Rumble set for gold and tungsten take-off at Western Queen

• Emerging miner Rumble Resources’ historical diamond core testing returns multiple high-grade tungsten assays from Western Queen project
• A Maiden tungsten MRE is on track for August, with further exploration at Western Queen targeting additional mineralisation.
• Early metallurgy indicates tungsten could deliver strong revenue alongside the WA project’s near-term gold production

Special Report: Rumble Resources is set to significantly expand the potential of its Western Queen project, with high-grade tungsten assays confirming a major system of the critical mineral alongside its existing gold resource.

The company last month upgraded the gold mineral resource estimate (MRE) to 3.72Mt at 3.1 grams per tonne (g/t) for 370,000 ounces of gold, and Rumble (ASX:RTR) is now closing in on a maiden tungsten resource at the project.

Assays from the latest historical diamond core testing have revealed multiple high-grade tungsten intersections of 3.45m at 0.66 per cent tungsten trioxide (WO₃) from 299m, including 1.5m at 0.96 per cent WO₃ and 0.45m at 1.32 per cent WO₃.

And another intercept returned 4m at 0.75 per cent WO₃ and 0.71 g/t gold from 220m, including 1m at 2.24 per cent WO₃ and 0.97 g/t gold.

More upside in view

Tungsten mineralisation has now been identified over a 1.5km strike between the Western Queen South and Central open pits, with geological modelling outlining 18 separate tungsten lodes.

These lodes are adjacent and sub-parallel to the gold structures, and remain open along strike and at depth, suggesting further upside.

Rumble is also conducting a reconnaissance field program across the broader Western Queen area, where additional tungsten skarn targets have been identified.

Independent consultant Ashmore Advisory has been engaged to deliver the maiden tungsten MRE, which is expected to be finalised in August.

Meanwhile, early metallurgical testwork has indicated that the scheelite-bearing tungsten ore could provide a meaningful revenue stream alongside Western Queen’s near-term gold production outlook.

A bulk sample is currently being prepared for more detailed testwork by Mineral Technologies to develop a grade versus recovery curve, which will inform mine planning and scheduling.

The company’s managing director and CEO, Peter Harold, said: “This work has demonstrated that Western Queen hosts a major tungsten system in addition to the high-grade mineralisation.

“Having just reported a significant gold resource upgrade to 370,000 ounces at 3.1 g/t it’s very exciting to also be on the verge of reporting the maiden tungsten resource at Western Queen, especially given the strong interest in tungsten projects thanks to the metal’s strategic importance.

“With growing global demand for tungsten due to its strategic importance in defence, aerospace and industrial technologies, Rumble is well-positioned to advance Western Queen as a dual gold and critical minerals asset of national significance.

“I look forward to us reporting the maiden Western Queen tungsten resource and seeing how much more tungsten our geological team find. ”

Critical applications

Tungsten is a critical mineral facing high and escalating demand thanks to its high melting point, hardness and density. These properties make it ideal for a range of industries including aerospace, defence and electronics. But its most common use is in cemented carbides, used for cutting tools and wear-resistant materials.

China currently produces more than 80 per cent of the world’s tungsten ore and there is a strong push by Western governments to reduce the reliance on Chinese sourced tungsten.

Multi-commodity opportunity

The news of more high-grade tungsten out of Western Queen follows Rumble acquiring the highly prospective Thunderstorm gold project in WA’s Goldfields-Esperance region of WA during April.

RTR is also continuing to advance its world-class zinc-lead-silver Earaheedy project.

This article was developed in collaboration with Rumble Resources, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.