American West Metals has reported a substantial expansion of its Storm Copper Project resources in Canada alongside promising critical metals discoveries at its West Desert Project in Utah, underpinning its strategic growth and US market engagement.
- Storm Copper Project resource increased by 20% copper and 36% silver
- Discovery of major new copper anomaly at Chevron Prospect
- High-grade indium and gallium confirmed at West Desert Project
- A$7 million raised via strategic placement to fund exploration and development
- Commencement of trading on OTCQB to enhance US investor exposure
Resource Growth at Storm Copper Project
American West Metals Limited (ASX – AW1) has delivered a significant update to its mineral resource estimate (MRE) at the Storm Copper Project in Nunavut, Canada. The latest JORC (2012) compliant resource now totals 28.2 million tonnes grading 1.0% copper and 3.3 grams per tonne silver, representing a 20% increase in contained copper and a 36% increase in silver compared to previous estimates. Notably, over 65% of this resource is classified as Indicated, providing a stronger foundation for the upcoming Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) targeted for Q1 2026.
The resource expansion reflects extensive drilling and exploration efforts, including the delineation of seven high-grade copper-silver deposits such as Cyclone, Chinook, and the newly defined Gap Deposit. Drilling has focused on converting inferred resources into the indicated category, thereby reducing project risk and enhancing confidence in the deposit’s continuity and quality.
Exploration Advances and New Targets
Beyond resource growth, American West has identified multiple new exploration targets across the Storm corridor. A standout discovery is the Chevron Prospect, a large 4.1 km by 0.7 km copper anomaly with geochemical and structural characteristics akin to the known high-grade deposits. This target remains untested by drilling or geophysics, highlighting the underexplored nature of the region.
Additional drilling at prospects such as Squall and Tornado has confirmed the presence of high-grade copper mineralisation and widespread copper sulphides, respectively. These findings underscore the potential for further resource expansion and the development of a robust copper mining camp in Nunavut.
Critical Metals Potential at West Desert Project
In Utah, the West Desert Project is emerging as a critical metals hub, with American West initiating a comprehensive resampling program of historical drill core to unlock the full potential of indium and gallium; metals vital to North American technology and defence supply chains. Early assays have confirmed exceptionally high grades, including indium up to 324 grams per tonne and gallium up to 77 grams per tonne, alongside significant copper, gold, and silver mineralisation.
The project already hosts the largest JORC-compliant indium resource in the United States, but only a fraction of the deposit has been assayed for critical metals, indicating substantial upside. The geological setting resembles the world-class Apex Mine, the only US mine developed primarily for germanium and gallium, reinforcing West Desert’s strategic importance.
Strategic Funding and US Market Engagement
To support its ambitious exploration and development programs, American West successfully raised A$7 million through a placement to institutional investors, including a strategic investment from Tribeca Investment Partners. This capital injection will primarily fund the West Desert critical metals program and the ongoing PFS at Storm.
Further bolstering its US presence, the company commenced trading on the OTCQB Venture Exchange under the ticker AWMLF, enhancing access to North American institutional and retail investors. Discussions are ongoing regarding potential future listings on NASDAQ or NYSE, positioning American West as a key player in the domestic critical minerals supply chain aligned with recent US National Security Strategy priorities.
Outlook and Next Steps
With the Storm PFS advancing and a comprehensive 2026 drill campaign planned at West Desert targeting high-grade critical metals and near-mine copper-gold-silver zones, American West Metals is poised for continued growth. The company’s projects benefit from strategic positioning within supportive regulatory frameworks in Canada and the US, including fast-track approvals and strong state-level backing.
As the company integrates its expanded resource base into development studies and pursues further exploration success, investors will be watching closely for updates on drilling results, PFS outcomes, and US market engagement progress.
Bottom Line?
American West Metals is accelerating its journey to become a cornerstone supplier of copper and critical metals in North America, with resource expansions and strategic US engagement setting the stage for value creation.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the updated Storm resource impact the upcoming Pre-Feasibility Study economics?
- What are the timelines and targets for the 2026 West Desert drilling campaign?
- How might potential NASDAQ or NYSE listings influence American West’s US investor base and capital access?