维京矿业公司在位于美国内华达州的Linka项目历史废弃堆中发现了高品位钨矿。该公司第一阶段采样结果显示，三个历史岩石堆中钨三氧化物含量分别达到1.8%、0.5%和0.4%，其中最高品位远超0.1%的历史水平。[1] 原Linka矿山于1956年因美国政府停止钨购买计划而关闭。[1]
维京矿业首席执行官Julian Woodcock指出，"历史运营者遗留的钨被简单丢弃，因为80年前没有回收工具"。[1] 该公司已完成冶金工作，验证了生产品位为56.9%钨三氧化物精矿的可行性，回收率达76%。[1] 此外，维京矿业已在德国TOMRA公司完成矿石分选测试，相关结果待发布。[1]
随着钨被列为关键矿物，美国政府正支持国内战略供应链的开发。美国政府近期为ASX上市稀土公司提供了13亿美元贷款支持。[1]
Viking Mines has discovered high-grade tungsten in historical waste dumps at its Linka project in Nevada, marking a significant recovery opportunity as the critical mineral gains strategic importance in the United States.[1] Initial sampling from the first phase of work revealed tungsten trioxide concentrations reaching as high as 1.8%, substantially exceeding the historical average grades of 0.5%, 0.4%, and 0.1% across three historic rock piles.[1]
The original Linka mine ceased operations in 1956 following the cessation of a U.S. government tungsten purchasing program.[1] Chief Executive Officer Julian Woodcock of Viking Mines noted that "tungsten left behind by historical operators was simply discarded, as recovery tools did not exist eighty years ago."[1] Metallurgical work has demonstrated the company's ability to produce a concentrate grading 56.9% tungsten trioxide with a recovery rate of 76%.[1] Viking has completed ore sorting tests with Germany's TOMRA, with results to be released.[1]
The project's development occurs within a supportive policy environment, as the U.S. government has designated tungsten as a critical mineral and recently extended a $1.3 billion loan to advance domestic strategic supply chain development.[1]