Linka Project Shows 12m at 1.3% WO3; Viking Targets Early 2026 Drilling

Historical Data Unlocks New Potential

Viking Mines Ltd (ASX: VKA) has taken a significant step forward in advancing its Linka tungsten project in Nevada by completing the digitisation of a comprehensive historical drilling dataset. Covering 70 drill holes and nearly 2,900 metres of drilling, this effort has unveiled thick, high-grade tungsten mineralisation at the Conquest area, validating the project's substantial regional potential.

The standout intercepts include a 12.2-metre section grading 1.3% tungsten trioxide (WO3), with a high-grade core of 1.5 metres at 4.8% WO3, all from shallow depths averaging just 30 metres. These results highlight the presence of accessible, high-quality tungsten mineralisation that could underpin early mining operations.

Strategic Timing Amid US Supply Security Concerns

With the US Department of Defense tightening tungsten procurement regulations; phasing out reliance on tungsten sourced from China and other restricted countries by 2027; Viking Mines is positioning Linka as a critical domestic supply source. The company’s Managing Director, Julian Woodcock, emphasised the urgency, noting the 2026 deadline for securing non-Chinese tungsten supplies.

Coupled with a robust tungsten price environment, currently around US$1,800 per metric tonne unit of ammonium paratungstate (APT), the timing is opportune for Viking to accelerate development. The company is designing its maiden drilling program to target high-grade, shallow mineralised blocks that could support rapid extraction and early production.

Exploration and Development Plans

Viking is integrating the digitised data into a 3D geological model to better understand the scale and geometry of the skarn mineralisation systems at Linka and Conquest. Complementary geophysical surveys, including gravity and magnetic studies, are being finalised to map the mineralised corridor spanning 1.6 kilometres.

The upcoming drill program, planned for the June quarter of 2026, will focus on rapid-development targets, including untested zones beneath historical pits and under volcanic cover. The company is also preparing federal permitting applications to ensure timely commencement of drilling activities.

Historical Context and Regional Potential

The Linka project area has a rich tungsten mining history dating back to the 1940s, with multiple mines such as Linka, Conquest, Alpine, and Victory having produced tungsten concentrates. The recent digitisation and reinterpretation of historical data have revealed new exploration targets, including deeper contacts with more favourable limestone host rocks and extensions along strike and downdip.

While the historical drilling was relatively shallow and predominantly vertical; potentially missing some mineralisation; the new data provides a solid foundation for targeted follow-up drilling to confirm resource potential and support early-stage mining scenarios.