How Rumble Resources Is Unlocking Western Queen’s Underground Potential

Exploration Progress at Western Queen

Rumble Resources Limited (ASX, RTR) has kicked off a significant diamond drilling campaign at its Western Queen Gold Project in Western Australia. As of late October 2025, the first of two rigs has completed 929 metres of drilling, with the second rig expected to arrive shortly. This program, scheduled to run through February 2026, targets high-grade extensions of gold mineralisation and aims to expand both gold and tungsten resources.

The drilling is designed not only to discover additional ounces but also to upgrade the classification of existing resources from inferred to indicated, a critical step towards making a financial investment decision. Moreover, selected drill samples will support metallurgical testwork to confirm gold recovery rates exceeding 93%, reinforcing the project's economic potential.

Underground Mining Takes Centre Stage

In a strategic pivot, Rumble Resources has identified underground mining as the preferred development pathway over the previously considered open pit option. Internal assessments reveal that underground mining offers superior economic outcomes, prompting the company to advance a scoping study focused on mining both the Western Queen South and Central deposits from underground. This study is progressing well and is expected to be completed by the December 2025 quarter.

This shift reflects a broader trend in mining where underground operations can unlock higher-grade zones and reduce surface disturbance, potentially improving project viability and community acceptance. The company is also conducting geotechnical drilling to better understand conditions for underground infrastructure, such as portals and declines.

Strategic Processing Partnership

Complementing its development plans, Rumble Resources has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding with Gylden Resources Pty Ltd to explore processing Western Queen ore at Gylden’s Kirkalocka plant. A draft toll treating agreement has been received, signaling progress toward securing third-party processing capacity. This arrangement could accelerate project timelines by leveraging existing infrastructure and reducing upfront capital expenditure.

Such partnerships are increasingly common in the mining sector, allowing junior explorers to focus on resource development while utilising established processing facilities. However, as the agreement remains non-binding, final terms and operational details are yet to be confirmed.

Looking Ahead

Rumble Resources is positioning Western Queen for near-term development, supported by a growing resource base and a clear preference for underground mining. The ongoing drilling campaign and upcoming scoping study results will be pivotal in shaping the project's future. Meanwhile, the potential processing partnership with Gylden adds a layer of operational flexibility that could enhance project economics.

Investors and industry watchers will be keen to see how these developments unfold, particularly the impact of drilling results on resource estimates and the finalisation of processing arrangements.