Viking Mines Confirms Low Residual Tungsten in Linka Tailings

Tailings Sampling Validates Historical Processing Efficiency

Viking Mines Limited (ASX:VKA) has delivered encouraging assay results from its extensive tailings sampling program at the Linka Tungsten Project in Nevada. The 52 samples taken from the historical tailings dam returned consistently low residual tungsten grades, with a thickness-weighted average of just 0.03% WO3 and a maximum of 0.15%. This strongly suggests that previous operators extracted the bulk of the tungsten from the ore, leaving behind minimal residual mineralisation.

Managing Director Julian Woodcock highlighted the significance of these findings, stating that the low residual grades "support the view that the historical operation recovered tungsten extremely efficiently from Linka ore." This outcome provides a positive metallurgical read-through for the primary mineralisation and reinforces Viking’s confidence in the project's processing characteristics.

Metallurgical Testwork Supports Processing Optimism

These tailings results complement recent metallurgical testwork by Viking that produced a high-quality concentrate grading 56.9% WO3 at a recovery rate of 76%. The testwork, which involved combined gravity and flotation methods, underscores the potential for strong tungsten recoveries using modern processing techniques. Viking is actively pursuing further optimisation to improve these metrics, building on earlier breakthroughs that have steadily lifted recovery rates.

While the tailings sampling confirms efficient historical recovery, Viking’s confidence primarily rests on its own metallurgical testwork rather than tailings data alone. This distinction is important given that precise historical recovery figures remain elusive due to incomplete records of mill feed grades and concentrate tonnages.

Stockpile Evaluation and Drilling Preparations Advance

Separately, Viking continues to evaluate the Linka Main stockpile, which has returned significantly higher tungsten grades averaging 0.4% WO3 across 41 samples, with peaks up to 1.1%. This stockpile could represent a valuable near-term feed source for processing and offtake discussions.

The company is also on track to commence its maiden reverse circulation drilling campaign in July 2026, marking the first drill testing of the Linka primary tungsten system in over 40 years. Mobilisation of the drill rig is expected to begin in early July, with site earthworks scheduled shortly thereafter. This drilling program is a critical step toward defining the resource and advancing the project’s development.

Tenure and Historical Context of Linka Project

Located in Nevada, the Linka Project sits on unpatented mineral claims held by BLK Group LLC and Viking Tungsten LLC, with Viking Mines having signed a binding term sheet to acquire 100% interest over seven years. The project area has a rich tungsten mining history dating back to the 1940s and 1950s, with documented production and extensive underground workings. The geology features scheelite-bearing skarn deposits at the contact between Ordovician limestone and Jurassic granitic intrusions.

Viking’s exploration program is supported by a robust understanding of the deposit’s geological setting and historical mining data, although some gaps remain in the historical records, particularly regarding mill feed and recovery statistics.