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Highlights
- Viking Mines achieved a 16-fold increase in tungsten grade in initial gravity separation tests at the Linka Tungsten Project.
- Gravity separation metallurgical testwork at Linka delivered a 22.9% WO₃ rougher concentrate from a 1.4% WO₃ feed.
- Initial gravity processing at coarse grind size delivered 63.7% tungsten recovery, with additional recovery expected through flotation and optimisation.
- Modular, low-cost gravity processing options are under consideration to support rapid development at Linka Tungsten Project.
- Tungsten prices near record highs, with Ammonium Paratungstate (APT) reaching USD 1,850 per mtu, fueling project advancement.
- Upcoming milestones include flotation tests, ore sorting trials, and a 3D geological model for the Linka Tungsten Project.
Viking Mines Ltd (ASX:VKA) has announced results from the first phase of gravity separation metallurgical testwork at the Linka Tungsten Project, reporting a 16-fold increase in tungsten grade from initial feed material. The program marks the first step in a multi-stage processing strategy designed to optimise recoveries and grades while evaluating low-capital development pathways.
16x Grade Increase Achieved in Initial Gravity Stage
The company completed gravity separation metallurgical testwork on a high-grade sample from the Linka Pit - LKMET0004, delivering a scheelite rougher concentrate grading 22.9% WO₃ from a calculated feed grade of 1.4% WO₃. The result was achieved through shaking table gravity separation across three grind sizes.
At the coarsest grind, the process reported recovery of 63.7% into the initial rougher concentrate. Further optimisation through staged grinding is underway to enhance both grade and recovery before conventional flotation is applied to boost the overall recoveries.
Mineralogical analysis using QEMSCAN indicates garnet comprises approximately 60% of the waste fraction, with calcite representing only 2%. Low calcite content reduces potential processing complexity during flotation.
VKA shares were trading at AUD 0.020 per share at the time of writing on 3 March 2026.
