Western Star Resources Inc. (CSE: WSR) (OTC: WSRIF) (FRA: 4K2) announced results from a high-resolution UAV magnetic geophysical survey completed across its Rowland Tungsten Property in Elko County, Nevada. The survey, the first modern high-resolution geophysical dataset acquired on the property, was designed to improve the company’s understanding of structural controls on mineralization and refine geological interpretations to prioritize follow-up exploration targets.
Data processing yielded Total Magnetic Intensity (TMI), First Vertical Derivative (1VD), Second Vertical Derivative (2VD), and Analytical Signal (AS) products. Interpretation identified several northeast-southwest trending magnetic lineaments, interpreted as possible fault structures and fluid pathways. Historical workings and Phase 1 target zones appear spatially associated with refined intrusive-carbonate contacts and prospective skarn horizons. Notably, a magnetic-high domain adjacent to a magnetic-low domain immediately south of the historical Rowland zone represents untested features that may indicate extensions of the prospective skarn horizon.
Blake Morgan, CEO and President of Western Star, stated, “The results of the high-resolution magnetic survey represent an important step in building the first modern exploration dataset at Rowland. The survey has highlighted multiple structural features and magnetic domains that appear to be associated with historical workings and interpreted skarn horizons.” The company plans to integrate these results with pending Phase 1 soil geochemistry to support design of a Phase 2 exploration program and refine potential drill targets.
The Rowland area has limited high-resolution public geophysical coverage, and no previous operator is known to have completed a modern UAV magnetic survey. Existing geological maps provide limited detail on structural architecture. The drone survey has significantly improved the ability to interpret the structural and geological setting. Preliminary interpretation indicates that multiple northeast-southwest trending linear features may represent fault or fracture zones that acted as pathways for hydrothermal fluids associated with tungsten-bearing skarn mineralization.
Several areas of historical activity coincide with interpreted intrusive-carbonate contacts and magnetic lineaments, an encouraging relationship as tungsten skarn systems commonly develop where mineralizing fluids interact with reactive carbonate host rocks adjacent to intrusive bodies. The survey also suggests the mapped intrusive system may be more extensive than previously recognized, potentially extending the prospective intrusive-carbonate contact zone beyond historically worked areas. The magnetic-high and adjacent magnetic-low domains south of the historical Rowland zone present untested geophysical features to be evaluated in Phase 2.
Geophysics will be integrated with Phase 1 assay results expected in the coming weeks to define the priority drill target inventory and inform Phase 2 exploration. Comprehensive QA/QC protocols were applied during data collection, and final data processing and gridding were performed using Geosoft Oasis Montaj by Warren Hughes at East Coast Consulting. Diurnal corrections, lag and heading bias corrections were applied, and derivative products were computed from corrected TMI data. Grids were generated using the minimum curvature method with a cell size of approximately one-third of flight line spacing.
Jasper Mowatt, MIMMM and MAusIMM, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this release. The company is an emerging junior mineral exploration company focused on revitalizing North America's tungsten supply, advancing its entry into the U.S. market through the acquisition of a past-producing tungsten mine in Nevada.
