Published: July 8, 2025 |

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Guardian Metal Resources has obtained new claims that hold a trio of past producing tungsten mines from the Second World War era: Copper Head, Jasper, and Western Metals. They reside a short distance from the company’s flagship mining project — south of Reno, Nevada.

Announced on Monday, the claims collectively form the Pilot North tungsten-copper project — 15 kilometers north of the more advanced Pilot Mountain operation. Guardian claims that Pilot Mountain holds the number one undeveloped tungsten deposit in the country. It has 34.3 kilotons of contained tungsten metal and significant quantities of silver and zinc, according to the most recent mineral resource estimate.

“Following the identification of new targets through our regional exploration program, we moved quickly to stake 100 percent owned claims to form the Pilot North Project which has highly prospective geology and a history of production,” said Chief Executive, Oliver Friesen.

An expert geological consultant will be on-site within the next couple weeks to conduct sampling and mapping work while formulating a game plan for the new tungsten asset. Meanwhile, multiple rock samples are currently being examined at a lab in Reno.

The news comes as the price of the critical mineral is sitting at a 12-year high, largely driven by China’s recently implemented export controls. Additionally, the copper market has been looking appealing this year as well.

A 1-kilogram tungsten bar currently costs $53.89, according to the Shanghai Metals Market. A metric ton unit, meaning 10 kilograms of tungsten trioxide (WO₃) — a common measurement used in the industry — is going for a high price of $450.

The Copper Continuous Contract has risen by more than 24 percent year-to-date. Copper hit an all-time high in late March at $5.22 before sliding back down to its current price of $5.02 per pound.

NEVADA’S CRITICAL MINERALS PULL THE SPOTLIGHT

The Chinese shuttering their supply of tungsten has made Pilot Mountain and the newly staked neighboring project become appealing for U.S. national security. China has historically produced 80 percent of the global supply.

It has also become one of the most highly promising regions for antimony mining. The price of this critical mineral has skyrocketed in recent months, also largely due to the Chinese tightening the grip on their monopoly.

Other junior mining companies like NevGold and Xtra Energy have been ramping up their antimony exploration campaigns to try and capitalize on the increasing rate of government intrigue. Xtra Energy just started road construction at the American Antimony Project in Churchill County.

“Recent executive orders from the Trump administration underscore a strategic push to reshore critical metal supply chains, particularly tungsten, given its importance to the defense sector and United States’ national security,” Friesen highlighted at the end of May.

Nevada and Arizona are the most abundant mining jurisdictions in the United States when it comes to strategic minerals and precious metals.

Source: Mugglehead Magazine

Guardian Metal Resources is a Nevada focused tungsten exploration and development company which owns the co-flagship Pilot Mountain and Tempiute tungsten Projects. In light of the current tariff landscape and recent Chinese export restrictions covering tungsten, Guardian Metal is poised to contribute to the U.S.’s efforts to re-establishing a stable and dependable domestic mined supply of this critical mineral. The company’s dedication to responsible mining practices, along with its strategically located projects in mining-friendly Nevada, enhances its potential to play a pivotal role in the U.S. tungsten supply chain.

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