Western Star Resources Inc. (CSE: WSR) (OTC: WSRIF) announced it has submitted an application in response to a solicitation from the U.S. Defense Industrial Base Consortium (DIBC) to provide a reliable supply of critical minerals, focusing on tungsten (Wo3). The DIBC, managed by Advanced Technology International (ATI) on behalf of the U.S. Department of War (DoW), issued a new request for project proposal (RPP) in February 2026 targeting strategic critical minerals. The DoW has prioritized identifying supply chain alternatives for defense-critical minerals used in aircraft, missiles, semiconductors, and other defense technologies.
The DIBC aims to expand and diversify the U.S. defense industrial base, enable private-sector businesses to work in partnership with the U.S. government, provide non-dilutive financing for key contractors, and give the government access to commercial solutions for defense requirements. Critical metals are considered essential for the U.S. defense industrial base, and the government is engaged in strategic planning, initiatives, and funding to ensure domestic production capabilities and supply chains.
Blake Morgan, CEO and President of Western Star, stated, “Western Star Resources is pleased to support DIBC initiatives focusing on strategic critical minerals. Our team will be traveling to Washington in May for meetings to discuss our past-producing tungsten asset. We believe this asset offers significant upside and look forward to demonstrating its potential as we approach our maiden drill program in 2026. Additionally, we will provide further updates shortly regarding the recently announced Rowland exploration program.”
In a separate move, Western Star has entered into an investor relations and marketing services agreement with Plutus Invest & Consulting GmbH (Plutus) for a twelve-month term starting May 1, 2026. Plutus will provide consultation on advertorial marketing and public relations strategies, and design and implement an advertisement-based investor awareness campaign focused on the European investment market. The campaign will utilize financial-news portals, investor newsletters, social-media platforms like X, LinkedIn, YouTube, Reddit, Telegram, paid digital advertising networks, and sponsored articles and video interviews on investor-relations portals. Western Star will pay Plutus a fee of €200,000 upon commencement. The agreement is arm’s length, and Plutus is based in Bremen, Germany.
Additionally, Western Star announced a non-brokered private placement of 833,333 flow-through common shares at $0.60 per share for gross proceeds of $500,000. The proceeds will fund eligible Canadian exploration expenses related to the Western Star Project and qualify for the critical mineral tax credit. The offering is subject to CSE approval, and shares will have a four-month-and-one-day hold period.
These developments underscore Western Star’s strategy to position itself as a key supplier of tungsten for U.S. defense needs while expanding its investor base in Europe. The company’s past-producing Rowland tungsten asset in Nevada and its Western Star property in British Columbia are central to its plans.
