Guardian Metal, Montana Mining Association forge US tungsten processing alliance

Guardian Metal Resources has entered a strategic partnership with the Montana Mining Association, Montana Technological University, and the Army Research Laboratory to launch a tungsten mining and recovery pilot program. The initiative involves transporting legacy ore from the Tempiute project in Nevada to Montana for trial processing, aimed at evaluating pathways for commercial production of tungsten metal powder for U.S. defense applications. This collaboration marks a significant step in reshoring the supply chain for tungsten, a critical mineral designated as a strategic priority by the U.S. government.

Guardian Metal Resources will supply between 250 and 400 tonnes of stockpiled legacy ore from its Tempiute tungsten project in Nevada to a processing facility in Philipsburg, Montana. This pilot program, conducted in coordination with the Army Research Laboratory, focuses on upscaling domestic tungsten-rich sources from historical mine tailings and legacy stockpiles. The ultimate goal is to establish a commercial production route for tungsten metal powder, which is vital for high-density, armor-piercing projectiles and other defense-relevant applications required under U.S. Department of Defense contracts.

The Tempiute project, formerly known as the Emerson Tungsten mine, is a skarn-type tungsten-zinc-copper-silver site located approximately 250 miles from Guardian’s Pilot Mountain project. Originally discovered in 1916 and last operated in the 1980s, the site recently saw a major expansion of its mineral rights. In May, Guardian Metal staked 193 additional claims, increasing its footprint by over 375% to encompass what the company believes is the full extent of the project’s historical tailings. This expansion positions the Nevada-based assets as a potential cornerstone for a secure, domestic tungsten supply.

The global tungsten market was valued at approximately $5 billion in 2023, yet the U.S. remains heavily reliant on foreign sources for this strategic metal. Guardian Metal CEO Oliver Friesen emphasized that the selection of Tempiute for this pilot program validates the strategic importance of the company's Nevada portfolio in enhancing national industrial capability. First shipments of the legacy ore are slated for late summer 2026, pending the results of ongoing metallurgical test work at partner laboratories in the U.S. and the U.K., as well as pilot-scale testing on-site in Montana.