Rumble Resources has completed a major diamond drilling campaign at Western Queen, delivering multiple high-grade gold and tungsten intersections that underpin an advancing feasibility study and mine development plans.
- High-grade gold intercepts up to 30.72 g/t over 5.8m at Western Queen Central
- Tungsten metallurgy confirms 48% WO3 concentrate at 45% recovery with simple processing
- Feasibility study underway targeting underground mining and resource upgrade
- Negotiations progressing on ore toll treatment and gold royalty agreements
- Full ownership acquired of Thunderstorm Gold Project from IGO Limited
Diamond Drilling Campaign Delivers Exceptional Gold Grades
Rumble Resources (ASX:RTR) has wrapped up a substantial diamond drilling program at its Western Queen Gold-Tungsten Project, returning multiple high-grade gold intercepts that reinforce the project's potential for near-term production. Highlights include standout results beneath historical stopes at Western Queen Central, such as 5.8 metres at 30.72 g/t gold from 314.6 metres and 6.3 metres at 24.88 g/t gold from 305 metres. Western Queen South also delivered broad, high-grade intervals including 22.7 metres at 2.84 g/t gold and 12.2 metres at 5.13 g/t gold, with several intercepts featuring higher-grade cores exceeding 6 g/t gold.
The drilling was designed to expand the existing 370,000-ounce gold resource and upgrade a significant portion of the inferred resource to indicated status, aiming to underpin an updated Mineral Resource Estimate due in the June quarter. The program also targeted tungsten lodes spatially associated with the gold mineralisation, further growing the maiden tungsten resource of 13,200 tonnes of WO3 announced last year. These results build on earlier successes, including a recent 9.45-metre intercept grading 11.16 g/t gold that extended the high-grade shoot at Western Queen Central 9.45m intercept extension.
Tungsten Metallurgy Supports Simple, Integrated Processing
Metallurgical testwork on tungsten (scheelite) from Western Queen has confirmed the potential to produce a marketable concentrate grading 48% WO3 at a 45% recovery rate using a straightforward flotation and gravity circuit. Importantly, the flowsheet achieves this with minimal gold loss (<1%), allowing for a bolt-on processing facility that could integrate seamlessly with existing gold plants. This aligns with Rumble's strategy to fast-track tungsten production alongside gold, supported by ongoing engineering studies exploring accelerated coarse-liberation processing concepts to reduce capital expenditure and speed implementation Tungsten metallurgical testwork(1da5046a-962a-44ec-a590-027c24be3cb0).
Feasibility Study and Mine Development Progress
The company is advancing a feasibility study focused on underground mining at Western Queen South, aiming to firm up production rates and costs following a positive scoping study released in November 2025. That study outlined a 617,000-tonne production target at 2.95 g/t gold for 58,500 ounces, with robust economic metrics including a net present value of A$112 million and an internal rate of return of 370% at an assumed gold price of A$5,540 per ounce. Rumble has received expressions of interest from multiple underground mining contractors and has engaged Australian Mining Consultants to evaluate mining methods and potential gold and tungsten inventories.
Permitting is advancing with all necessary documentation submitted for underground operations, and key approvals expected in the June quarter. The company is also negotiating a toll treatment agreement with Gylden Resources to process ore at their Kirkalocka plant, located approximately 180 kilometres from Western Queen, building on a non-binding MoU signed in October 2025 Ore processing agreement.
Earaheedy Zinc-Lead-Silver Project Nears Metallurgical Completion
At the Earaheedy Zn-Pb-Ag Project, metallurgical testwork to optimise concentrate products is nearing completion, with the goal of producing separate high-grade zinc and combined zinc-lead-silver concentrates. The project benefits from a recent surge in silver prices, which could enhance its economic appeal. Results from this testwork are expected in the June quarter, potentially adding a significant base metals asset to Rumble's portfolio.
Portfolio Expansion and Corporate Moves
Rumble has consolidated its position in the Fraser Range by acquiring the remaining 70% interest in the Thunderstorm Gold Project from IGO Limited, issuing approximately 8.8 million shares valued at A$300,000. The Thunderstorm project hosts promising high-grade gold prospects, with previous intercepts including 16 metres at 6.69 g/t gold and 6 metres at 9.15 g/t gold. An aircore and slimline RC drilling program has commenced to explore large gaps in the Amaryllis trend and test interpreted shear zones, aiming to build on these encouraging results Thunderstorm acquisition and drilling.
Other exploration activities continue across Rumble's Western Australian portfolio, including rock chip sampling at the Warda Warra lithium project and preparations for drilling at Munarra Gully targeting gold-copper-silver mineralisation. Cash at quarter-end stood at approximately A$2.9 million, with exploration expenditure dominating outflows. The company is also negotiating an additional gold royalty for Western Queen production in exchange for upfront cash, a move that could provide working capital with limited impact on future cash flow.
Bottom Line?
Rumble’s Western Queen project is shaping up as a dual gold-tungsten underground operation with strong drilling and metallurgical results, but the path to production hinges on upcoming resource updates, feasibility outcomes, and finalising processing and royalty agreements.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the updated Mineral Resource Estimate confirm sufficient Indicated ounces to support a robust mining inventory?
- How will the final terms of the toll treatment agreement with Gylden impact project economics and timing?
- Can the tungsten scoping study deliver a cost-effective processing solution that leverages existing infrastructure?