ASX-listed Summit Minerals will seek shareholder approval at its upcoming general meeting to change its name to Western Ridge Resources, with trading on the ASX to follow under the ticker WRX, subject to approval.

The proposed name change coincides with the company’s recent acquisition of the polymetallic Keystone project, in Nevada, in the US, which hosts high-grade silver, gold and tungsten mineralisation.

Summit Minerals said on January 7 that the combination of the rebranding and acquisition reflects its strategic evolution and expanded focus on high-demand metals within a mining-friendly jurisdiction.

The general meeting to approve both the name change and the Keystone acquisition is scheduled for February 5.

“Changing our name marks a defining new chapter for both the company and its shareholders. The board and management team have worked in close alignment over several months and assessed a number of prospective project opportunities that provide the right platform, commodity exposure and jurisdiction to generate sustainable long-term growth and value creation for the company and its stakeholder groups.

“The Keystone project was the standout opportunity for Summit and we were very pleased to finalise the acquisition late last year,” Summit Minerals MD Dr Matthew Cobb said on January 7.

He added that the Keystone acquisition represented a compelling entry into a Tier-1 jurisdiction within a historically underexplored region that has delivered several high-grade results, led by silver – a metal experiencing increasing global demand.

“The project aligns well with the company’s strategic focus on the exploration of technology metals that are critical to rapidly growing markets. In an increasingly technology-driven global economy, metals such as silver and tungsten are critical and often non-substitutable inputs for advanced technologies.

“With demand for these metals forecast to grow amid tightening supply, the company is now well positioned to support long-term supply needs and deliver sustainable shareholder value,” Cobb said.

Summit said the Keystone acquisition would expand the company’s exposure to a portfolio of metals in high-demand sectors, positioning it to contribute to supply for emerging technology markets while pursuing long-term growth for shareholders.