Vault Strategic plans UAV magnetic survey at Nevada tungsten site

Vault Strategic Mining Corp. is launching a high-resolution, UAV-based magnetic survey at its War Bond Tungsten Project in western Nevada, aiming to refine geological models and identify future drill targets. This strategic move, leveraging cutting-edge drone technology and historical data, signifies the company's methodical approach to developing a compelling historical tungsten asset within a premier mining jurisdiction. The initiative reinforces Vault Strategic's broader focus on advancing its critical mineral portfolio, highlighted by recent tungsten project acquisitions in California and Quebec.

Vault Strategic Mining Advances Nevada Tungsten Project with High-Resolution UAV Magnetic Survey

RENO, NV – July 13, 2026 – Vault Strategic Mining Corp. has announced definitive plans to conduct a high-resolution unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based magnetic survey across its War Bond Tungsten Project, strategically located in western Nevada, a jurisdiction renowned for its mineral wealth. This sophisticated geophysical program aims to significantly enhance the understanding of the project's subsurface geology, ultimately guiding the delineation of priority drill targets for tungsten mineralization.

The upcoming "Drone-Mag" survey represents a critical step in Vault Strategic's methodical exploration strategy for the War Bond Project. The company has engaged Pioneer Exploration Consultants, a firm known for its expertise in airborne geophysical surveys, to deliver this advanced program. This initiative underscores the increasing adoption of drone technology within the mining sector, reflecting a shift towards more efficient, safer, and data-rich exploration methodologies.

A Deep Dive into the War Bond Tungsten Project

The War Bond Tungsten Project is situated in the historically significant Delaware Mining District of western Nevada. It encompasses 20 unpatented lode mining claims, covering an area of approximately 400 acres. Crucially, the project incorporates the sites of several historical operations, including the War Bond, Tactite, and Thursday mine sites, which collectively offer a rich legacy of tungsten exploration and production.

Historically, the region has been recognized for tungsten mineralization associated with scheelite-bearing tactite or skarn deposits, typically found near the geological contacts between granite intrusions and limestone host rocks. This geological setting is particularly favorable for the formation of tungsten deposits, which often occur as disseminated minerals or in vein structures within these altered zones.

Past sampling efforts at the War Bond site, documented in records from the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology and Western Mining History, yielded promising results. Selected samples showcased exceptional grades, with some reaching up to 14.4% tungsten trioxide (WO₃). Further samples returned grades ranging from 0.25% to 0.9% WO₃, indicating consistent mineralization across certain areas of the project. It is important to note, however, that this historical exploration data was collected prior to current regulatory reporting standards, such as those mandated by National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101). As such, Vault Strategic Mining has appropriately cautioned that these historical figures should not be relied upon for current resource estimates or economic evaluations. The company has explicitly stated that confirming any historical results will necessitate new drilling campaigns, updated metallurgical studies, and comprehensive evaluations compliant with NI 43-101, with no assurance that previous findings will be validated.

Precision Geophysical Surveying with Advanced UAV Technology

The planned Drone-Mag survey is engineered to provide an unprecedented level of detail regarding the subsurface characteristics of the War Bond Project. The program will cover approximately 70 kilometers of flight lines, spaced at narrow 25-meter intervals, which will be supplemented by 250-meter tie lines. This dense flight pattern is designed to generate a high-resolution geophysical dataset, crucial for identifying subtle geological features that might indicate mineralization.

The survey will employ state-of-the-art equipment to ensure accuracy and data quality. Key components include:

The Blacksquare Hercules drone platform, a robust and reliable UAV system capable of carrying specialized geophysical payloads.
A GEM Systems GSMP-35U potassium vapour magnetometer, known for its extremely high sensitivity and accuracy in detecting variations in the Earth's magnetic field. These variations can indicate the presence of certain minerals, altered rock types, or structural features.
GEM Systems GSM-19 Overhauser base stations, which will be strategically positioned on the ground to record diurnal variations in the magnetic field, allowing for precise corrections to the airborne data and ensuring the highest possible data integrity.

