Western Star Resources Inc. (CSE: WSR) (OTC: WSRIF) (FRA: 4K2) announced it has engaged KC Harvey Environmental, LLC to lead the drill-permitting process at its 100% owned, past-producing Rowland Tungsten Property in Elko County, Nevada. The company has also commenced initial engagement with the Mountain City–Ruby Mountains–Jarbidge Ranger District of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in support of a Plan of Operations submission.
KC Harvey, a Bozeman, Montana-based environmental consultancy specializing in mining permitting, reclamation, and NEPA support, will prepare and submit a Plan of Operations (USDA Forest Service form FS-2800-5) covering the company's proposed Phase 2 drilling program at Rowland. The firm will also support the associated National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review process. The consultancy's mining services are led by founder Kevin Harvey, M.Sc., a board-certified professional soil scientist and current President of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation.
Key highlights of the engagement include the preparation of the Plan of Operations for submission to the U.S. Forest Service, initial engagement with the Jarbidge District Ranger, and advancing permitting work in parallel with the ongoing Phase 1 exploration program. The objective is to position the project for drill testing of three confirmed zones of historical tungsten workings. The extensive historical workings already documented at Rowland are expected to support the company's case that the project area is previously disturbed, which is anticipated to streamline the NEPA pathway.
Blake Morgan, CEO and President of Western Star, stated, "Engaging KC Harvey and opening dialogue with the Jarbidge District Ranger is the logical next step for Rowland. With Phase 1 field work confirming a materially larger exploration opportunity than the historical record suggested, our priority is to advance permitting in parallel with exploration so we are positioned to drill test the Rowland targets without delay."
The Plan of Operations is the principal authorization required from the U.S. Forest Service to conduct drilling on National Forest System lands. KC Harvey's scope of work includes preparation of the Plan of Operations, supporting environmental baseline and reclamation planning, and coordination of the NEPA review process with USFS. The company intends to advance the application in parallel with state-level reclamation permitting and the ongoing Phase 1 and Phase 2 exploration programs at Rowland, and will provide further updates upon submission of the Plan of Operations and as the permitting review progresses.
The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Jasper Mowatt, MIMMM (Membership No. 0486653) and MAusIMM (Membership No. 3178851), a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.