Aben Gold Corp. (ABM:TSXV; ABNAF:OTCQB) has completed 766 meters of diamond drilling across three holes at its 100%-owned Justin gold-tungsten project in southeastern Yukon Territory, with a fourth hole now underway as part of a fully financed 2026 campaign.
The quantified progress comes at a time when tungsten prices have surged more than 300 percent since the start of the year, highlighting the strategic value of projects that host both gold and tungsten mineralization.
Retail investors tracking critical minerals may find the timing relevant because Western defense procurement rules are expected to tighten in 2027 and restrict sourcing from concentrated suppliers.
Why Tungsten Market Conditions Matter to Investors Now
Global tungsten supply remains heavily concentrated, with one country accounting for roughly 80 percent of mine production. This concentration has driven the APT benchmark price from about US$83 per kilogram WO3 in January to US$340 per kilogram WO3 by July.
According to an August 17 report from Fortune Business Insights, the market was valued at US$5.78 billion in 2026, supported by demand for wear-resistant tools in mining, construction, aerospace, and defense applications.
That supply concentration was also central to research published September 1 by The Oregon Group, which noted that even if 11 announced non-Chinese projects reach production by 2030, a roughly 16,000-tonne annual supply gap outside China would persist.
Company Position and Project Advantage
Aben Gold holds the Justin project outright and has funded its exploration activities through equity financings and proceeds associated with the option agreement for its Forrest Kerr project.
The property covers 18,314 acres and contains multiple targets where historical drilling has intersected both gold and tungsten mineralization, providing geological targets for the current exploration program.
Key Assets, Current Catalysts, and Next Steps
The 2026 program targets the POW zone first. Hole JN26-001 reached 265.3 meters, and its 341 samples were dispatched to Bureau Veritas on August 26. Holes JN26-002 and JN26-003 were completed to 207.35 meters and 250.05 meters, respectively, with samples prepared for assay. JN26-004 is now drilling from pad 2 to follow up on visible scheelite mineralization.
President and Chief Executive Officer Riley Trimble said the company is prioritizing rapid turnaround on assays to capture results during a busy laboratory season.
Additional work outlined in the company Q2 materials includes soil sampling, rock sampling, and mapping at both POW and the undrilled Lost Ace zone two kilometers to the northwest, where prior channel samples returned 20.8 g/t gold over 4.4 meters.
The company's Q2 2026 materials also detail historical intercepts such as 60.00 meters of 1.25 g/t gold and 8.50 meters of 0.39 percent WO3, providing context for the current holes.
Broader Sector Timing and Third-Party Perspective
U.S. defense procurement changes effective January 2027 are expected to favor non-Chinese tungsten sources. Aben Gold's dual gold-tungsten exposure at Justin positions the company to benefit from both precious-metal strength and critical-mineral demand.
On September 3, Bob Moriarty of 321Gold.com wrote, "Aben Gold has spent three years in the lonely wilderness howling at the full moon before coming to life again in January when gold finally woke up. They sold off one non-core project to Kingfisher ... With the advance in the price of gold, the company was able to conduct some private placements to allow it to drill its Justin gold/tungsten property in the Yukon. Drilling a 1,500-meter program has begun, with three holes already completed. They are drilling a portion of the project that has already had some excellent drill results in the past, so they are going to have to work pretty hard to screw it up."
Streetwise Ownership Overview*
Aben Gold Corp. (ABM:TSXV;ABNAF:OTCQB)
| Date | Old Symbol | Old Shares | New Symbol | New Shares |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03/22/23 | ABNAD:OTCQB | 10 | ABNAF:OTCQB | 1 |
| 02/22/23 | ABN:TSXV | 10 | ABM:TSXV | 1 |
| 02/22/23 | ABNAF:OTCQB | 10 | ABNAD:OTCQB | 1 |
| 08/13/15 | ABN:TSXV | 6 | ABN:TSXV | 1 |
| 03/03/14 | ABN:TSXV | 10 | ABN:TSXV | 1 |
| 01/31/01 | ABA:TSXV | 10 | ABN:TSXV | 1 |
| 01/31/01 | ABADF:OTCQB | 1 | ABNAF:OTCQB | 1 |
Share Structure and Near-Term Events1
Aben Gold has a market capitalization of CA$6.30 million based on 35 million shares outstanding. Management and insiders hold 5.95 percent, with the balance held by retail investors. The 52-week trading range is CA$0.06 to CA$0.30.
Subject to regulatory approval, the company has engaged Independent Trading Group for market-making services at CA$6,500 per month on a renewable one-month basis with standard termination provisions.
Key Investor Takeaways
- 766 meters completed and first samples submitted for assay in a fully financed 2026 drill program at the Justin gold-tungsten project.
- Tungsten prices rose approximately 310 percent year-to-date amid structural supply constraints outside China.
- Historical drilling at POW already intersected both gold and tungsten zones, providing a foundation for current follow-up holes.
- The company maintains a modest share count and cash position after a non-core asset sale.
- Upcoming U.S. defense sourcing rules, effective in 2027, may increase demand for non-Chinese tungsten supply.
- Next assay results and continued drilling at POW represent the primary near-term catalysts.
Common Questions from Investors
What progress has Aben Gold made in its 2026 drill program?
As of August 30, the company had completed three holes totaling 766 meters at the POW zone and started a fourth hole, with the first batch of samples already submitted for assay.
Why is tungsten considered strategically important?
Tungsten is used in cemented carbides for cutting tools, drilling equipment, and wear-resistant components across defense, manufacturing, and energy sectors, and a new Western supply is limited.
Does the Justin project have prior tungsten results?
Yes. Historical drilling at POW returned intervals such as 8.50 meters of 0.39 percent WO3, though these results are not classified as current mineral resources or reserves.
What are the main near-term milestones?
Receipt of assay results from the first three holes, continued drilling of JN26-004, and potential expansion of soil sampling at POW and Lost Ace.
Investors should monitor assay turnaround times and any additional drill results to assess whether the current program can expand known gold-tungsten mineralization at Justin while tungsten market fundamentals remain supportive.
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Important Disclosures:
- Jordan Nova wrote this article for Streetwise Reports LLC and provides services to Streetwise Reports as an employee.
- This article does not constitute investment advice and is not a solicitation for any investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her personal financial adviser and perform their own comprehensive investment research. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports' terms of use and full legal disclaimer. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company.
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1. Ownership and Share Structure Information
The information listed above was updated on the date this article was published and was compiled from information from the company and various other data providers.
