Western Star Resources Inc. (CSE: WSR) (OTC: WSRIF) announced it has submitted an application in response to a solicitation from the U.S. Defense Industrial Base Consortium (DIBC) to provide a reliable supply of critical minerals, with a focus on Tungsten (Wo3). The DIBC, managed by Advanced Technology International on behalf of the U.S. Department of War, issued a new request for project proposal in February 2026 targeting strategic critical minerals. The Department of War has prioritized identifying supply chain alternatives for defense-critical minerals used in aircraft, missiles, semiconductors, and other defense technologies.
The DIBC aims to expand and diversify the U.S. defense industrial base, enable private-sector partnerships with the U.S. government, provide non-dilutive financing for key contractors, and grant the government access to commercial solutions for defense requirements. Critical metals are considered essential for the U.S. defense industrial base, and the government is engaged in strategic planning, initiatives, and funding to ensure domestic production capabilities.
Blake Morgan, CEO and President of Western Star, stated, “Western Star Resources is pleased to support DIBC initiatives focusing on strategic critical minerals. Our team will be traveling to Washington in May for meetings to discuss our past-producing tungsten asset. We believe this asset offers significant upside and look forward to demonstrating its potential as we approach our maiden drill program in 2026. Additionally, we will provide further updates shortly regarding the recently announced Rowland exploration program.”
The Company also announced it has entered into an investor relations and marketing services agreement with Plutus Invest & Consulting GmbH. Under the agreement, Plutus will provide services for a twelve-month term starting May 1, 2026, including consultation on advertorial marketing and public relations strategies, and designing an advertisement-based investor awareness campaign focused on the European investment market. This campaign will utilize financial-news portals, investor newsletters, social-media platforms like X, LinkedIn, YouTube, Reddit, Telegram, paid digital advertising networks, and sponsored articles and video interviews on investor-relations portals. Western Star will pay Plutus a fee of Euro 200,000 upon commencement. The agreement was negotiated at arm’s length and will end April 30, 2027.
Additionally, Western Star announced a non-brokered private placement of 833,333 flow-through common shares at $0.60 per share for gross proceeds of $500,000. The proceeds will fund eligible Canadian exploration expenses related to the Western Star Project and qualify for the critical mineral tax credit. The FT Shares will be subject to a four-month-and-one-day hold period, and the offering is subject to CSE approval.
This news matters because it positions Western Star to potentially become a domestic supplier of tungsten, a critical mineral for U.S. defense technologies, amid efforts to reduce reliance on foreign sources. The engagement of Plutus aims to increase European investor awareness, potentially broadening the company's shareholder base. The flow-through financing supports exploration activities that could advance the company's projects and contribute to the critical minerals supply chain.
