Great Western Mining (LSE:GWMO) has reported initial metallurgical results from its Defender Tungsten Project in Nevada, with bench-scale flotation tests recovering 92.98% of tungsten into a rougher concentrate grading 7.21% tungsten trioxide (WO₃).
The test programme, conducted by Eriez Flotation Division, used a 750 kg bulk sample of representative run-of-mine material with a head grade of 0.35% WO₃.
Processing followed a sequential sulphide and scheelite flotation route. The initial sulphide flotation stage removed contaminants into a separate stream accounting for 3.97% of the total sample mass.
The subsequent flotation process produced a tungsten rougher concentrate with a recovery rate of 92.98% and a grade of 7.21% WO₃, providing initial data for further processing optimisation.
Great Western Mining said the concentrate contained low levels of potentially deleterious elements, including molybdenum. The company expects this composition to assist subsequent purification work and potentially support the production of concentrate meeting market specifications.
Eriez will now undertake additional metallurgical testing aimed at increasing concentrate grade through cleaner flotation circuits. The programme will also assess whether a mild regrinding stage could improve mineral liberation while avoiding excessive grinding of scheelite.
The results represent an initial stage of metallurgical evaluation, with further work required to determine the final concentrate specifications and assess the project’s potential commercial viability.
Great Western Mining is an exploration and development company with projects targeting tungsten, copper, gold and silver in Mineral County, Nevada. Its portfolio includes the Defender Tungsten Project and the Huntoon Copper Project, which hosts a JORC-compliant resource.
The company is also pursuing tailings reprocessing opportunities and evaluating potential farm-out and joint venture arrangements across its portfolio.
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