Western Star Resources Inc. (CSE: WSR) (OTC: WSRIF) (FRA: 4K2) has taken a significant step toward advancing its Rowland Tungsten Property in Elko County, Nevada, by engaging KC Harvey Environmental, LLC to lead the drill-permitting process. The company announced Monday that it has commenced initial engagement with the Mountain City–Ruby Mountains–Jarbidge Ranger District of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in support of a Plan of Operations submission.
KC Harvey Environmental, based in Bozeman, Montana, is a consultancy specializing in mining permitting, reclamation, and NEPA support across the western United States. The firm’s mining services are led by founder Kevin Harvey, M.Sc., a board-certified professional soil scientist and current President of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation. KC Harvey has been tasked with preparing and submitting a Plan of Operations (USDA Forest Service form FS-2800-5, under 36 CFR 228A) for the company’s proposed Phase 2 drilling program at Rowland, and to support the associated National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review process.
The Plan of Operations is the principal authorization required from the U.S. Forest Service to conduct drilling on National Forest System lands. KC Harvey’s scope includes preparation of the Plan, supporting environmental baseline and reclamation planning, and coordination of the NEPA review with USFS. The company intends to advance the application in parallel with state-level reclamation permitting and the ongoing Phase 1 and Phase 2 exploration programs at Rowland.
Blake Morgan, CEO and President of Western Star, stated, “Engaging KC Harvey and opening dialogue with the Jarbidge District Ranger is the logical next step for Rowland. With Phase 1 field work confirming a materially larger exploration opportunity than the historical record suggested, our priority is to advance permitting in parallel with exploration so we are positioned to drill test the Rowland targets without delay.”
A key factor expected to streamline the permitting process is the extensive historical workings already documented at Rowland. The company believes the project area is previously disturbed, which is anticipated to ease the NEPA pathway. The Rowland Property is a past-producing tungsten mine, and Western Star’s Phase 1 exploration program has confirmed three zones of historical tungsten workings that the company aims to drill test.
The engagement of KC Harvey and the initiation of the permitting process mark a critical milestone for Western Star as it seeks to advance the Rowland project. The company is focused on positioning itself to drill test the confirmed zones without delay, leveraging the existing disturbance to potentially accelerate environmental review. The scientific and technical information in this release has been reviewed and approved by Jasper Mowatt, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.
Western Star Resources is a mineral exploration and development company that owns nine mineral claims totaling 4,740 hectares in British Columbia, in addition to the Rowland Property. The company’s objective is to increase shareholder value through cost-effective exploration and potential partnerships.
