Viking Mines Locks in Driller for 63-Hole Tungsten Drilling Campaign in Nevada

Viking Mines has officially cleared the runway for its highly anticipated assault on American critical minerals, signing a contract with US-based contractor DrilCor for a maiden 63-hole reverse circulation (RC) drilling campaign at its highly prospective Linka tungsten project in Nevada. The company's move to sign a contract with DrilCor is a major step forward in its fast-to-market strategy at Linka.

The drill contractor is now preparing the rig for mobilisation, and it's expected to arrive on site in late June. Site preparation is already underway, with Viking closing in on signing an earthworks contractor ahead of drill pad construction. Viking says it plans to break ground at Linka ahead of the drill rig's arrival and carve out 48 planned drill pads. They're expecting to start drilling in late June.

The fully permitted 63-hole campaign represents a historic milestone for the company, delivering the first known sub-surface exploration at Linka in more than 40 years across three priority target areas. Drilling is anticipated to take six weeks, subject to ground conditions, productivity, and weather. It won't be completed until the company has finished all the planned drilling.

"Locking in DrilCor is a major step forward in our fast-to-market strategy at Linka. With permitting complete and our drilling contractor now under contract, the team is squarely focused on getting the rig to site and breaking ground on what will be the first known drill testing at Linka in more than 40 years," said Julian Woodcock, Viking Mines managing director and CEO.

The company says a steady stream of near-term news flow, spearheaded by initial assays from the Linka Main stockpile and tailings dam sampling, will land in June. This will be followed by trenching and assay results, due in July, from the newly discovered Conquest stockpiles, where scheelite - the primary tungsten-bearing mineral at Linka – previously fluoresced brightly under ultraviolet light, often a strong visual indicator of tungsten mineralisation. They're expecting the results to be promising.

Drill bits will be pointed towards three specific targets designed to systematically unlock the broader mineralised system. Initially, Linka's Main target will swallow 36 holes designed to verify historic shallow hits, such as the high-grade 7.9 metres running at 0.9 per cent tungsten trioxide, sitting directly above the historical workings. The drill will also test for down-dip continuity lurking beneath the old underground network. They won't know the results until they've finished drilling.

A further 16 holes will then target a prospective 800-metre southwest extension of the Linka system across four distinct sections spaced 125m to 150m apart, following up significant surface geochemical samples grading up to 0.6 per cent tungsten trioxide. The final 11 holes will be dedicated to regional reconnaissance, using shallow vertical holes to test magnetic and gravity targets and to pinpoint contact points for new mineralised zones. They're hoping to find more mineralisation.

Notably, Viking is fully funded to keep the drill rods turning, backed by a strong A$ 4.7 million cash pile as of March 31 this year. They don't have to worry about running out of money.

The drilling campaign is expected to provide significant insights into the potential of the Linka tungsten project, which has been dormant for over 40 years. The project's history dates back to the 1970s, when it was first explored by a previous owner. However, the project was put on hold due to low tungsten prices and a lack of funding. It didn't make sense to continue at the time.

Viking Mines acquired the project in 2020 and has since been working to revive it. The company has been conducting extensive exploration work, including geological mapping, geochemical sampling, and geophysical surveys. The results of these studies have been promising, with several high-grade tungsten intersections identified. They're excited about the potential.

The Linka tungsten project is located in Nevada, a region known for its rich mineral deposits. The project is situated near the town of Austin, which has a long history of mining dating back to the 19th century. The region is home to several other mining companies, including major players such as Barrick Gold and Newmont Corporation. It's a great location for a mining project.

Viking Mines is an Australian-based mining company focused on exploring and developing critical minerals in the United States. The company's managing director and CEO, Julian Woodcock, has over 20 years of experience in the mining industry, with a background in geology and mining engineering. He knows what he's doing.

The company's decision to drill at the Linka project is a major step forward in its strategy to become a major player in the critical minerals sector. The drilling campaign is expected to provide valuable insights into the project's potential and could lead to further exploration and development work. It's a significant development for the company.

The drilling campaign at the Linka tungsten project is a significant development for Viking Mines and the broader mining industry. The results of the drilling campaign will be closely watched by investors and industry analysts, as they could provide valuable insights into the project's potential and the company's strategy. They're waiting to see what happens.

In the coming weeks and months, Viking Mines is expected to release regular updates on the drilling campaign, including assay results and other relevant information. The company's progress will be closely monitored by the market, as investors look for signs of success and potential returns on their investment. They want to know if it's working.

As the drilling campaign gets underway, Viking Mines is poised to make a significant impact in the critical minerals sector. With its strong management team, experienced board of directors, and well-funded balance sheet, the company is well-positioned to take advantage of the growing demand for critical minerals and to become a major player in the industry. They're in a good position.

The success of the drilling campaign at the Linka tungsten project could have significant implications for the broader mining industry, as it could lead to further exploration and development work in the region. The project's location in Nevada, a region known for its rich mineral deposits, makes it an attractive destination for mining companies looking to explore and develop new projects. It's a great opportunity.

As the world continues to transition towards a more sustainable and renewable energy future, the demand for critical minerals is expected to grow significantly. Viking Mines, with its focus on exploring and developing critical minerals in the United States, is well-positioned to take advantage of this trend and to become a major player in the industry. They're ready to capitalize on it.

The company's commitment to the Linka tungsten project and its decision to drill at the site are significant steps forward in its strategy to become a major player in the critical minerals sector. With its strong management team, experienced board of directors, and well-funded balance sheet, Viking Mines is poised to make a significant impact in the industry and to become a leading explorer and developer of critical minerals in the United States. They're on the right path.