Viking Mines Finalises Modular Processing Design for Linka Tungsten Project

Modular Processing Flowsheet Marks Key Project Milestone

Viking Mines (ASX:VKA) has taken a significant stride in advancing its Linka Tungsten Project by finalising a conceptual process flow diagram with Mineral Technologies. This flowsheet builds directly on the company’s earlier breakthrough in producing a gravity concentrate with 63.6% WO3, confirming a robust foundation for further development. The design’s modularity is a standout feature, allowing Viking to potentially integrate advanced recovery technologies such as Wet High-Intensity Magnetic Separation (WHIMS) or Falcon Concentrators without overhauling the primary circuit. This flexibility aligns with Viking’s “RapidStart” strategy, balancing capital efficiency with adaptability to future metallurgical insights.

Managing Director Julian Woodcock emphasised that the flowsheet’s adaptability provides a “capital-efficient pathway” that can evolve with ongoing testwork, underscoring a pragmatic approach to scaling the project. The move from laboratory validation to mechanical engineering and financial modelling marks a pivotal transition in the project lifecycle.

Preliminary Engineering and Cost Assessment Underway

Mineral Technologies has commenced preliminary equipment sizing to underpin order-of-magnitude capital expenditure estimates. This includes assessing power and water requirements informed by upcoming comminution testwork, which will also refine reagent and consumable consumption rates. Viking is exploring a “Purchase vs Hire” strategy for key modules like the crushing circuit to optimise upfront capital outlay and potentially shorten development timelines.

It is worth noting that the study uses a conceptual processing rate of 43 tonnes per hour strictly for technical evaluation and equipment configuration purposes. This figure does not represent a production target or forecast and remains subject to further technical and economic scrutiny.

Advancing Exploration and Metallurgical Programs

Alongside processing design progress, Viking is preparing for a drilling campaign targeted for the June quarter. Preparatory work includes evaluating historical tailings and stockpiles as supplemental feedstocks, performing surface geological mapping, and completing a 3D geological model to support drilling plans and potential JORC exploration target definition. These efforts build on recent fieldwork and geophysical surveys that have identified multiple drill targets, as detailed in the company’s recent gravity survey results announcement. Metallurgical testwork continues with cleaner flotation results expected imminently, feeding back into the process optimisation loop.

Viking’s integrated approach, linking metallurgical advances, modular process design, and exploration activities, reflects a concerted effort to de-risk and fast-track project development amid a favourable tungsten price environment.