Western Star Resources Inc. (CSE: WSR) (OTC: WSRIF) (FRA: 4K2) announced that it has engaged KC Harvey Environmental, LLC to lead drill-permitting at its 100% owned, past-producing Rowland Tungsten Property in Elko County, Nevada, and has commenced initial engagement with the Mountain City–Ruby Mountains–Jarbidge Ranger District of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. The move marks a significant step toward advancing the project to drill testing, with the company aiming to position itself for exploration of three confirmed zones of historical tungsten workings.
KC Harvey Environmental, a Bozeman, Montana-based consultancy specializing in mining permitting, reclamation, and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) support, will prepare and submit a Plan of Operations (USDA Forest Service form FS-2800-5) for the proposed Phase 2 drilling program. The firm's mining services are led by founder Kevin Harvey, M.Sc., a board-certified professional soil scientist and current President of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation. The Plan of Operations is the principal authorization required from the U.S. Forest Service to conduct drilling on National Forest System lands.
The company has initiated dialogue with the Jarbidge District Ranger, the relevant U.S. Forest Service authority for the Rowland Property. Permitting work is being advanced in parallel with the ongoing Phase 1 exploration program, with the objective of enabling drill testing without delay. The extensive historical workings already documented at Rowland are expected to support the company's case that the project area is previously disturbed, which is anticipated to streamline the NEPA pathway.
Blake Morgan, CEO and President of Western Star, stated: "Engaging KC Harvey and opening dialogue with the Jarbidge District Ranger is the logical next step for Rowland. With Phase 1 field work confirming a materially larger exploration opportunity than the historical record suggested, our priority is to advance permitting in parallel with exploration so we are positioned to drill test the Rowland targets without delay."
The implications of this announcement are significant for the tungsten market and the mining industry. Tungsten is a critical mineral used in various high-tech and defense applications, and domestic sources are strategically important. The Rowland Property, a past-producing mine, could potentially contribute to reducing reliance on foreign supplies. For the industry, the streamlined permitting approach due to prior disturbance may set a precedent for other brownfield projects on public lands, potentially accelerating exploration timelines. For investors, the parallel advancement of exploration and permitting suggests a more efficient use of capital and a faster path to potential resource delineation.
KC Harvey's scope of work includes preparation of the Plan of Operations, supporting environmental baseline and reclamation planning, and coordination of the NEPA review process with the USFS. The company intends to advance the application in parallel with state-level reclamation permitting and the ongoing Phase 1 and Phase 2 exploration programs at Rowland. Further updates will be provided upon submission of the Plan of Operations and as the permitting review progresses.
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. More information about the company can be found at www.westernstarresources.com.
