Defense Metals Corp. Prepares for Initial Diamond Drill Assay Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Defense Metals Corp. announced the shipment of 1,576 core samples from its Wicheeda rare earth element (REE) Project, representing 70% of its 2021 drilling program. The samples, totaling approximately 3,900 meters across 23 drill holes, were sent to ALS Canada for analysis. Initial assay results for the first four holes are expected by mid-February 2022, with further updates to follow. The Wicheeda Project has a positive preliminary economic assessment indicating an after-tax NPV of $517 million and 18% IRR. The company is focused on expanding its REE resources.

Positive

• Successful shipment of 1,576 core samples representing 70% of drilled meterage from 2021 program.
• Positive preliminary economic assessment with an NPV of $517 million and an IRR of 18%.
• Initial assay results expected by mid-February, enhancing resource valuation.

Negative

• None.

VANCOUVER, BC, Feb. 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Defense Metals Corp. ("Defense Metals" or the "Company") (TSXV: DEFN) (OTCQB: DFMTF) (FSE: 35D) is pleased to announce that 1,576 core samples representing 23 drill holes totalling approximately 3,900 metres of diamond drill core have been shipped and received by ALS Canada Ltd. (ALS) from its Wicheeda rare earth element (REE) Project.

Samples shipped to date represent more than 70% of the 2021 drilled meterage from the Company's highly successful 29 hole, 5,349 metre diamond drill program designed to expand the Wicheeda REE deposit and further upgrade existing resource categories (see Defense Metals news release dated November 8, 2021). Core samples from the remining six diamond drill holes are expected to be shipped to ALS within one week's time.

Of the 1,576 samples submitted to ALS, an ISO-IEC 17025:2017 and ISO 9001:2015 accredited geoanalytical laboratory, a total of 1,206 samples have been crushed and pulverized in preparation for multi-element ICP-MS fusion analysis. The Company expects to receive initial assay results from the first four diamond drill holes of the 2021 campaign, subject to QA/QC review, by mid-February with additional results news flow by end of February and thereafter.

Luisa Moreno, President and Director of Defense Metals commented: "We look forward to receiving the initial assays results from our ambitious 5,349 metre 2021 Wicheeda REE deposit diamond drill campaign. The 2021 drilling is expected to contribute to the expansion and upgrading of mineral resources we so recently demonstrated in our positive Wicheeda REE Project PEA."

About the Wicheeda REE Property

The 2,008-hectare Wicheeda REE Property, located approximately 80 km northeast of the city of Prince George, British Columbia, is readily accessible by all-weather gravel roads and is near infrastructure, including power transmission lines, the CN railway, and major highways.

The Wicheeda REE Project yielded a robust 2021 PEA that demonstrated an after-tax net present value (NPV@8%) of $517 million, and 18% IRR¹. A unique advantage of the Wicheeda REE Project is the production of a saleable high-grade flotation-concentrate. The PEA contemplates a 1.8 Mtpa (million tonnes per year) mill throughput open pit mining operation with 1.75:1 (waste:mill feed) strip ratio over a 19 year mine (project) life producing and average of 25,423 tonnes REO annually. A Phase 1 initial pit strip ratio of 0.63:1 (waste:mill feed) would yield rapid access to higher grade surface mineralization in year 1 and payback of $440 million initial capital within 5 years.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release as it relates to the Wicheeda REE Project has been reviewed and approved by Kristopher J. Raffle, P.Geo. (BC) Principal and Consultant of APEX Geoscience Ltd. of Edmonton, AB, a director of Defense Metals and a "Qualified Person" as defined in NI 43-101. Mr. Raffle verified the data disclosed which includes a review of the analytical and test data underlying the information and opinions contained therein.  

About Defense Metals Corp.

Defense Metals Corp. is a mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral deposits containing metals and elements commonly used in the electric power market, defense industry, national security sector and in the production of green energy technologies, such as, rare earths magnets used in wind turbines and in permanent magnet motors for electric vehicles. Defense Metals owns 100% of the Wicheeda Rare Earth Element Property located near Prince George, British Columbia, Canada. Defense Metals Corp. trades in Canada under the symbol "DEFN" on the TSX Venture Exchange, in the United States, under "DFMTF" on the OTCQB and in Germany on the Frankfurt Exchange under "35D".

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" Information

This news release contains "forward–looking information or statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, which may include, without limitation, statements relating to advancing the Wicheeda REE Project, drill results including anticipated timeline of such results, the Company's plans for its Wicheeda REE Project, expanded resource and scale of expanded resource, expected results and outcomes, the technical, financial and business prospects of the Company, its project and other matters. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, including the price of rare earth elements, the anticipated costs and expenditures, the ability to achieve its goals, that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner, that financing will be available if and when needed and on reasonable terms. Such forward-looking information reflects the Company's views with respect to future events and is subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including the risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of exploration results, risks related to the inherent uncertainty of exploration and cost estimates, the potential for unexpected costs and expenses and those other risks filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. While such estimates and assumptions are considered reasonable by the management of the Company, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive and regulatory uncertainties and risks. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions, adverse weather and climate conditions, failure to maintain or obtain all necessary government permits, approvals and authorizations, failure to maintain community acceptance (including First Nations),  risks relating to unanticipated operational difficulties (including failure of equipment or processes to operate in accordance with specifications or expectations, cost escalation, unavailability of materials and equipment, government action or delays in the receipt of government approvals, industrial disturbances or other job action, and unanticipated events related to health, safety and environmental matters), risks relating to inaccurate geological and engineering assumptions, decrease in the price of rare earth elements, the impact of Covid-19 or other viruses and diseases on the Company's ability to operate, an inability to predict and counteract the effects of COVID-19 on the business of the Company, including but not limited to, the effects of COVID-19 on the price of commodities, capital market conditions, restriction on labour and international travel and supply chains, loss of key employees, consultants, or directors, increase in costs, delayed drilling results, litigation, and failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations. The Company does not undertake to update forward–looking statements or forward–looking information, except as required by law.

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1

Independent Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Wicheeda Rare Earth Element Project, British Columbia, Canada, dated January 6, 2022, with an effective date of November 7, 2021, and prepared by SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. is filed under Defense Metals Corp.'s Issuer Profile on SEDAR (www.sedar.com).

 

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SOURCE Defense Metals Corp.

FAQ

What recent shipment has Defense Metals Corp. made regarding its Wicheeda REE Project?

Defense Metals Corp. shipped 1,576 core samples from its Wicheeda REE Project, representing 70% of its 2021 drilling program.

When can investors expect the assay results from the Wicheeda REE Project?

Initial assay results from the first four diamond drill holes are expected by mid-February 2022.

What does the preliminary economic assessment (PEA) for the Wicheeda Project indicate?

The PEA indicates an after-tax NPV of $517 million and an IRR of 18% for the Wicheeda REE Project.

How many drill holes were included in the recent drilling program for Wicheeda?

The recent drilling program included 29 drill holes totaling 5,349 meters.

What is the significance of the core sample shipment for Defense Metals Corp. investors?

The core sample shipment is significant as it represents progress in expanding and upgrading the company's REE resources, potentially affecting future valuations.