Viking Mines公司在美国内华达州的Linka钨矿项目取得重要进展。[1]该公司完成的独立概念研究确认了一套可行的常规加工工艺流程，设计产能达到30万吨/年，同时具备灵活运营至10万或20万吨/年的能力。[1]建设时间预计约15个月，包括12个月的采购和制造周期以及3个月的现场组装。[1]
根据冶金测试结果，保守估计的回收率为60%的钙钨矿转化为50%的三氧化钨浓缩物，而公司实际测试的回收率达到76%转化为56.9%的三氧化钨浓缩物。[1]当前欧洲钨价处于多年高位，最近报价为US$3,265（A$4,694）/公吨。[1]
基于这一研究成果，Viking Mines已启动首次反循环钻探计划，预计本周开始。[1]钻探工作旨在定义初始矿产资源，目标包括测试三个特定区域的含钨矽卡岩矿化，以及距矿区7公里范围内的侵入接触带（目前仅10%已被测试）。[1]公司首席执行官Julius Woodcock表示："该研究证明Linka矿化可通过常规、成熟的工艺流程处理——重要的是，通过模块化工厂设计保持场地工作和前期资本效率。"[1]
Viking Mines has advanced its Linka tungsten project in Nevada following the completion of an independent conceptual study that validates a conventional processing route for the deposit [1]. The study confirms a processing plant design with a nameplate capacity of 300,000 tonnes per year, with flexibility to operate at reduced rates of 100,000 or 200,000 tonnes annually [1]. Construction is estimated to take approximately 15 months, comprising 12 months for procurement and manufacturing plus 3 months for on-site assembly [1].
Metallurgical testing indicates the project can achieve a conservative recovery rate of 60 percent for scheelite conversion to 50 percent tungsten trioxide concentrate, while actual test results demonstrated higher performance at 76 percent conversion to 56.9 percent tungsten trioxide concentrate [1]. The company has now commenced its first reverse circulation drilling program aimed at defining an initial mineral resource, with drilling expected to begin this week [1]. The drilling campaign will test three specific target areas of tungsten-bearing skarn mineralization, as well as intrusive contact zones within a 7-kilometre radius, of which only 10 percent has been tested to date [1].
Recent European tungsten prices have reached multi-year highs at US$3,265 (A$4,694) per metric tonne [1]. Chief Executive Officer Julius Woodcock stated: "The study demonstrates that Linka mineralization can be processed through conventional, proven processing methods — importantly, maintaining site efficiency and early-stage capital efficiency through a modular plant design" [1].