- 01Hits to 292m at 0.11% WO₃, 45m beyond model.
- 0250 of 140 holes done; target 165–200Mt.
- 03Molybdenum and gold also found; resource upgrade unconfirmed.
Tungsten Mining (ASX: TGN) has intersected substantially thicker tungsten mineralisation than predicted at its Mt Mulgine project in Western Australia, strengthening the case for an expansion of the Mulgine Trench resource.
Initial results from 16 reverse circulation drill holes returned broad intersections of up to 292 metres at 0.11% tungsten trioxide, with mineralisation extending as much as 45m beyond the existing geological model.
The findings come from a planned 140-hole, 40,000m resource expansion program testing areas beyond an existing mineral resource estimate of 247 million tonnes at 0.11% tungsten trioxide.
Tungsten Mining commenced the RC campaign in May and has completed 50 holes for 14,140m, with assays outstanding for the balance of the holes drilled so far.
Alongside the tungsten results, drilling has identified substantial molybdenum zones and discrete high-grade gold intersections that could add by-product value to a future operation.
Broad Mineralisation
The strongest tungsten intersections included 292m at 0.11% from 2m, 290m at 0.10% from 10m and 264m at 0.11% from 24m, illustrating the breadth of mineralisation across the deposit.
At the northeastern end of Mulgine Trench, drilling extended tungsten mineralisation 30m to 45m beyond modelled depths, with true thicknesses reaching about 290m.
Central drilling similarly encountered an additional 20m to 40m of mineralisation and true thicknesses of up to 265m, while several holes in both areas finished within mineralised material.
In the southwest, grades of 0.08% to 0.09% were consistent with the existing model, but mineralised thicknesses exceeded predictions by 15m to 40m and reached up to 160m.
Resource Upside Potential
The current drilling is assessing a separate conceptual exploration target of 165Mt to 200Mt grading 0.10% to 0.12% tungsten trioxide and 180 to 220 parts per million molybdenum.
That target sits outside the current MRE, which was established in May 2020 and includes indicated and inferred resources across tungsten, molybdenum, gold, silver, and copper.
Drilling has confirmed continuity of the 50m to 120m-wide Lower Tungsten-Molybdenum Domain, including a molybdenum interval of 66m at 681ppm.
Gold results included 6m at 5.49 grams per tonne, 10m at 3.67g/t and 22m at 1.83g/t within broader zones of elevated mineralisation.
The exploration target remains conceptual, with insufficient exploration to establish an additional mineral resource and no certainty that the new drilling will change the existing MRE.
Development Priorities
Further assay results and geological modelling will be needed before the expanded drilling coverage can be incorporated into a revised resource estimate.
“These initial results are highly encouraging and reinforce the significant resource growth potential at Mt Mulgine,” chair Gary Lyons said.
“Broad tungsten intersections, including areas materially thicker than predicted, have exceeded expectations and strongly support our ambition to expand an already globally significant tungsten resource.”
The company plans to advance Mt Mulgine towards a definitive feasibility study encompassing process engineering, mine design, metallurgical test work, water investigations, and environmental approvals.
Its near-term development priority remains the flagship Watershed project, where work is progressing towards a final investment decision and a capital-efficient funding structure while Mt Mulgine advances as a longer-term opportunity.
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