Executive Chairman, Oliver Kleinhempel, emphasized the potential to unlock additional value from historical stockpiles through low-impact processing techniques, signaling a forward-looking approach to resource development.

Next Steps and Market Implications

While the preliminary results are promising, EQ Resources is continuing assay certification and technical reviews to validate the findings fully. The integration of bulk sample results into production planning will be critical to determining the economic viability of large-scale stockpile reprocessing. Investors and industry watchers will be keen to see how these developments translate into operational efficiencies and cost savings in the coming months.

Bottom Line?

EQ Resources’ tungsten recovery breakthrough at Wolfram Camp sets the stage for a transformative regional hub, but full-scale viability remains to be proven.

Questions in the middle?

  • How will the economic feasibility of large-scale stockpile reprocessing be assessed?
  • What are the expected capital and operational cost savings from the regional tungsten hub strategy?
  • How might tungsten market dynamics influence the timing and scale of production ramp-up?