Western Star Resources Acquires Nevada Tungsten Project Amid U.S. Critical Minerals Push
Western Star Resources' acquisition of the past-producing Rowland tungsten project in Nevada positions the company to potentially help rebuild domestic supply chains for a mineral critical to national security, with the U.S. currently dependent on imports for 85% of its tungsten needs.
Western Star Resources Inc. has entered into an agreement to acquire the past-producing Rowland Project, a tungsten property located in Nevada's Jarbidge mining district. The acquisition comes at a time when the United States lacks domestic commercial tungsten production and relies heavily on imports, with approximately 85% of global supply controlled by China.
The Rowland Property represents a strategic asset for Western Star, featuring high-grade tungsten mineralization with historical values of 3.38% WO₃ reported. The project includes mine workings consisting of two shallow shafts and several hundred feet of open cuts, with scheelite occurring as coarse crystals and finely disseminated with other minerals in a garnet, epidote, quartz, and calcite skarn. Historical production includes 4.5 tons of ore containing 3.38 percent WO₃ shipped in 1943 and approximately 1,000 tons of ore containing 0.5 to 1.0 percent WO₃ produced during 1954-56.
"Securing a domestic source of tungsten is not just a business opportunity, it's a matter of national importance," said Blake Morgan, CEO of Western Star. "The acquisition of the Past Producing Rowland Property aligns perfectly with Western Star's mission to deliver value to shareholders while supporting U.S. government priorities to strengthen domestic supply chains for critical minerals."
The transaction involves total consideration of CAD $60,000 and 1,000,000 common shares of Western Star Resources Inc., payable in stages. The agreement also includes deferred milestone consideration tied to performance targets, including share issuements for expanding claim areas, identifying high-grade samples, and achieving specific drilling results. The vendors will retain a 1.5% Net Smelter Return Royalty on the Property, with Western Star having the right to buy back 1.0% for CAD $1,000,000.
The property's significance extends beyond its mineral potential, aligning with recent U.S. government directives to secure domestic tungsten supply. Tungsten is classified as critical to national security due to its indispensable role in defense, aerospace, energy, and semiconductor industries. Recent Executive Orders prioritize fast-tracking domestic tungsten projects, with federal grants and defense-sector support available for qualifying assets.
Western Star plans immediate exploration activities, including geophysics, channel sampling, and mapping, with the goal of reaching drill-ready status for a maiden program early next year. The company views the project as complementary to its flagship drill-permitted green metals project in Canada while positioning it at the forefront of U.S. efforts to rebuild domestic critical mineral supply chains. The project's location in the historical Jarbidge mining district, approximately 6 miles southwest of Jarbidge, provides road accessibility and established mining infrastructure.