Resolution Minerals Ltd (ASX:RML, OTCQB:RLMLF, FRA:NC3) has returned high-grade tungsten results from historical stockpiles at its recently acquired Johnson Creek Tungsten and Antimony Mill in Idaho, strengthening its strategy to fast-track near-term production from existing material.
Preliminary sampling of the stockpiles — sourced from the past-producing Golden Gate tungsten mine — delivered a composite grade of 1.85% WO₃ from a 93.6-kilogram mini-bulk sample, alongside minor gold credits of 0.11g/t and low impurity levels.
The result broadly aligns with historical production grades from Golden Gate and compares favourably with typical global underground tungsten grades, which are often below 0.20% WO₃.
“Confirming a high-grade 1.85% WO₃ result from the Golden Gate stockpile is a significant milestone for Resolution Minerals,” executive director Aharon Zaetz said. “The combination of strong grade, scheelite-dominant mineralisation and low impurity levels highlights the potential for a simple, low-cost processing pathway.”
LEFT: A photo of one of the historical stockpiles at Johnson Creek Tungsten & Antimony Mill that was mapped and sampled by RML field personnel. The stockpile has remained untouched since the 1980s following the cessation of mining activities at Golden Gate that decade. The stockpile contains ore-material believed mined from the Tungsten Mine at Golden Gate. RIGHT: Blue-light (ultraviolent lamp) photo of part of the stockpile pictured left. Under ultraviolet light the WO3 ore mineral scheelite reflects vivid white/light blue. By virtue of this reflectance, this photo shows tungsten mineralisation. This mineralisation is in the form of vein and disseminated scheelite with an estimated abundance of between 1% and 30% of the individual rocks in the photo. Also note that the scheelite mineral contains 80.52% WO3 molecular weight.
Stockpile opportunity takes shape
The stockpiles, estimated to contain around 2,000 tonnes of previously mined ore, have remained largely untouched since the 1980s and sit adjacent to Resolution’s Horse Heaven Project in Idaho.
Project location plan showing the Johnson Creek Mill where the stockpiles are located, and the major prospects of the Horse Heaven Project, Golden Gate and Antimony Ridge.
Sampling and mapping programs completed in 2025 confirmed that the material is dominated by scheelite — a well-understood tungsten ore mineral — hosted within granodiorite, consistent with mineralisation observed at the original Golden Gate mine.
Independent mineralogical analysis also identified favourable metallurgical characteristics, including:
- Low levels of deleterious elements such as arsenic, molybdenum and phosphorus
- High quartz content, which may support efficient grinding and mineral liberation
- Scheelite as the primary tungsten mineral, typically easier to process than alternative ore types
These factors point to the potential for producing a high-quality tungsten concentrate capable of meeting ammonium para-tungstate (APT) specifications.
Importantly, the company noted that the stockpile grades are consistent with historical mining data, which reported grades of around 1.5% to 2.0% WO₃ from earlier operations at Golden Gate.
Mill/Stockpile and sample location plan.
Fast-tracking development pathway
The results mark an early step in Resolution’s plan to bring the stockpiles into JORC (2012) compliance and assess their suitability for near-term production.
Next work will focus on:
- More detailed surface and sub-surface sampling
- Volumetric surveys to define stockpile size
- Specific gravity testing to estimate tonnage
- Metallurgical studies to refine processing flowsheets
The company is also assessing options for potential direct offtake from the stockpiled material while development studies continue.
The Johnson Creek mill and stockpiles were acquired earlier this month as part of a broader push to establish in-house processing capability for tungsten, antimony and gold in the United States.
That strategy builds on earlier moves aimed at accelerating exposure to critical minerals, as well as ongoing exploration success at the nearby Horse Heaven project, where follow-up drilling has targeted gold and tungsten systems.
Google Earth image showing the Mill/Stockpile and sample locations.
Positioned in tightening critical minerals market
The update comes amid growing geopolitical focus on securing domestic supply chains for critical minerals, particularly in the United States.
Resolution noted that tungsten prices have risen sharply in recent years — from below US$400 to around US$2,200 per metric ton — amid tightening supply and global conflict-related disruptions.
At the same time, US policy initiatives — including a multi-billion-dollar push to rebuild strategic stockpiles — are supporting renewed interest in domestic production.
Against that backdrop, Resolution is aiming to leverage its existing infrastructure and historical stockpiles to potentially shorten development timelines, while continuing to advance exploration across its broader Idaho asset base.
While the current results are based on early-stage sampling and the stockpiles are not yet JORC-compliant, the company believes the combination of grade, metallurgy and location provides a compelling foundation for further evaluation.
LEFT: Photo from the ASX Announcement of 2 March 2026 showing the Johnson Creek tungsten and antimony Mill. RIGHT: Photo from the ASX Announcement of 2 March 2026 showing the adit of the closed tungsten mine at Golden Gate.