Rumble Resources Limited (ASX: RTR) has discovered high grade tungsten from diamond core drilling at its Western Queen South deposit. Systematic pXRF analysis of drill hole WQDD013 led to ultraviolet scanning which highlighted very significant zones of scheelite. Wet analysis of the main visible scheelite zone has confirmed the discovery as very high-grade tungsten skarn style mineralization.
Of great significance is the subsequent review of all of the pXRF data routinely collected by Rumble which has shown tungsten is widespread within the Western Queen gold mineralizing system.
Recent diamond drilling has uncovered exceptionally high-grade tungsten (scheelite) mineralization within the Western Queen gold system. Notably, drill-hole WQDD013 yielded significant results, including 4m at 4.58% WO3 and 0.72g/t Au from 174.85m. This includes a section of 2.05 meters at 8.71% WO3 and 1.38 g/t Au from 176.85m, and a further 0.65m at 18.35% WO3 and 2.97g/t Au from 176.85m.
A strong, continuous tungsten anomaly has been outlined over a 2km stretch from drillhole XRF data, paralleling the Western Queen Shear and known high-grade gold mineralization. Tungsten has been found at the surface between the Western Queen South and Western Queen Central open pits, with widths reaching up to 20m.
Follow-up wet assays for tungsten of selected pulps from RC drilling, which were part of the 2021 mineral resource estimate at Western Queen, have been submitted and will be reported once available. Tungsten is considered a critical and strategic material in world economies due to its economic importance, supply risk, and limited substitution options.
In addition to the assaying, ultraviolet scanning of the diamond core from WQDD013 has highlighted scheelite within altered mafic rocks. The mineralization is primarily composed of scheelite-pyroxene, with possible inclusions of magnetite and gold skarn zones.
Peter Harold, managing director and CEO commented “the discovery of the very high-grade tungsten at Western Queen is an unexpected bonus for us from the recent drilling which was targeting extensions to the high-grade gold lodes. While it is very early days the grades of the intersections are exceptional and well above the grades of other tungsten resources globally. We are now waiting with trepidation for the results from the 2021 drill pulps. This discovery shows the huge optionality of the Rumble tenements and the ability of our highly experienced exploration team to make new discoveries.”