In a further commitment to accuracy and operational safety, Vault Strategic Mining will integrate publicly available Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data. This LiDAR imagery will be used to create detailed digital elevation models and surface models of the project area. These models are crucial for enhancing flight safety by identifying terrain obstacles and informing precise flight path planning. Furthermore, they contribute to data accuracy by enabling more precise positioning and geological context for the geophysical measurements.

The tangible deliverables from this comprehensive survey will include a detailed logistics report outlining the survey methodology and execution, a suite of processed magnetic maps illustrating various geophysical anomalies, and a micro-levelled magnetic dataset. These outputs will form the foundational dataset for advanced geological interpretation and target generation.

Strategic Imperative: Delineating Drill-Ready Targets

The primary objective of this intensive UAV magnetic survey is multi-faceted. It aims to:

Refine geological models: The high-resolution magnetic data will allow geologists to better define the subsurface rock units and their distribution.
Map structural features: Magnetic data is highly effective at identifying faults, folds, and other structural controls that often play a critical role in localizing mineral deposits.
Identify potential tungsten-related targets: By integrating the new magnetic data with existing geological mapping, sampling results, and historical mine workings, Vault Strategic expects to pinpoint specific areas with high potential for significant tungsten mineralization, making them prime candidates for future drilling.

Quinn Field-Dyte, CEO of Vault Strategic Mining, articulated the company’s vision and strategic approach: "War Bond represents a compelling historical tungsten project in one of the world's top mining jurisdictions, and our objective is to move aggressively but methodically toward drill-ready targets." He further emphasized the survey's role, stating, "This planned Drone-Mag survey is designed to give us a higher-resolution subsurface dataset that can be integrated with mapping, sampling, historical workings and structural interpretation. The goal is clear: delineate priority targets and build a disciplined drill programme."

Broader Strategic Context and Market Implications

Tungsten is classified as a critical mineral due to its indispensable role in various high-tech and industrial applications. Its exceptional hardness, high melting point, and excellent tensile strength make it vital for manufacturing hard metals, cutting tools, specialized alloys, electrical contacts, and components for defense and aerospace industries. Global demand for tungsten is steadily increasing, driven by industrialization, technological advancements, and geopolitical considerations regarding supply chain security.

Nevada’s reputation as "one of the world's top mining jurisdictions" further enhances the appeal of the War Bond Project. The state offers a favorable regulatory environment, extensive mining infrastructure, a skilled workforce, and proven geological potential for a wide array of minerals. Operating in such a jurisdiction reduces many of the inherent risks associated with early-stage exploration and project development.

Vault Strategic Mining's focus on tungsten is not confined to Nevada. In May of this year, the company demonstrated its expanding commitment to this critical metal by signing a definitive mineral property purchase agreement. This agreement secured full ownership of the Mirage-Mariposa Tungsten Mine, part of the Gray Eagle Project in California, and the North Tungsten Project in Nunavik, Quebec. These acquisitions, combined with the strategic development of the War Bond Project, clearly position Vault Strategic Mining as an emerging player in the North American tungsten sector.

Future Outlook: From Data to Discovery

The successful completion and interpretation of the Drone-Mag survey will be a pivotal moment for the War Bond Tungsten Project. The micro-levelled magnetic dataset, once integrated with all available geological information, will serve as the scientific foundation for designing a targeted and efficient drill program. This data-driven approach is critical for mitigating exploration risk and optimizing capital expenditure.

Ultimately, Vault Strategic Mining's objective is to systematically de-risk the War Bond Project, confirm the extent and grade of its tungsten mineralization, and ultimately establish NI 43-101 compliant resources. The planned UAV magnetic survey is a significant step on this path, leveraging modern technology to unlock the potential of a historically compelling tungsten asset in a premier mining jurisdiction.