VANCOUVER, June 20, 2019 /CNW/ - Defense Metals Corp.
("Defense Metals") (TSX-V:DEFN / OTCQB:DFMTF / FSE:35D) is
pleased to announce that it has received successful metallurgical
test results for the Wicheeda Rare Earth Element Property from SGS
Canada Inc. ("SGS"). Results from the initial 21 of a planned 25
batch flotation tests completed to date during 2019 showed
progressive improvement from early to late stage testing,
culminating in test F21 that achieved:
- 80% recovery of cerium, lanthanum, and neodymium oxides
(Ce2O3+La2O3+Nd2O3)
- 44% rare earth oxide (REO) concentrate grade
- 9.5 times upgrading ratio from head grade
- 8.4% concentrate mass yield
While additional test work is required to replicate the F21 test
results, based on publicly-available research authored by SGS staff
1 and Defense Metals' discussions with experts in the
REE industry, the flotation response of the Wicheeda material is
considered among the best in its class with relatively high
upgrading ratios in comparison with other REE projects. The mass
yield to the concentrate is also considered attractive for its
potential to reduce acid consumption during the subsequent
hydrometallurgical extraction stage. Reduced acid consumption has
the potential to positively impact future economic studies for the
Wicheeda REE Project by contributing to reduced operating and/or
capital costs. It is important to note that the current 2019 bulk
sample batch flotation results are representative of the 30 tonne
dolomite carbonatite surface bulk sample collected from the
Wicheeda REE Deposit (see Defense Metals' March 14, 2019 News Release). Although the
2019 results are not necessarily representative of potential
flotation performance of the deposit as a whole, the current batch
flotation test results are in agreement with the 2011 flotation
test work, also conducted by SGS, on a composite 2009 drill core
sample obtained from seven (7) separate drill holes throughout the
deposit.
The 2019 SGS flotation test work is establishing a base-case by
confirming the reproducibility of previous 2011 metallurgical test
work, followed by process flowsheet optimization through
researching the effects of various reagent combinations; in
addition to varying grind size, flotation pulp temperature, pH, and
the possibility of gravity separation. An examination of
Ce2O3 batch flotation test results to date
reveals a progressive improvement of both rare earth oxide (REO)
grade and overall REO recovery from base-case F1 to the current
best test F21 (Figure 1).
______________________________________________________________________________
1)
|
Verbaan, N., Bradley,
K., Brown, N., and Mackie, S., 2015 A review of hydrometallurgical
flowsheets considered in current REE projects. In: Simandl G.J. and
Neetz, M. (Eds.). Symposium on Strategic and Critical Materials
Proceedings. November 13-14, 2015, Victoria, British Columbia
Ministry of Energy and Mines, British Columbia Geological Survey
Paper 2015-3, pp. 147-162
|
The 2011 base-case returned projected "trajectory mass balance"
REO recoveries for cerium, lanthanum, and neodymium of 83% at a
grade of 42% REO (see Defense Metals' January 8, 2019 News Release) based on
combined locked cycle concentrate recoveries of 62% at a grade of
45% REO.
Craig Taylor, CEO of Defense
Metals, stated; "We are extremely pleased with the Wicheeda
batch flotation test results to date. With 80% recoveries at a rare
earth oxide concentrate grade of 44%, this places our Wicheeda bulk
sample metallurgical testing at the high-end of publicly reported
concentrate grades and upgrading ratios for alkaline and
carbonatite rock REE deposits1. Defense Metals looks
forward to the completion of additional batch flotation tests and
locked cycle flotation testing to establish a finalized process
flowsheet".
About the Wicheeda REE Property
The 1,780 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 nearby to infrastructure, including
power transmission lines, the CN railway and major highways.
Geologically, the property is situated in the Foreland Belt and
within the Rocky Mountain Trench, a major continental geologic
feature. The Foreland Belt contains part of a large alkaline
igneous province, stretching from the Canadian Cordillera to the
southwestern United States, which
includes several carbonatite and alkaline intrusive complexes
hosting the Aley (niobium), Rock Canyon (REE), and Wicheeda (REE)
deposits.
The Wicheeda REE Property is underlain by Kechika Group
metasedimentary rocks that are intruded by the southeast-trending
Wicheeda carbonatite; a deformed plug or sill approximately 250
metres in diameter that hosts significant REE mineralization. This
intrusion comprises a ferroan dolomite carbonatite core, which
passes gradationally outward into calcite carbonatite. The REE
mineralization is primarily hosted by the dolomitic
carbonatite.
