Rumble Resources Advances Western Queen with 17% Gold Resource Boost and Toll Milling Deal
Rumble Resources has upgraded its Western Queen gold resource by 17% to 433,600 ounces, secured a near five-year toll milling agreement, and progressed feasibility and permitting work, setting the stage for production in 2027.
- Western Queen gold resource increased 17% to 433,600oz
- New high-grade zone at 11.3g/t Au adds 52,500oz
- Toll milling agreement secured for up to five years
- A$10 million royalty sale funds pre-development
- High-grade gold and copper drilling success at Munarra Gully
Western Queen Resource Upgrade and New High-Grade Zone
Rumble Resources (ASX:RTR) has delivered a significant boost to its flagship Western Queen Gold-Tungsten Project, increasing its gold Mineral Resource Estimate by 17% to 5.13 million tonnes at 2.6 grams per tonne for 433,600 ounces. Notably, the Indicated Resources category expanded by 54% to 2.46 million tonnes at 2.9 g/t Au, now representing 227,700 ounces. This upgrade incorporates results from a 17,255-metre diamond drilling program completed in April 2026, which also uncovered a new high-grade zone at Western Queen Central. This zone alone accounts for 145,000 tonnes at 11.3 g/t Au, adding 52,500 ounces beneath historical underground workings and adjacent to the existing open pit.
The enhanced resource base is being integrated into an updated mining schedule and will underpin a revised Scoping Study and forthcoming Feasibility Study, with production targeted for 2027. These developments mark a clear step forward in advancing the project from exploration to development.
Toll Milling Agreement Secures Processing Pathway
To fast-track production and reduce capital expenditure, Rumble executed a Toll Milling and Blending Agreement with Gylden Resources and Kirkalocka Gold. This deal grants access to Kirkalocka Gold’s 2.1 million tonnes per annum processing plant for up to five years, covering 100% of Western Queen’s forecast gold ore. The agreement allows processing in either blended parcels of 75,000 tonnes or dedicated 150,000-tonne campaigns, with fixed milling fees for 2027 and annual negotiations thereafter. Importantly, Rumble retains 100% of recovered gold, with no profit sharing.
The toll milling arrangement provides a critical near-term cash flow mechanism and operational flexibility. The parties have also agreed to negotiate potential processing facilities for tungsten-bearing ore, which remains under evaluation as part of the broader project development.
Progress on Feasibility, Permitting, and Operations Team
Rumble continued advancing the Western Queen underground mining Feasibility Study, focusing on mine design, scheduling, geotechnical assessments, cost modelling, and capital planning. Permitting progress includes securing Works Approval and Native Vegetation Clearance, with the company awaiting the Groundwater Licence and Mine Development and Closure Proposal needed for pre-development activities such as open pit dewatering and underground portal construction.
To lead the transition from development to production, Rumble appointed Jake Campbell as General Manager Operations, bringing experienced mine management to the project. These steps collectively position Western Queen for a Final Investment Decision in the near term.
Tungsten Opportunity and Integration Potential
Alongside gold, Rumble is advancing its tungsten scoping study at Western Queen. The maiden tungsten Mineral Resource Estimate, reported in August 2025, totals 4.31 million tonnes at 0.31% WO3 for 13,200 tonnes of tungsten trioxide, including a higher-grade portion at 0.51% WO3. Metallurgical testwork confirms the potential to produce a marketable tungsten concentrate grading 48% WO3 at 45% recovery via a conventional gravity circuit.
The company is exploring integration of tungsten recovery into the gold processing pathway, assessing mining, processing, offtake, and logistics. An innovative "coarse-liberation" flowsheet concept aims to reduce capital costs and accelerate implementation without compromising gold recovery. Negotiations are underway with Gylden Resources regarding a potential tungsten processing facility at Kirkalocka.
Exploration Success at Munarra Gully and Other Projects
Rumble’s exploration portfolio also delivered encouraging results during the quarter. At Munarra Gully, a 3,648-metre air core and RC drilling program intercepted high-grade gold and copper mineralisation, highlighted by 13 metres at 21.64 g/t gold including a blistering 1 metre at 221 g/t, along with copper grades up to 0.62%. Follow-up drilling is planned for the second half of 2026 to further delineate these zones.
Other projects such as Earaheedy Zinc-Lead-Silver continue to progress metallurgical testing aimed at producing separate high-grade zinc and silver-rich lead concentrates. Meanwhile, heritage surveys were completed at the Thunderstorm Gold Project ahead of a planned 5,000-metre drill program later this year.
Strong Financial Position Backed by Royalty Funding
Financially, Rumble bolstered its balance sheet by selling a 2.5% net smelter return royalty on Western Queen gold production to Elemental Royalty Corporation for A$10 million. This non-dilutive capital injection supports ongoing pre-development activities including dewatering, feasibility, permitting, and mine planning. At quarter-end, the company held approximately A$11.1 million in cash, with quarterly exploration and evaluation expenditure of A$1.16 million.
Bottom Line?
With resource upgrades, a secured processing route, and strong funding, Rumble is shaping Western Queen into a near-term gold producer, though tungsten integration and permitting remain key watchpoints.
Questions in the middle?
- How will tungsten processing economics influence Western Queen’s development plan?
- What timeline can be expected for outstanding groundwater and mine closure permits?
- Will follow-up drilling at Munarra Gully convert high-grade intercepts into a maiden resource?
