Western Star Resources Inc. (CSE: WSR) (OTC: WSRIF) (FRA: 4K2) has defined priority drill targets and outlined a planned six-hole, approximately 3,050-foot (930-metre) drill program at its 100% owned, past-producing Rowland Tungsten Property in Elko County, Nevada. The announcement marks a significant step toward testing high-grade tungsten mineralization identified through an integrated modern dataset, with implications for domestic critical mineral supply at a time when the United States is seeking to reduce reliance on foreign sources of tungsten.
The drill targets were developed by integrating the Company’s 2026 Phase 1 and Phase 2 field programs, a UAV magnetic survey, three-dimensional magnetic inversion, and rock-chip, channel, and soil assay results. This represents the first modern, integrated dataset assembled across the property. Each planned hole tests a tungsten-in-soil anomaly at depth where it coincides with a contact modelled by the magnetic inversion or with the ground beneath historical workings. All four planned drill pads are sited on existing disturbance, minimizing surface impact. The planned holes are preliminary and subject to adjustment pending field verification and permitting.
Two priority targets have been defined: Rowland Main and Northern Zone B. At Rowland Main, four holes totaling 1,850 feet will test a shallow modelled magnetic body beneath a soil anomaly and the bedrock source of soil sample R079, which returned 4,240 ppm W (0.53% WO3), the highest value from the Phase 2 soil program. Rock-chip, float, and channel samples at Rowland Main returned up to 4.02% WO3. The planned drill holes at Rowland Main are illustrated in Figure 2: Rowland Main – plan and cross-section A–A′ through planned holes ROW26-01 to ROW26-03, with modelled magnetic susceptibility and the soil anomaly. A fourth hole, ROW26-04, is designed to test the bedrock source of soil sample R079, as shown in Figure 3: Rowland Main – plan and cross-section B–B′ through planned hole ROW26-04 beneath soil sample R079. At Northern Zone B, two holes totaling 1,200 feet will test beneath historical shafts and ore chute workings, where rock-chip samples returned 0.35% to 1.22% WO3. These holes target the roof of a modelled magnetic body approximately 165 metres below surface, as depicted in Figure 4: Northern Zone B – plan and cross-section C–C′ through planned holes ROW26-05 and ROW26-06. Detailed collar locations and orientations for all planned holes are provided in Table 2: Planned drill hole collar locations and orientations, Rowland Tungsten Property.
Blake Morgan, CEO and President of Western Star, stated, “Rowland has come a long way in a single field season. We started with a historical record that pointed to one past-producing zone, and we are finishing with three zones of confirmed workings, an integrated modern dataset, and a ranked drill target inventory ready for permitting and drill testing. This is exactly the outcome we set out to deliver when we acquired Rowland.” He added that the team will be looking to drill multiple assets over the next few months and move toward bringing a source of tungsten back into the hands of the United States of America.
Permitting is progressing in parallel, with a Plan of Operations being prepared by KC Harvey Environmental for submission to the Mountain City–Ruby Mountains–Jarbidge Ranger District of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, alongside a Nevada Bureau of Mining Regulation and Reclamation reclamation permit. The Company will provide further updates as permitting milestones are reached and the drill program is finalized.
In a separate announcement, Western Star has engaged PanAm Marketing Inc. to provide digital investor awareness and marketing services. The campaign, expected to commence on or about October 15, 2026, and conclude on or about November 15, 2026, includes programmatic digital advertising, content development, and coordination with third-party publishers. The Company has agreed to pay PanAm CAD $60,000 in cash, with no equity-based compensation. This engagement aims to increase market awareness of Western Star’s tungsten exploration activities as it advances its U.S. critical minerals portfolio.
The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Jasper Mowatt, MIMMM and MAusIMM, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. No new assay results are reported, and soil geochemical values are not indicative of grade or mineral resources.