Qualified Person
The scientific and technical information contained in this news
release as it relates to the Wicheeda REE Property has been
reviewed and approved by Kristopher J. Raffle, P.Geo. (BC)
Principal and Consultant of APEX Geoscience Ltd. of Edmonton, AB, a "Qualified Person" as defined
in National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure
for Mineral Projects.
Methodology and QA/QC
Batch flotation head grade and concentrate products for
lanthanum and neodymium oxides were determined by whole rock
analysis, via lithium-borate fusion of a 0.5 gram sample analyzed
via wavelength dispersion X-ray fluorescence (WD-XRF). The
remaining rare earth elements were determined via 0.5 gram
sodium-peroxide fusion multi-element ICP-MS.
The SGS analysis included a quality assurance / quality control
(QA/QC) program including the insertion of rare earth element
standard and blank samples. Defense Metals detected no significant
QA/QC issues during review of the data. SGS Minerals Lakefield is
an ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO9001:2015 accredited. SGS is independent of
Defense Metals Corp.
About Defense Metals Corp.
Defense Metals Corp. is a mineral exploration company focused on
the acquisition of mineral deposits containing metals and
elements commonly used in the electric power market, military,
national security and the production of "GREEN" energy
technologies, such as, high strength alloys and rare earth magnets.
Defense Metals has an option to acquire 100% of the 1,780 hectare
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.
Forward Looking Information
This news release includes certain statements that constitute
"forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable
securities law, including without limitation, Defense Metals plans
for its properties/ projects, metallurgical testing and results,
other statements relating to the technical, financial and business
prospects of Defense Metals, and other matters.
Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions
and are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and
assumptions. These statements relate to analyses and other
information that are based on forecasts of future results,
estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of
management. Any statements that express or involve discussions with
respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections,
objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but
not always, using words or phrases such as "expects" or "does not
expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate",
"plans", "estimates" or "intends", or stating that certain actions,
events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be
taken, occur or be achieved), and variations of such words, and
similar expressions are not statements of historical fact and may
be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statement are
necessarily based upon a number of factors that, if untrue, could
cause the actual results, performances or achievements of Defense
Metals to be materially different from future results, performances
or achievements express or implied by such statements. Such
statements and information are based on numerous assumptions
regarding present and future business strategies and the
environment in which Defense Metals will operate in the future,
including the price of metals, anticipated costs and the ability to
achieve 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, and that
third party contractors, equipment and supplies and governmental
and other approvals required to conduct Defense Metals planned
exploration activities will be available on reasonable terms and in
a timely manner. While such estimates and assumptions are
considered reasonable by the management of Defense Metals, they are
inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive
and regulatory uncertainties and risks.
Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and
uncertainties, which could cause actual events, level of activity,
performance or results to differ materially from those reflected in
the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: (i)
risks related to gold, copper, uranium, rare earth elements, and
other commodity price fluctuations; (ii) risks and uncertainties
relating to the interpretation of exploration results; (iii) risks
related to the inherent uncertainty of exploration and cost
estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; (iv)
that resource exploration and development is a speculative
business; (v) that Defense Metals may lose or abandon its property
interests or may fail to receive necessary licences and
permits; (vi) that environmental laws and regulations may
become more onerous; (vii) that Defense Metals may not be
able to raise additional funds when necessary; (viii) the
possibility that future exploration, development or mining results
will not be consistent with Defense Metals expectations; (ix)
exploration and development risks, including risks related to
accidents, equipment breakdowns, labour disputes or other
unanticipated difficulties with or interruptions in exploration and
development; * competition; (xi) the potential for delays in
exploration or development activities or the completion of geologic
reports or studies; (xii) the uncertainty of profitability based
upon Defense Metals history of losses; (xiii) risks related to
environmental regulation and liability; (xiv) risks associated with
failure to maintain community acceptance, agreements and
permissions (generally referred to as "social licence"), including
local First Nations; (xv) risks relating to obtaining and
maintaining all necessary government permits, approvals and
authorizations relating to the continued exploration and
development of Defense Metals projects; (xvi) risks related to the
outcome of legal actions; (xvii) political and regulatory risks
associated with mining and exploration; (xix) risks related to
current global financial conditions; and (xx) other risks and
uncertainties related to Defense Metals prospects, properties and
business strategy. These risks, as well as others, could cause
actual results and events to vary significantly.
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, the loss of key
directors, employees, advisors or consultants, adverse weather
conditions, increase in costs, equipment failures, litigation,
failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations
and fees charged by service providers. Investors are cautioned that
forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance
or events and, accordingly are cautioned not to put undue reliance
on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty of
such statements. The forward-looking statements included in this
news release are made as of the date hereof and Defense Metals
disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by
applicable securities legislation.
SOURCE Defense Metals Corp.