Viking Mines Ltd. achieved concentrate grades of up to 1.91% WO₃ during ore-sorting trials at its Linka tungsten project in Nevada [1].
These results are significant because they improve the processing economics of the site. By increasing the grade of the material before it reaches the mill, the company can reduce waste and lower operational costs.
The trials focused on utilizing ore-sorting technology to separate high-grade tungsten from waste rock. This process resulted in a concentrate grade that was up to 4.1 times the original feed grade [1]. Such a jump in concentration allows the company to deliver a higher-grade product more efficiently.
Company data said the 1.91% WO₃ figure represents a substantial increase in the quality of the material processed [1]. This technical milestone is part of a broader strategy to de-risk the Nevada project by proving the metallurgy and recovery methods before full-scale production begins [3].
The Linka project is located in the U.S. state of Nevada. By refining the feed grade through these sorting trials, Viking Mines aims to ensure the project remains economically viable even during fluctuations in global tungsten prices.
Ore-sorting technology acts as a filter, removing barren rock early in the mining cycle. This means less energy and water are required to process the remaining high-grade ore, a critical factor for projects operating in arid regions like Nevada.
“Concentrate grades reached up to 1.91% WO₃”
The ability to significantly increase feed grade through pre-processing reduces the capital expenditure required for large-scale milling. For Viking Mines, this technical success suggests that the Linka project can produce high-value concentrate with lower overhead, making the operation more attractive to investors and reducing the geological risk associated with tungsten extraction in the US.
