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 in soil over an approximately one-kilometre structural corridor, highlighted by a peak of 1,425 parts per million (ppm) tungsten trioxide (WO3), equivalent to 0.14% WO3, directly over a recently re-discovered zone of historical workings.
The soil sampling program comprised 93 samples at 25-meter spacing over the central Rowland workings corridor. This is the first known soil geochemistry survey completed by a public company at the property. Results showed strong tungsten anomalism against background values of approximately 2 ppm WO3, with multiple samples exceeding 10 ppm, five above 50 ppm, and three above 100 ppm W. The peak value at the X-3 site in the central zone was accompanied by elevated 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: "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 anomalous soils coincide with magnetic gradients identified by the Company's UAV magnetic survey, which are interpreted as lithological and structural contacts associated with the skarn horizon. The strongest anomalies sit on these gradients, validating the targeting model. Two large target areas have emerged: the central zone with historical workings and the Rowland Main zone to the south. The company is mobilising an expanded multi-stage soil campaign to extend these zones and explore untested ground for potential new discoveries.
The Rowland property 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 at the intrusive contact. The Phase 1 soils sit directly on this carbonate host rock, and the coincidence of high-grade polymetallic soils with interpreted contacts over a one-kilometre area provides a powerful exploration vector.
Western Star is now mobilising an expanded soil-sampling program to trace prospective skarn contacts outward from known workings and along potentially mineralised structures. Results will be integrated with the UAV magnetic survey and field mapping to generate and prioritise drill targets for a maiden drill program. Soil samples were analysed by ALS using aqua regia digest and ICP-MS, with tungsten values reported in ppm and WO3 calculated as W × 1.2611.
The scientific and technical information in this release was reviewed and approved by Jasper Mowatt, a Qualified Person under NI 43-101. Western Star Resources is an emerging junior mineral exploration company focused on revitalizing North America's tungsten supply through past-producing assets in historically important mining districts.
