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Craig Nolan
Viking Mines has joined forces with a global US-based consulting firm to propel its permitting pathway into overdrive, as the company looks to develop its flagship Linka tungsten project in the US state of Nevada.
The link-up with global engineering consultancy WSP USA Inc. (WSP) will drive permitting workflow and data acquisition activities, crushing the expected project development timeline into a more efficient time window.
The permitting work is anticipated to run parallel with other vital programs, such as metallurgical, geological and engineering studies.
Immediate commencement of the baseline studies by WSP is expected to fast-track the permitting process and put the project on the fast road towards development, accelerating the company’s ambition to supply US-mined tungsten, currently in strong demand due to Chinese-imposed supply restrictions.
Viking says the partnership provides the company with access to world-class technical resources and established regulatory relationships within the US.
‘Engaging WSP is another critical step in moving Linka toward a development-ready state.’
Viking Mines managing director and chief executive officer Julian Woodcock
WSP brings a global workforce of 83,000 employees to the relationship, with a significant presence in Nevada’s highly rated mining jurisdiction. Nevada often ranks among the world’s most attractive destinations for mining.
Viking believes engaging WSP to immediately “put the foot down” on required permitting programs and baseline data acquisition will add value and ultimately, de-risk the project as it steams ahead towards its development goal.
The initial survey work is expected to capture critical biological and water data, thereby locking in a valuable proprietary database.
Viking Mines managing director and chief executive officer Julian Woodcock said: “Engaging WSP is another critical step in moving Linka toward a development-ready state. By commencing the permitting process with baseline data collection and in parallel with metallurgical, engineering and geological programmes, we are effectively compressing the development timeline.”
WSP’s scope of work is split into three clear phases, each designed to steadily march Linka toward development. The first phase will centre on baseline data and strategy, combining desktop and geological assessments to build a solid project foundation and map out the most efficient permitting pathway.
Phase two will then shift into full-field mode, with detailed biological, water and cultural surveys aimed at ticking off state and federal regulatory requirements.
The final phase will focus on regulatory compliance, pulling together site assessments and approvals documentation to ensure Viking can press on with its exploration and development plans without missing a beat.
Viking’s partnership with WSP comes hot on the heels of Tuesday’s reveal that the company has engaged mineral processing specialist Mineral Technologies to spearhead a concept study for the Linka project.
A subsidiary of the $5 billion ASX-listed Downer EDI, Mineral Technologies’ imprimatur is to focus on designing a low-cost, modular processing plant to fast-track production and potential early cash flow.
The processing firm has more than 80 years of experience in the field and has become a leader in gravity separation and mineral processing solutions.
Recent metallurgical test results confirmed that the Linka high-grade ore is amenable to simple, cost-effective processing methods.
The use of basic gravity separation techniques resulted in a staggering 16-fold increase in its tungsten grade, ratcheting up a 1.4 per cent product feed into a more-than-solid 22.9 per cent tungsten concentrate.
Notably, the price of tungsten has soared in recent times, now sitting at a healthy US$2200 (A$3120) per metric tonne unit, equivalent to 10 kilograms in the world of metal trading.
Tungsten is one of the toughest metals in the game, boasting an ultra-high melting point and forming the backbone of critical alloys used in defence, aerospace and heavy industry, including cutting tools and drill bits.
Viking is putting excellent steps in place to bring the Linka project towards its expected development, and much like its namesake warriors of old, the company looks set to keep pushing forward until its “tungsten raid” is complete.
Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au
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