Viking Mines Ltd said that ore-sorting tests at its Linka tungsten project in Nevada increased tungsten feed grades [1].
These results are critical for the company as it seeks to de-risk the Nevada project. By demonstrating a higher-grade processing route, Viking Mines aims to create a more economical method for producing tungsten concentrate [3].
The trials showed that ore-sorting could produce grades up to 4.1 times the original feed grade [1]. Assay results from these tests confirmed tungsten grades reaching as high as 1.91% tungsten trioxide (WO₃) [2].
Beyond the sorting trials, the company has conducted laboratory tests to refine the concentrate. One such test produced a 62.5% WO₃ concentrate [4]. This result was achieved with a 59.8% recovery rate from a 1.2% feed grade [4].
The Linka project is located in the U.S. state of Nevada. The company is utilizing these metallurgical wins to prove the viability of the site, a key step in moving the project toward full-scale production [3].
“Ore-sorting tests achieved up to 4.1 times the feed grade”
The ability to concentrate ore before it reaches the mill reduces the volume of material that must be processed, which typically lowers operational costs and energy consumption. If Viking Mines can scale these sorting results, the Linka project becomes more competitive against global tungsten suppliers, potentially securing a more stable domestic supply of a critical mineral in the U.S.
