Viking strengthens Linka tungsten continuity case with thick new assays
Viking Mines has confirmed thick tungsten intervals both beneath and above historic workings at its Linka project in Nevada, including 18 metres at 0.42% WO3 and 13 metres at 0.46% WO3. The results strengthen the geological model, but reassays affecting parts of two holes leave an important qualification hanging over the latest batch.
- 18m at 0.42% WO3 below historic workings
- 13m at 0.46% WO3 in a second down-dip hole
- Shallow mineralisation also confirmed above the historic stope
- Seven further holes remain awaiting assays
- Reassays requested after a QAQC standard failure
Thick tungsten zones extend beneath Linka workings
Viking Mines Limited (ASX:VKA) has added laboratory support to its case that tungsten mineralisation continues beyond the historic Linka mine, returning an 18-metre interval at 0.42% WO3 from 62 metres in hole LKRC0005 and 13 metres at 0.46% WO3 from 70 metres in LKRC0006. Estimated true widths are approximately 16 metres and 11 metres respectively, with higher-grade sections of 3 metres at 0.75% WO3 and 4 metres at 0.70% WO3.
The results came from holes drilled down-dip of the historic workings. Two shallower holes testing the crown pillar also intersected tungsten: LKRC0004 returned 6 metres at 0.46% WO3 from 14 metres, while LKRC0003 returned 6 metres at 0.21% WO3 from 16 metres. Taken together with the previously reported 14 metres at 0.56% WO3 in LKRC0002, the assays support Viking's interpretation of a mineralised zone running from near surface to below the old workings.
Assays broadly match historic Linka production
Viking says the new grades are comparable with historic production at Linka, where recorded mill grades were approximately 0.49% WO3. Mineralisation in the four newly reported holes occurs in tactite, or skarn, and correlates closely with scheelite identified under shortwave ultraviolet light during drilling. Individual one-metre samples reached as high as 1.02% WO3.
That correlation gives the company some support for using visual scheelite logging to prioritise samples in the field, although Viking itself cautions that visual estimates are not a substitute for laboratory assays. The distinction matters: the current announcement reports exploration results, not a mineral resource estimate or an economic study.
Seven holes and a QAQC issue remain unresolved
Assays from seven additional Linka Main holes are expected in mid-October. Among them, LKRC0016 recorded 9.9 metres of visible scheelite and LKRC0017 recorded 12.2 metres, making those results a near-term test of whether the apparent continuity extends to the north-east.
The company has also requested reassays covering parts of LKRC0005 and LKRC0006 after one laboratory standard returned more than three standard deviations from its certified value. The reported result was below the certified value, and Viking said the laboratory is investigating a possible incomplete digest. Other quality-control results passed the company's requirements, but no umpire analysis has been conducted to check for laboratory bias. Drilling is scheduled to resume in mid-October after 20 holes were completed across Linka Main, the south-west extension and regional targets.
Bottom Line?
The geological story is becoming clearer, but the next meaningful checkpoint is not another visual interval: it is the mid-October assays and reassay results that test grade continuity and data quality.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the seven pending holes confirm that the mineralised zone remains continuous to the north-east?
- Do the reassay results materially change the grades reported for LKRC0005 and LKRC0006?
- How will the updated geological model translate into future drilling and a potential mineral resource estimate?
