Rumble set for gold and tungsten take-off at Western Queen
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. Sponsored
The US Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has approved EBR's WiSE CRT System for Medicare inpatients under new technology add-on payment. Sponsored
Silver Mines has raised $30m through a strongly supported placement and will launch a share purchase plan to raise up to an additional $3m.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
SBS Australia
11 minutes ago
- SBS Australia
No new taxes before the next election, declares PM
No new taxes before the next election, declares PM Published 7 August 2025, 9:03 am The Prime Minister has all but ruled out any tax changes before the next election. There have been competing pitches for reforms ahead of the government's upcoming economic roundtable. One proposal is increase to the GST, but with every Australian to receive a cashback compensation.
News.com.au
22 minutes ago
- News.com.au
How big government is making life more expensive
We're in trouble … Right now in Australia, more than half of working-age adults get their main source of income from the government. That includes from JobSeeker, family payments, disability support, and more, as well as from income in public sector jobs. According to The Australian Financial Review, we're at the highest level of dependency since World War II. Meanwhile, the shape of the job market is shifting dramatically. According to The Australian, 82 per cent of all jobs created over the past two years were government-funded positions. In 2024, the private sector added just 53,000 jobs, while public employment surged at five times the normal rate. Economists are warning this is creating serious distortions in the labour market and driving Australia's ongoing productivity slump. But here's the worst part. To sustain this level of income support and public hiring, the government has to dramatically increase both taxes and spending. And that's what they've done. Total tax revenue hit a record $801.7 billion in 2023–24, or nearly 30 per cent of GDP – the highest in modern history. Income tax alone is expected to rise above $343 billion by 2025–26. That's a bigger tax burden on individuals and businesses than we've seen in decades. But it hasn't just been funded through tax. Over the past decade, the Reserve Bank and the government have massively expanded the money supply. Australia's M3 broad money measure – essentially the total pool of cash in the system – has grown to more than $3.15 trillion, up 80 per cent since 2015. That's more money in the economy, chasing the same supply of goods, housing, and services. And that's exactly what causes inflation. We're seeing that play out in everyday prices – at the supermarket, in energy bills, and most of all, in housing. Government overspending has helped weaken the Australian dollar. That makes imported goods and building materials more expensive – driving up construction costs. Meanwhile, inflation has pushed investors toward property as a store of value, sending demand – and prices – even higher. So, while the government talks about 'affordability,' its own policies are fuelling the very forces that make housing less affordable. And the pressure isn't just on prices. It's on productivity. To keep the machine running, the government is taxing more – especially on income, savings, and investment. But high taxes make it harder for people to start a business, grow one, or take financial risks. The result? Investment slows. Innovation stalls. Businesses hesitate. And Australia's ability to actually produce more – to meet all this demand – keeps falling behind. That's when inflation really sticks: when demand is pumped up by public spending, but supply can't keep up. Prices rise faster, and stay higher. According to former Treasury Secretary Ken Henry, Australia's poor productivity performance over the past 25 years has cost the average worker around $500,000 in lost income. And the Centre for Independent Studies puts it plainly: 'Australia's prosperity depends on private sector-led growth – not government spending propping up demand.' But right now, that's exactly what we're doing. We're building an economy on dependence – not on productivity. We're growing jobs in government – not in business. We're taxing more – but getting less. And we're printing money – instead of creating value. This isn't just about budgets or ideology. It's about whether we build an economy that rewards effort, innovation, and work – or one that makes us more dependent, more taxed, and more stuck. And right now, we're heading down the wrong path.
ABC News
an hour ago
- ABC News
Nauru sells first passports to help fund relocations as sea levels rise
Australia's Pacific neighbour, Nauru, has sold its first passports as part of a program raising funds for the relocation of residents affected by rising sea levels. The tiny island nation launched the scheme in February but it only approved its first six applicants this week, nearly half a year after it started. Selling for at least $US105,000 ($160,000), Nauru's "golden passports" offer citizenship by investment and the country claims it would enable visa-free entry into 89 countries. These are said to include the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates. Edward Clark, the head of Nauru's Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Program, told ABC Pacific Beat that a "relatively well-known" German family was among the successful applicants. He said, altogether, the family of four paid around $US250,000 ($380,000), with $US140,000 of these funds to go toward climate resilience projects in Nauru. "They had a long-standing family business in Germany, they sold it recently, and had relocated to Dubai," Mr Clark said. "Our understanding is that they're concerned about some of the volatility in Eastern Europe and the impact that might have on them as a family. Despite the slow start, Mr Clark said there were around 20 other applications being processed. "We are a new program so we are working to build credibility and awareness in the market," he said. "We are starting to build interest and work through the existing pipeline of applications ... and we have many others we know are coming." Nauru President David Adeang was upbeat about the latest milestone. "We welcome our new citizens whose investment will assist Nauru to secure a sustainable and prosperous future for generations to come," he told AFP on Thursday. Mr Clark said the target for the passport program is to generate $60 million a year. Nauru is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, with scientists measuring sea levels rising 1.5 times faster than global averages. Unusually pure phosphate deposits — a key ingredient in fertiliser — once made Nauru one of the wealthiest places, per capita, on the planet. But these supplies have long dried up and researchers estimate 80 per cent of Nauru has become uninhabitable due to mining. What little land Nauru has left is threatened by encroaching tides, which local authorities believe will force 90 per cent of its residents to relocate to higher ground. The first phase of this mass relocation is estimated to cost more than $US60 million. While the island has pinned its hopes on the new passport program to foot the bill, there are fears the scheme could be ripe for exploitation. Mr Clark told AFP one application has already been withdrawn after officials flagged "adverse findings" during background checks. "The application would have been rejected had it not been withdrawn," he said. Meanwhile, Mr Clark told the ABC the government conducts an "in-depth" due diligence process involving the financial intelligence unit, police, and third-party checks. "This is important to uphold and maintain the reputation for the country ... and for maintaining the integrity of the Nauru passport," he said. A previous Nauru attempt to sell passports ended in disaster. In 2003, Nauru officials sold citizenship to Al-Qaeda members who were later arrested in Asia. When asked how successful applicants could be sure their funds went toward economic and climate resilience projects, Mr Clark said it would appear in government records. "Because the program is at an early stage, the funds will just be co-mingled into the government treasury accounts and will be reported on through that mechanism," he said. "We are in discussions with Nauru government to set up a framework to make sure that those funds are allocated toward specific projects or initiatives if the program starts to generate revenue that is above the $10 million threshold." ABC/AFP
