Western Star Resources Inc. (CSE: WSR) (OTC: WSRIF) has reported results from its Phase 1 soil-geochemistry program at the past-producing Rowland Tungsten Property in Elko County, Nevada. The program confirmed a coherent, multi-element tungsten-skarn signature in soil over an approximately one-kilometre structural corridor, highlighted by a peak of 1,425 parts per million (ppm) tungsten trioxide (WO3) in soil, equivalent to 0.14% WO3. This result came from the area of recently re-discovered historical workings.
The soil sampling, which the company believes is the first ever conducted by a public company at Rowland, returned strong anomalies over the main historical workings, with values up to 517 ppm and 504 ppm WO3. The anomalies coincide with magnetic gradients imaged by the company’s UAV magnetic survey, indicating lithological and structural contacts. The results also showed elevated levels of copper (up to 1,185 ppm), molybdenum (up to 35 ppm), bismuth (up to 5.2 ppm), and beryllium (up to 4.56 ppm), confirming a polymetallic skarn signature.
Blake Morgan, President and CEO of Western Star, commented on the significance of the results: “As far as we are aware, this is the first ever soil geochemistry survey completed by a public company at Rowland, and returning a high value result of 0.14% WO3 is an excellent start.” He noted that the soils line up with contacts mapped by UAV magnetics, providing a strong vector for further exploration. The company is mobilising an expanded soil program to extend known zones and explore untested ground.
The Phase 1 grid comprised 93 soil samples at 25-meter spacing over the central Rowland workings corridor. The results showed tungsten strongly anomalous against baseline background values of approximately 2 ppm WO3, with multiple samples exceeding 10 ppm, five above 50 ppm, and three above 100 ppm W. The anomalies are interpreted to reflect a tungsten-skarn system developed along a carbonate–intrusive contact with potentially mineralised NE-SW structures.
The company has identified two large target areas for systematic exploration. The expanded soil-sampling program will integrate with UAV magnetic survey and field mapping to generate and prioritise drill targets for a maiden drill program at Rowland. This development is important for the critical minerals sector, as tungsten is classified as a critical mineral in the U.S., and domestic supply is limited. Western Star is positioning itself to contribute to secure domestic supply.
For more information, visit www.westernstarresources.com.
