VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 21, 2020 /CNW/ - Defense Metals Corp.
("Defense Metals") (TSXV: DEFN) (OTCQB: DFMTF) (FSE: 35D) is
pleased to announce that SGS Canada Inc. ("SGS") and Defense
Metals have submitted a technical paper titled: Beneficiation
and Extraction of REE from Defense Metals' Wicheeda Deposit in
BC to the 59th Conference of Metallurgist (COM2020).
The Wicheeda Rare Earth Element (REE) Deposit is located within
Defence Metals' 1,708 hectare (4,220 acre) Wicheeda Project located
near Prince George, Canada. The
Wicheeda Deposit hosts indicated mineral resources of 4,890,000
tonnes averaging 3.02% LREO (Light Rare Earth Elements), and
inferred mineral resources of 12,100,000 tonnes averaging
2.90% LREO1.
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The paper highlights the success of the recently
completed test program conducted at SGS Lakefield that led to
the development of a combined flotation and hydrometallurgical
flowsheet capable of processing Wicheeda carbonatite mineralization
and producing a purified mixed rare earth precipitate suitable for
further rare separation.
Highlights of the COM 2020 paper:
- The flowsheet (as developed) was capable of producing high
grade batch floatation concentrates (up to 54% TREO) at high
recoveries which is considered excellent.
- A high-grade concentrate (~49% TREO grade) was obtained at high
REE recoveries (~85%) in locked cycle flotation tests (see
Defense Metals news release dated October
23, 2019).
- Representative samples of concentrate were further processed in
a hydrometallurgical flowsheet consisting of hydrochloric acid
leaching and caustic cracking and led to the production of either a
81% TREO hydroxide sample or 96% TREO oxide sample.
- Overall REE extraction (from ore to leach solution) of 78% was
accomplished with several opportunities identified for improvement
(see Defense Metals news release dated February 18, 2020).
SGS achieved a strong REE beneficiation response in batch
flotation tests by careful control of flotation kinetics and the
dosages of collectors and depressants. The Wicheeda REE Deposit
hydrometallurgical flowsheet is chloride-based and uses
hydrochloric acid to dissolve gangue minerals away from the REE
carrying minerals. The REE containing leach residue is
subsequently processed in a caustic treatment step to convert REE
phosphates and fluorides into acid-soluble REE hydroxides. The REE
hydroxides are leached in hydrochloric acid and the leach solution
is treated to remove impurities such as iron, aluminium,
phosphorous, and thorium. A purified and mixed REE product
suitable for further REE separation can be produced either by
hydroxide or oxalate precipitation.
Craig Taylor, CEO of Defense
Metals, stated; "We are very happy that SGS has chosen to
showcase the results of the highly successful Wicheeda REE Deposit
metallurgical flowsheet development at upcoming COM2020. Defense
Metals is extremely proud of these results and is pleased to have
the rare earth beneficiation specialists at SGS lend their
considerable expertise towards the advancement of the Wicheeda REE
Deposit."
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Technical Report on
the Wicheeda Property, British Columbia, effective June 27, 2020
and prepared by APEX Geoscience Ltd. (Steven J. Nicholls, B.A. Sc.,
MAIG and Kristopher J. Raffle, B.Sc., P.Geo) is available under
Defense Metals' profile on SEDAR (www.sedar.com).
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Electrik Dojo LLC
Defense Metals is pleased to announce that it has entered into
an agreement for investor relations with Electrik Dojo LLC
("Electrik Dojo"). Defense Metals has retained Electrik Dojo
$60,000 (U.S.) for a term of 90 days.
Electrik Dojo has been engaged for native advertising and digital
marketing services to increase brand and market awareness for
Defense Metals. Certain services to be provided by Electrik Dojo
are anticipated to include investor relations activities under the
policies of the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") and applicable
securities laws. Defense Metals will continue to look at strategic
consultants to expand awareness of Defense Metals and its
activities. The engagement of Electrik Dojo remains subject to the
approval of the TSXV.
Options
Defense Metals also announces the granting of incentive
stock options ("Options") to certain of its directors,
officers and consultants to purchase up to an
aggregate 550,000 common shares of Defense Metals at a
price of $0.20 per common share for a
period of five (5) years. The Options vest on the date of
grant.
About SGS Canada Inc.
By incorporating an integrated approach, SGS delivers testing
and expertise throughout the entire mining life cycle. With a
network of over 450 commercial, multi-purpose and on-site
laboratories globally, SGS is uniquely positioned to provide
fit-for-purpose solutions and testing capabilities from early
exploration to end-product certification and closure to the mining
industry. SGS' services encompass the skills of qualified
geologists and mining professionals to provide accurate and timely
mineral evaluation and consulting services in a wide range of
commodities including precious and base metals, rare earth element
minerals, uranium and naturally occurring radioactive material,
industrial minerals, iron ore and hydrocarbons.
SGS is the world's leading inspection, verification, testing and
certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark
for quality and integrity. With more than 94,000 employees, we
operate a network of more than 2,600 offices and laboratories
around the world.
About the Wicheeda REE Property
The 1,708 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.
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 Director of Defense Metals and
a "Qualified Person" as defined in National Instrument 43-101 –
Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr.
Raffle verified the data disclosed which includes a review of the
analytical and test data underlying the information and opinions
contained therein.
Methodology and QA/QC
The Wicheeda flotation test charges were prepared by SGS from
the 30 tonne Wicheeda sample which was crushed to nominal 12.7 mm
(1/2") using a combination of jaw and cone crushers. The crushed
material was homogenized using a front-end loader over a period of
several hours.
Head grade, and concentrate products for cerium, lanthanum,
neodymium and praseodymium oxides were determined via
lithium-borate fusion of a 0.5 gram sample analyzed via wavelength
dispersion X-ray fluorescence (WD-XRF).
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. Defense Metals is not aware
of any sampling, recovery or other factors that could materially
affect the accuracy or reliability of the data referred to herein.
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 1,708 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 or statements" within the meaning of
applicable securities law, including without limitation, Defense
Metals plans for its properties/projects, other statements
relating to the technical, financial and business prospects of
Defense Metals and its properties, 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 and elements, 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 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, the impact of
Covid-19 or other viruses and diseases on Defense Metals' ability
to operate, failure to maintain community acceptance (including
First Nations), decrease in the price of rare earth elements,
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.
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SOURCE Defense Metals Corp.