Western Star Seeks DIBC Approval with €200K IR Mandate as Tungsten Prices Rally 350%
Western Star Resources applied to the U.S. Defense Industrial Base Consortium for its past-producing Rowland tungsten asset as benchmark prices reached US$3,185 per tonne, up 350% year-to-date and 900% over twelve months. It also secured a €200,000 European investor-relations mandate and plans a maiden Rowland drill program in 2026.
1. Defense Consortium Application
On May 1, 2026, Western Star Resources submitted its proposal to the U.S. Defense Industrial Base Consortium targeting tungsten supply from the past-producing Rowland property. This move leverages the upcoming January 1, 2027 DFARS 252.225-7052 procurement restrictions on Chinese and other foreign-sourced tungsten to secure U.S. defense contracts.
2. Rowland Property and Drill Program
The Rowland asset in Nevada produced 4.5 tons of ore at 3.38% WO₃ in 1943 and roughly 1,000 tons at 0.5–1.0% WO₃ between 1954–56. Historical LiDAR mapping identified 17 open pits and adits, with mineralization traced over two kilometres; a maiden drill program is slated for spring 2026 under streamlined permitting as a brownfield project.
3. European Investor-Relations Mandate
Concurrent with the DIBC filing, Western Star executed a twelve-month investor-relations and marketing agreement with Plutus Invest & Consulting GmbH for €200,000. The mandate, running through April 30, 2027, will deploy targeted advertorials, digital campaigns and sponsored content to raise awareness among European critical minerals investors.