High-Grade Gold and Tungsten Strikes at Western Queen Boost Development Prospects
Rumble Resources (ASX: RTR) has announced significant high-grade gold and tungsten intercepts from its diamond drilling program at the Western Queen Project, positioning the company for potential dual-commodity revenue streams as development plans advance.
Diamond Drilling Delivers Exceptional Results
The latest diamond drilling program at Western Queen South has successfully extended gold mineralisation down plunge with impressive intercepts including:
- 6.93m @ 4.10g/t Au from 362m
- 0.3m @ 32.38g/t Au from 300.3m
- 1m @ 6.20g/t Au from 313m
- 27.4m @ 1.02g/t Au from 288m (including 2.7m @ 2.96g/t Au)
Equally significant is the continued discovery of high-grade gold and tungsten skarn mineralisation at both Western Queen South and Princess prospects, with standout results including:
- 24.6m @ 0.62% WO₃ from 292.5m (including 0.4m @ 10.53% WO₃)
- 0.51m @ 1.22% WO₃ from 360.27m
- 1.49m @ 0.83% WO₃ from 367.44m
- 1m @ 1.04% WO₃ from 383m
"Great to see some more good results from the last drilling program at Western Queen, especially the tungsten numbers. The gold hits are positive too," commented Peter Harold, Managing Director and CEO. "Early indications are that the tungsten could add significant revenue when mined in conjunction with the Western Queen South gold open pit resource."
Princess Prospect Shows Promise
Diamond drilling at the Princess prospect also yielded encouraging gold results, extending mineralisation with key intercepts including:
- 10.5m @ 1.41g/t Au from 220.7m
- 13m @ 1.50g/t Au from 189m (including 3m @ 2.90g/t Au)
- 2m @ 2.28g/t Au from 396m
All three holes at Princess intersected the mineralised position, characterised by silicification and pyrite-pyrrhotite alteration, with mineralisation remaining open down-plunge to the south.
Understanding Tungsten Skarn Mineralisation
Tungsten (W) is a rare metal with exceptional hardness and heat resistance, making it essential for industrial applications including cutting tools, aerospace components, and electronics. Its high melting point (3,422°C) makes it irreplaceable in many high-temperature applications.
Petrographic studies have confirmed that tungsten mineralisation at Western Queen represents an early prograde endoskarn mineralisation event which predates the orogenic gold mineralisation. This geological sequence is significant as it means the tungsten mineralisation follows a different structural pattern than the gold, potentially creating opportunities for separate extraction and processing strategies.
The high-grade tungsten mineralisation remains open in all directions, providing substantial exploration upside. Historical diamond core sampling for tungsten has been completed with assays expected during June, with a maiden tungsten Mineral Resource Estimate on track for completion during the September quarter.
Development Timeline and Next Steps
Rumble Resources has outlined a clear path forward for both gold and tungsten development at Western Queen:
Gold Development Path:
- Interpret results from Phase 1 RC and Phase 2 diamond drilling programs
- Complete open pit and underground mining studies
- Plan regional drilling program along strike of the Western Queen Shear Zone
Tungsten Development Path:
- Receive final assays for historical diamond core sampling
- Report a maiden tungsten mineral resource estimate (September quarter)
- Complete metallurgical testwork to determine revenue potential
- Plan drilling in open positions with initial focus on shallow open pit positions
Investment Thesis: Dual-Commodity Opportunity
The Western Queen Gold Project, located 110km northwest of Mt Magnet in Western Australia, is strategically positioned within a 100km radius of three gold processing plants, the closest being Dalgaranga (48km by road) with a capacity of 2.5 Mtpa.
With an updated mineral resource of 4.42Mt @ 2.02 g/t Au for 286,600 oz announced in October 2024, the project already presents a compelling gold development opportunity. The two mined deposits at Western Queen have a combined historic production of 880,000t @ 7.6 g/t Au for 215,000oz.
The unexpected discovery of high-grade gold and tungsten now presents a potential second revenue stream that could significantly enhance project economics. Preliminary metallurgical testwork has indicated this tungsten material could generate substantial additional revenue when mined alongside the gold resource.
Why Investors Should Track Rumble Resources
- Near-term production potential with an existing gold resource and proximity to processing facilities
- Dual-commodity upside from both gold and high-grade tungsten mineralisation
- Resource growth potential with mineralisation remaining open in multiple directions
- Clear development pathway with defined next steps and timelines
- Strategic location within a prolific gold mining region with established infrastructure
Investors should watch for the upcoming tungsten resource estimate and metallurgical test results, both of which could serve as significant catalysts for the company's valuation. Furthermore, with both gold and tungsten prices showing strength in global markets, Rumble Resources is well-positioned to capitalise on this unique dual-commodity opportunity at Western Queen.
Want to Capitalise on This Dual-Commodity Opportunity?
To learn more about Rumble Resources' promising Western Queen Project and its potential for dual gold and tungsten revenue streams, visit their website. Discover how the company's strategic development pathway and significant high-grade intercepts could translate into compelling investment value in this emerging resource opportunity.
