Western Star Resources has started its first exploration and drill-planning programme at the Eagle Point Tungsten Project in Hidalgo County, New Mexico, US.
The initiative aims to collect data for refining geological models and identifying future drilling sites on the past-producing property.
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The exploration is being conducted by Dahrouge Geological Consulting, which will carry out detailed geological and structural mapping, systematic channel and grab sampling, and validation of existing project data.
This programme also includes assessing outlying areas around proposed drill targets to identify opportunities for expanding exploration.
Eagle Point comprises 24 lode mining claims in the Little Hatchet mining district.
According to historical records, approximately 1,800 tonnes of scheelite-bearing material were extracted at the site and delivered to the US government stockpile at Deming in 1943 and 1944.
The US government had previously prepared a contract to co-fund additional exploration, but the agreement was never implemented and the planned programme did not proceed.
Recent sampling by the United States Geological Survey and New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources has returned high-grade tungsten values from surface samples, including one outcrop composite grading 27.6% tungsten trioxide with 0.98% molybdenum.
Other samples from the programme showed tungsten grades consistent with material historically shipped from the site, but these were selective samples and may not represent average grades.
Most historical exploration at Eagle Point was conducted at surface, with only limited shallow drilling in the main open-cut area.
The current programme will integrate new mapping and sampling data with historical information, targeting completion of the field portion by September 2026.
Western Star Resources president and CEO Blake Morgan said: “This is the programme we have been eager to commence since acquiring Eagle Point. We are moving from historical records and exceptional surface indications to boots on the ground, systematic modern exploration and the identification and validation of drill locations.
“Eagle Point has a combination that is increasingly difficult to find in the US: documented historical tungsten production, multiple mineralised skarn bodies exposed at surface, significant historical US Government involvement and modern government sampling that has confirmed very high-grade tungsten mineralisation at surface.”
