Western Star Resources Inc. (CSE: WSR) (OTC: WSRIF) (FRA: 4K2) has released the results of a district-scale three-dimensional geophysical inversion across its Rowland and White Star tungsten properties in Elko County, Nevada. The modelling has defined buried and partially exposed intrusive bodies and refined the fault network interpreted to channel mineralising fluids into the tungsten skarn system. Importantly, the company's highest-grade rock chips—4.02% WO3 at Rowland and 3.00% WO3 at White Star—both correspond spatially with the contact between modelled intrusive rocks and the carbonate host. The modelled intrusive framework extends well beyond the limits of mapped outcrop, opening substantial new search space across both properties.
Blake Morgan, CEO and President of Western Star, said, "This is the result we were hoping for. The inversion has modelled intrusive bodies spatially associated with areas where we sampled high grade tungsten values, and it has mapped the faults that we believe carried the fluid there. That is the tungsten skarn recipe, and we can now see it in three dimensions across the whole district. Better still, the modelled intrusives are more extensive than has been previously mapped, which means the ground that has produced our best rock chips continues into untested areas. Soil geochemistry from Phase 2 is due back shortly and we can use these in our drill hole planning."
The inversion, completed by Warren Hughes, P.Geo., of East Coast Consulting, defines buried and partially exposed intrusive bodies across the district. Approximately 25 kilometres of structure has been interpreted in two dominant orientations: north-east–south-west and north-west–south-east. These are interpreted as the fluid conduits that fed the skarn and represent the first structural framework mapped at property scale in this district. The modelled magnetic domains correspond closely with the units mapped by Coats (1964), adding depth and continuity to that mapping. The inversion also resolves geology beneath the extensive Quaternary cover on the eastern flank of the district, providing an exploration vector into ground that cannot be mapped or sampled at surface.
The tungsten skarn model requires three elements: an intrusion to drive the system, reactive carbonate rock to host replacement, and structures to focus fluid. Both properties fit this model, with Coats (1964) mapping a quartz monzonite intrusion, a Palaeozoic carbonate sequence, and skarn at the contact. The highest-grade samples sit directly on the modelled intrusive contact. At Rowland, the sample returning 4.02% WO3 is on the mapped tactite where it abuts the modelled intrusive body; at White Star, the 3.00% WO3 sample occupies the same position on a separate intrusive body. Both are within or immediately adjacent to interpreted structural corridors.
The modelled intrusive extends considerably beyond mapped outcrop, enlarging the search space. Soil geochemical results from the Phase 2 programme are expected shortly and will be integrated with the inversion model, structural framework, and geological mapping to define and rank drill targets. The company has also satisfied the first performance milestone under the option agreement for the Rowland project, requiring a 30% increase in claim area and identification of at least three rock-chip samples grading above 2.0% WO3. Both conditions were met, with the claim area increased by approximately 165% and four samples exceeding the grade threshold. Consequently, the company will issue 500,000 common shares to the vendors, valued at the 10-day volume-weighted average price preceding the verification date, subject to Canadian Securities Exchange policies.
The scientific and technical information has been reviewed and approved by Jasper Mowatt, MIMMM, MAusIMM, a consultant to the company and a Qualified Person under NI 43-101. The UAV magnetic survey was conducted by AJ Mining LLC using a DJI Matrice M300 platform carrying a GSMP-35U v8.0 potassium vapour magnetometer at a nominal sensor height of 70 metres. Approximately 110 line-kilometres were processed over about 3,000 acres. Processing, levelling, gridding, three-dimensional inversion, and interpretation were completed using Geosoft Oasis Montaj and the MAG3D algorithm.
