Aben Shares Rally on Yukon Gold-Tungsten Exploration News

Why It Matters

The drill campaign targets a rare combination of gold and critical‑metal tungsten, positioning Aben to benefit from soaring tungsten prices and growing defense‑sector demand. Success could unlock a multi‑commodity revenue stream and enhance North American supply security.

Key Takeaways

• Aben plans 1,500 m of diamond drilling in 2026.
• POW Zone shows both gold (1.25 g/t) and tungsten (0.39% W).
• Lost Ace Zone returned 20.8 g/t gold over 4.4 m.
• Tungsten price surged to $3,180/tonne, driven by supply constraints.
• U.S. seeks domestic tungsten sources as China dominates 88% supply.

Pulse Analysis

Aben Gold’s 2026 field program marks a pivotal step for the Justin Gold Tungsten Project, a 7,400‑hectare property perched on Yukon’s prolific Tombstone Gold Belt. The company will drill approximately 1,500 metres across three pads, focusing on the POW intrusion‑related gold system and the high‑grade Lost Ace zone, both of which have delivered historic intercepts of over 1 g/t gold and measurable scheelite mineralization. By staging operations from Seabridge Gold’s 3 Aces Camp, Aben gains immediate access to established logistics, reducing early‑stage capital outlays and accelerating data collection.

The timing aligns with a dramatic surge in tungsten prices, where the cost of Ammonium Paratungstate leapt from roughly $340 per tonne in early 2025 to $3,180 per tonne today. Export curbs from China, combined with supply disruptions linked to the Ukraine and Middle‑East conflicts, have tightened global inventories and spurred Western governments to diversify sources. Tungsten’s unique hardness and high melting point make it indispensable for defense applications, from armor‑piercing munitions to advanced machining tools, intensifying the strategic imperative for new North American deposits.

Investors have responded positively, with Aben’s stock climbing 8.6% on the drill announcement. If the program confirms both gold and tungsten end‑members, the company could generate a dual‑commodity revenue model that cushions against commodity‑specific volatility. However, permitting timelines and the scarcity of high‑grade tungsten projects in the region remain hurdles. Successful results would not only boost Aben’s valuation but also contribute to broader supply‑chain resilience, a narrative that resonates with defense contractors and ESG‑focused capital alike.