Rumble Resource’s Western Queen Gold Project closing in on production
Rumble Resources could join the ASX’s new gold producer class of 2025, with several key steps underway to prepare its Western Queen project for near term mining.
Open pit optimisation and underground feasibility studies under way at Rumble Resources’ Western Queen gold project
Co-operation agreement between Rumble and contractor MEGA finalised, with signing pending completion of optimisation work
Maiden tungsten resource by September quarter
Special Report: Rumble Resources is preparing to ride the gold wave as it works on initiatives to move the Western Queen gold project towards development in the near term.
With a target to mine first ore by the end of 2025, Rumble (ASX:RTR) is optimising the proposed open pit designs for the Western Queen South gold deposit.
The project has a current mineral resource estimate of 4.42 million tonnes at 2.02 grams per tonne for 286,600oz, with the open pit contributing ~1.42Mt at 1.59 g/t for ~72,500oz gold.
The emerging miner is additionally conducting a proof-of-concept study for underground mining at the Western Queen South deposit.
On another front, Rumble is finalising documents required for the open pit project approval, scheduled for lodgement in early June.
Also ongoing are discussions with potential ore purchasing parties.
There are several gold processing plants close to Western Queen in WA’s Mid West region that are currently on care and maintenance. Talks have started with the owners of these plants that could be refurbished and restarted during 2026.
The co-operation agreement between Rumble and contractor Bain Global Resources (BGR)/MEGA has been finalised, although its signing has been deferred until the optimisation process is complete.
BGR is associated with Rumble’s large strategic investor Bain Resources Holdings.
Rumble is also considering the opportunity to sell an additional gold royalty for an upfront cash payment after receiving a non-binding indicative offer from a specialty royalty company.
Rumble CEO and managing director Peter Harold said: “The Western Queen gold mine project is progressing towards development. Optimisation of the proposed open pits is underway and at the same time we are undertaking an underground proof of concept study to compare the working capital requirements and economics of the different mining methods.
“In the meantime, we are ready to submit the various documents seeking the necessary approvals for the open pit project.
“The co-operation agreement between Rumble and Bain/MEGA has been finalised with signing deferred until optimisation work is completed.
“In other developments, we have been approached to sell a modest NSR royalty on future gold production from Western Queen which could result in a substantial upfront cash payment. We are investigating this opportunity.
“Concurrently, work continues on the resource estimation and the metallurgy of the tungsten mineralisation at Western Queen South to determine whether a tungsten revenue stream can be generated. The maiden tungsten resource should be available during the September quarter.”
Critical resource
Another metal riding high is critical mineral tungsten and Rumble’s maiden tungsten resource at Western Queen is due for delivery in the September quarter.
Metallurgical testwork has begun to determine if a tungsten revenue stream can be generated in combination with the gold revenue stream.
Drilling results from the project have included 4m at 4.58 per cent tungsten oxide, 2m at 8.71 per cent tungsten oxide and 0.65m at 18.35% tungsten oxide, all from a depth of around 175m.
Mr Harold said the tungsten grades were “incredible” when compared with tungsten mines globally, with operating plants processing feed at grades of between 0.2-0.3% WO3.
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.
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