Right Resources Ltd (ASX:RRE) has produced a high-grade tungsten sink product from preliminary metallurgical testwork at its Blue prospect near Tumbarumba in New South Wales, supporting further evaluation of a gravity-led processing route.
Heavy Liquid Separation testing on a 32-kilogram composite sample returned a product grading 66.5% tungsten trioxide at a crush size below 1 millimetre, with an indicative tungsten recovery of 81.6%.
The results suggest a substantial proportion of the tungsten in the tested material may be recoverable at relatively coarse crush sizes, potentially reducing the need for fine grinding.
However, Right Resources cautioned that the sample was collected from a single surface location and should not be considered representative of grade or metallurgical variability across the wider Blue prospect. The laboratory results also do not represent recoveries achievable using conventional gravity equipment.
Coarse crushing delivers strongest recovery
Across the three crushed feed sizes tested, sink products graded between 66.5% and 66.9% tungsten trioxide.
Indicative recovery improved as the crush size was reduced, rising from 71.2% at below 6.3 millimetres to 77.7% at below 3.35 millimetres and 81.6% at below 1 millimetre.
By comparison, material ground to 80% passing 0.18 millimetres produced a lower sink-product grade of 61% tungsten trioxide and an indicative recovery of 57%.
Right Resources said the result indicated that fine grinding may reduce recovery through a coarse gravity circuit, although flotation or other methods could potentially recover tungsten reporting to the fine fraction.
Managing director Graham Howard said the early results represented an important step in advancing the company’s understanding of Blue.
“The Heavy Liquid Separation testwork indicates that a significant proportion of the tungsten in the tested composite reports to a high-grade sink product at relatively coarse crush sizes,” Howard said.
“This supports evaluation of a gravity-first flowsheet using conventional gravity equipment.”
Further processing work underway
Mineralogical analysis identified scheelite as the principal tungsten-bearing mineral in a quartz-dominant sample.
No carbonate minerals or sulphides were identified at quantifiable levels in the tested aliquot, which the company said could reduce the complexity of future flotation work, subject to confirmation across more representative material.
The sink products have not been classified as saleable concentrates, with further cleanup, mineralogical analysis and marketing assessment required.
Right Resources is continuing flotation tests across two grind sizes, alongside magnetic characterisation and planning for larger-scale validation using conventional gravity equipment.
A more representative sample will also be collected, while a comprehensive metallurgical report is expected during the second half of 2026.
Preparations are continuing for a planned 3,000-metre Geochem drilling program at Blue during the third and fourth quarters of 2026.
About Right Resources
Right Resources is a New South Wales-focused explorer with gold, copper and critical minerals assets covering about 2,459 square kilometres across the Tumbarumba and New England regions.
Its flagship Pilot Project is a high-grade gold target with a history of underground production at around 38 g/t gold and is being advanced through a maiden diamond drilling program in collaboration with the University of Tasmania’s Centre for Ore Deposit and Earth Sciences.
The Blue tungsten discovery adds a critical minerals component to the company’s broader exploration portfolio.