CSE-listed junior explorer Demesne Resources has announced that it will update the historical resources at its IMA tungsten/molybdenum property in Idaho, US.

The move comes as China, which controls more than 80% of the global tungsten supply, tightens export controls on critical materials, including tungsten, effective December 1.

The new restrictions are part of China's broader strategy to limit the export of dual-use technologies and materials – those used in both civilian and military applications – in response to US export controls on semiconductors and AI technologies.

Demesne’s response to these geopolitical shifts underscores the increasing demand for a reliable, domestic supply of tungsten in the US.

“With the option to explore and develop the IMA mine in Idaho, we find ourselves in the right place at the right time with the potential for domestic tungsten production,” said Demesne CEO Murray Nye.

“The IMA mine is a past-producer. It’s sitting on patented ground and is readily permittable for exploration. In the near-term, we hope to renew the IMA mine’s historic resources, add resource tonnes, and drive toward a mine restart.”

Nye said that past investment in the IMA property by junior and senior mining companies, including Bradley Mining, AMAX, and Anglo American subsidiary Inspiration Development, provides a strong foundation for future development.

“Now, it’s in the hands of the experienced Demesne team to determine the next chapter in the IMA mine productivity.”

Tungsten, which is listed as a critical metal by the US departments of Energy and Defence, the US Geological Survey, and Canada’s Ministry of National Defence, is essential in the manufacture of military hardware, aerospace components, and a range of industrial applications owing to its high melting point and strength.

“Given the geopolitical environment and the growing recognition of tungsten’s strategic value, we are focused on advancing the IMA mine as quickly as possible,” Nye said.

To fund the initial work on the IMA mine, Demesne announced a $2-million non-brokered private placement of common shares on November 14. This funding will be used to support the work needed to update the resource estimate, as well as additional exploration activities.

The IMA property is located in the Lemhi range near the community of Patterson. The mine has a history of tungsten and silver production, having produced 2 198 t of tungsten concentrate from 468 000 t of ore between 1945 and 1957. In addition to tungsten, the mine also produced significant amounts of silver, copper, lead and zinc. After the US government’s tungsten-buying programme collapsed in 1958, the mine ceased operations. Subsequent exploration by various companies focused on molybdenum, with significant work conducted by AMAX and Inspiration Development Company between the 1960s and 1980s.

Demesne plans to digitise historical records, review past exploration results, and construct a new geological model to support its exploration and development plans. This process will help the company define additional targets and expand its resource base, setting the stage for potential future mining activity at the IMA property.

“Given the strategic importance of tungsten, we are focused on strengthening domestic supply chains to reduce reliance on foreign sources,” said Nye. “Our long-term goal is to bring the IMA mine back into production, and the first step is updating the historical resource base and assessing the potential for new discoveries on the property.”