Rotterdam ammonium paratungstate (APT) serves as the benchmark for tungsten pricing, currently at US$3,185 per MTU. This reflects a 350% year-to-date increase and a 900% rise over the past 12 months as China restricts exports to 15 firms and the U.S. prepares to ban non-domestic tungsten for defense use on January 1, 2027, creating urgent demand for alternative supplies.

Western Star Resources has submitted a proposal to the Defense Industrial Base Consortium, seeking to position its past-producing Rowland tungsten asset in Nevada as a secure supply source for U.S. defense applications. The company’s CEO highlighted upcoming meetings in Washington and a planned maiden drill program in 2026 to demonstrate the project’s near-term development potential.

To support exploration, Western Star announced a non-brokered private placement of 833,333 flow-through common shares at C$0.60 each for gross proceeds of C$500,000, qualifying for the Canadian critical mineral tax credit. The company also entered a €200,000, 12-month marketing services agreement with Plutus Invest & Consulting to build European investor awareness through digital campaigns and sponsored content.