Western Star Resources Inc. (CSE: WSR) (OTC: WSRIF) (FRA: 4K2) has engaged KC Harvey Environmental, LLC to lead drill-permitting at the company's 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, under 36 CFR 228A) covering the 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.
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 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.
Key highlights of the announcement include: Western Star has engaged KC Harvey Environmental as its permitting consultant; KC Harvey has commenced preparation of a Plan of Operations for submission to the U.S. Forest Service; the company has initiated engagement with the Jarbidge District Ranger; permitting work is being advanced in parallel with ongoing Phase 1 exploration; and extensive historical workings 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.
The scientific and technical information in this release has been reviewed and approved by Jasper Mowatt, MIMMM and MAusIMM, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.
Western Star Resources is a mineral exploration and development company. The company currently owns nine non-surveyed contiguous mineral claims totaling 4,740 hectares in British Columbia. For more information, visit www.westernstarresources.com.
