• 31 outcrop, float and spoil samples returned more than 1000ppm WO3

• Copper, silver and gold assays also add a polymetallic angle

• Pioneer now spans 517ha with more sampling planned

Special Report: Rock chip sampling at Red Mountain Mining’s Pioneer tungsten project in Montana has returned “exceptional and consistent” results, with a peak assay above 5400ppm tungsten trioxide.

Red Mountain Mining (ASX:RMX)says best grades from the Greenstone, Glow Worm, and Lost Creek targets showed 5473ppm tungsten trioxide, 4036ppm and 3241ppm, respectively.

At Greenstone, 30 of 113 outcrop, float and spoil samples exceeded 500ppm and 17 topped 1000ppm. RMX says the most consistent response runs for about 400m immediately south-southwest of the Greenstone Mine Claim and remains a priority drill target.

At Glow Worm, 12 of 57 outcrop, float and spoil samples exceeded 500ppm and eight topped 1000ppm across a prospect with about 700m of mapped garnet skarn.

Lost Creek returned more than 500ppm in eight of 13 outcrop, float and spoil samples, with six above 1000ppm, while much of that prospect remains unsampled.

Greenstone and Glow Worm also delivered strong base and precious metal results from rock sampling. Northern Greenstone returned 6.72% copper, 462g/t silver and 3.88g/t gold, while Glow Worm returned up to 3.97% copper and 199g/t silver.

The Pioneer project sits beside Almonty Industries’ 6.83Mt at 0.315% tungsten trioxide Gentung deposit. As well, the neighbouring Ivanhoe and Lost Creek mines are estimated to have collectively produced about 680,000t of tungsten ore in the 1950s and 1970s.

Greenstone, Glow Worm and Lost Creek collectively extend about 5km along the eastern margin of the Mount Torrey Batholith. Pic: RMX

Tungsten’s strategic squeeze

Tungsten has a broad industrial base. The US Geological Survey says about 60% of US consumption goes into cemented-carbide cutting and wear-resistant parts used in construction, metalworking, mining and oil and gas drilling. Other uses include alloys, specialty steels, electrical components, welding products and chemicals.

The USGS also estimated 2025 mine output at 85,000t of contained tungsten, with China supplying 67,000t, or about 79%. The US has not mined tungsten commercially since 2015, while USGS ranks tungsten among the highest-risk US critical mineral supply chains.

China placed export controls on selected tungsten products and related technologies in February of last year. Washington has also moved to build alternative supply, including a US$6.2 million Defense Production Act award for work on the Pilot Mountain tungsten project in Nevada.

In January this year, tungsten prices hit record highs as export controls, tight supply and industrial, aerospace and defence demand converged.

More ground before the drill bit

RMX has more than doubled Pioneer to 517ha, expanding the Greenstone and Mammoth targets, and adding Glow Worm.

The majority of Mammoth and Lost Creek remains unexplored, with the company planning another field program in October.

Further mapping and sampling will help rank targets before drilling. Southern Greenstone and northern Lost Creek are likely to be among the highest-priority areas for the company.

This article was developed in collaboration with Red Mountain Mining, 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.