Western Star Resources Inc. (CSE: WSR) (OTC: WSRIF) (FRA: 4K2) 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 over an approximately one-kilometre structural corridor, with a peak of 1,425 parts per million (ppm) tungsten trioxide (WO3) in soil directly over a recently re-discovered zone of historical workings. The company is mobilizing an expanded soil program to commence shortly.
The Phase 1 soil grid comprised 93 samples at nominal 25-meter spacing over the central Rowland workings corridor. Highlights include an exceptional peak of 0.14% WO3 (1,130 ppm W) returned directly over a re-discovered historical working zone. Soils over the main historical workings, termed Rowland Main, returned up to 517 ppm and 504 ppm WO3. The strongest soil anomalies sit on magnetic gradients imaged by the company’s UAV magnetic survey, which correspond to lithological and structural contacts. Tungsten is accompanied by coincident diagnostic W-Cu-Mo-Bi(-Be) skarn metals, including copper up to 1,185 ppm, molybdenum up to 35 ppm, bismuth up to 5.2 ppm, and beryllium up to 4.56 ppm.
Blake Morgan, President and CEO of Western Star, commented: "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. The anomalous soil results provide a baseline to interpret the expanded soil results once they arrive. Crucially, the soils line up with the contacts our UAV magnetics are mapping, which is the strongest possible vector for where to look next."
The property has never been systematically explored in this manner. The encouraging results show tungsten is strongly and discretely anomalous against baseline background values (approximately 2 ppm WO3). Multiple samples exceed 10 ppm, five above 50 ppm, and three above 100 ppm W. The anomalous samples are interpreted to reflect a tungsten-skarn system developed along a carbonate–intrusive contact with potentially mineralized NE-SW structures. The peak value (1,425 ppm WO3 at X-3) is in the central zone, while a second strong cluster (up to 517 ppm WO3) overlies the Rowland Main workings to the south.
Rowland is interpreted as a reduced tungsten (W-Cu-Mo-Bi) skarn, where tungsten-bearing fluids from a Cretaceous granite reacted with Ordovician–Cambrian limestone to deposit scheelite-bearing skarn near the intrusive contact. The Phase 1 soils sit directly on this carbonate host, and the strongest anomalies fall on magnetic gradients. The coincidence of high-grade, polymetallic-metal soils with these interpreted contacts over an approximately one-kilometre area is a powerful exploration vector. Two large target areas have emerged and will be systematically explored, along with property-wide exploratory sampling.
Western Star is mobilizing an expanded soil-sampling program to commence imminently, designed to trace the prospective skarn contacts outward from the known workings and potential mineralisation-controlling faults. Results will be integrated with the UAV magnetic survey and field mapping to generate and prioritise drill targets for a maiden drill program at Rowland.
Soil samples were submitted to ALS, an accredited laboratory, and analysed by method ME-MS41L (aqua-regia digest, 51-element ICP-MS) with gold. Tungsten values are reported in ppm; WO3 is calculated as W × 1.2611. The scientific and technical information has been reviewed and approved by Jasper Mowatt, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.
Western Star Resources is an emerging junior mineral exploration company focused on revitalizing North America's tungsten supply. The Company is advancing its entry into the U.S. market through past-producing tungsten assets and is positioning itself to participate in the growing need for secure domestic critical mineral supply. For more information, visit www.westernstarresources.com.
