EQ Resources Reports 86% Tungsten Recovery, 16x Grade Upgrade in Waste Stockpiles
EQ Resources reports promising preliminary tungsten recovery results from Wolfram Camp stockpiles, achieving an 86% recovery rate and validating advanced X-ray sorting technology. This breakthrough supports the company’s vision for a low-impact regional tungsten hub in Queensland.
- 86% tungsten recovery from ore stockpiles using X-ray sorting
- 16-fold tungsten grade upgrade in fine fractions of waste stockpiles
- Collaboration with TOMRA and University of Queensland backed by $250,000 Queensland METS grant
- Potential to reprocess historical stockpiles with low environmental impact
- Strategy to establish a regional tungsten hub leveraging existing infrastructure
Preliminary Success at Wolfram Camp
EQ Resources Limited (ASX – EQR) has unveiled encouraging early results from its tungsten recovery trials at the Wolfram Camp Project in Far North Queensland. Using advanced X-ray transmission (XRT) sorting technology, the company achieved an impressive 86% tungsten recovery from ore stockpiles, while also demonstrating significant upgrade potential from historical waste stockpiles. These findings mark a pivotal step in validating the technical and economic viability of reprocessing surface stockpiles, which have historically been considered uneconomic.
Advanced Sorting Technology and Strategic Partnerships
The trials were conducted in collaboration 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 partnership underscores the growing role of sensor-based sorting technologies in transforming mining operations by enabling efficient pre-concentration and reducing downstream processing volumes. EQ Resources has already demonstrated similar success at its Mt Carbine mine and Saloro operations in Spain, where XRT sorting has significantly improved tungsten recoveries and operational efficiencies.
Unlocking Value from Waste Stockpiles
Beyond ore stockpiles, the company’s testing of waste composites revealed a 16-fold upgrade in tungsten grade within fine fractions, with 75% of tungsten contained in these fines. This discovery opens the door to unlocking additional value from historical waste material without the need for extensive crushing or complex processing. While molybdenum recoveries were modest, the focus remains firmly on maximizing tungsten extraction with minimal environmental impact.
Towards a Regional Tungsten Hub
Building on these technical successes, EQ Resources is exploring the establishment of a regional tungsten hub that leverages existing infrastructure and operational synergies. This strategy aims to optimize capital and operational expenditures while providing employment and upskilling opportunities for the local workforce. Executive Chairman Oliver Kleinhempel highlighted the potential for low-impact resource recovery and expressed optimism about refining processing strategies as the project advances.
Next Steps and Market Implications
The company is continuing assay certification and detailed technical reviews to integrate these bulk sample results into production plans. As tungsten remains a critical mineral for emerging technologies and industrial applications, EQ Resources’ advancements could position it as a key supplier in a tightening market. Investors will be watching closely for updates on production ramp-up timelines and the broader impact on tungsten supply chains.
Bottom Line?
EQ Resources’ breakthrough in tungsten recovery from historical stockpiles signals a promising path toward sustainable, low-impact mining and regional industry growth.
Questions in the middle?
- How will final assay results influence the economic feasibility of full-scale stockpile reprocessing?
- What are the projected capital and operational costs for establishing the regional tungsten hub?
- How might competitors respond to EQ Resources’ advancements in sensor-based sorting technology?
