VANCOUVER, BC, March 9, 2021 /CNW/ - Defense Metals Corp.
("Defense Metals") (TSXV: DEFN) (OTCQB: DFMT) (FSE: 35D) is
pleased to announce that it has received the results of an X-Ray
Transmission amenability study completed on samples of Wicheeda
Rare Earth Element (REE) mineralized drill core by the Saskatchewan
Research Council (SRC), Saskatoon,
SK.
The road accessible Wicheeda REE Property is located close
to infrastructure approximately 80 kilometres northeast of
Prince George, British Columbia
(BC).The Wicheeda project has 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.
Highlights of the XRT amenability study completed by SRC
on samples of high-grade REE mineralized Wicheeda diamond drill
core are as follows:
- X-ray transmission measurements and
QEMSCAN® confirmed that XRT
technology can identify Wicheeda REE minerals in drill core samples
(Figure 1).
-
Crushingto-15mmsize
particlesandusinga5% REE mineral lower
cut-offinthesortingalgorithm,demonstrated the potential of low-cost
front end XRT sorting to
upgrade
2.3xfromapproximately 11%REEmineral contentto
25%REEmineralcontent.
- Upgrading of Wicheeda REE mineralization via
XRT sorting has the potential to significantly
reduce feed volume forwarded to downstream the hydrometallurgical
process.
Craig Taylor, CEO of
Defense Metals, stated: "Defense Metals is
excited to establish the amenability of Wicheeda REE mineralization
to the application of low-cost front end upgrading via sensor-based
sorting technologies. We know from our very successful flotation
pilot plant and bench-scale hydrometallurgical test-work that early
volume reduction and upgrading has significant downstream benefits.
The quality of concentrate we can deliver to flotation process has
direct benefits in terms of process recovery, and reduced costs
related to reagent reduction. Based on the success of this
amenability test work SRC have recommended proceeding to a series
of confirmatory XRT sorting optimization tests."
Table 1. Theoretical Grade of XRT Sorted Mineralized
Feed At Various Particle Sizes
Potential REE Mineral Grade with Barren Particles
Removed
|
Potential REE Upgrade Using Various Lower
Cut-Offs
|
Preferred Sorting Technology
|
Particle
Size
|
Mineral
Particles
|
Particles with REE's
|
Minerals
Accepted (%)
|
Accept
Grade
(%)
|
REE Cut-Off (%)
|
Minerals
Accepted (%)
|
REE Minerals Recovered (%)
|
Accept
Grade (%)
|
Reject
Grade (%)
|
XRT
|
20 mm
|
57
|
57
|
100.00%
|
10.68%
|
4.20%
|
44.90%
|
65.90%
|
16.07%
|
5.25%
|
10 mm
|
226
|
222
|
98.30%
|
10.77%
|
4.80%
|
33.90%
|
66.90%
|
22.17%
|
4.33%
|
6 mm
|
625
|
586
|
93.90%
|
11.04%
|
5.20%
|
28.90%
|
69.70%
|
26.30%
|
3.58%
|
DMS
|
3 mm
|
2,450
|
1,916
|
78.10%
|
12.74%
|
6.00%
|
24.90%
|
73.20%
|
35.11%
|
2.44%
|
1.2 mm
|
14,894
|
7,275
|
48.70%
|
20.96%
|
2.90%
|
26.90%
|
92.50%
|
37.49%
|
0.61%
|
0.6 mm
|
59,199
|
17,406
|
29.30%
|
36.75%
|
1.10%
|
24.00%
|
98.30%
|
43.43%
|
0.12%
|
![Figure 1. Wicheeda REE Drill Core (Left) Showing Bastnaesite Mineralization (Purple) QEMSCAN® (Middle), And Modified X-Ray Image (Right) (CNW Group/Defense Metals Corp.) Figure 1. Wicheeda REE Drill Core (Left) Showing Bastnaesite Mineralization (Purple) QEMSCAN® (Middle), And Modified X-Ray Image (Right) (CNW Group/Defense Metals Corp.)](https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1451875/Defense_Metals_Corp__Defense_Metals_X_Ray_Transmission_Amenabili.jpg)
XRT sorting is a technology that exploits the atomic
density (atoms/cm3) differences of minerals. The atomic density of
a mineral is closely related to the minerals' density (gram/cm3)
and is therefore a viable technology for upgrading the mineralized
feed prior to processing. Previous test work indicated that gravity
separation prior to flotation was beneficial in concentrating
Wicheeda REE minerals due to the large density differences between
the REE and gangue minerals.
To evaluate amenability to XRT sorting, a combination of
high-resolution XRT and QEMSCAN® (Quantitative Evaluation of
Materials by Scanning Electron Microscopy) measurements were
carried out at the SRC. These measurements identify if the atomic
density differences between the REE and gangue minerals can be
exploited for XRT sorting. The greyscale levels associated with the
various minerals are identified using QEMSCAN®
measurements.
Using the X-ray greyscale images and the QEMSCAN® images,
additional theoretical information on the grade of the REE minerals
for various particle sizes is generated. The particle grade
information determined how much gangue and how much REE
mineralization is present in each size fraction. Information is
necessary to determine the benefits of upgrading the mineralized
feed at different particle sizes.
Size fractions greater than 6 mm can be viably sorted
using XRT sorters while size fractions greater than 0.6 mm are more
amendable to sorting using dense medium separation (DMS) and
spirals. Size fractions less than 0.6 mm are concentrated via
hydrometallurgy processes. The average distribution of the REE
minerals and the theoretical grade of the XRT sorted mineralized
feed for the six core samples, for each size fraction within 20 mm,
10 mm, and 6 mm particles are shown in Table 1.
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
A total of 6 core samples were selected for X-ray
transmission measurements. Each sample was imaged using
2-dimensional X-ray transmission measurements to identify greyscale
differences in the core samples. The greyscale levels associated
with the various minerals are identified using QEMSCAN®
measurements. The X-ray images are then modified using a defined
threshold to identify the location and dispersion of the REE
minerals and pyrite throughout the core samples. The results of
this XRT amenability study are theoretical in nature and may not be
representative of actual recoveries obtainable via direct testing
using XRT sorting and DMS.
Using image analysis techniques on the QEMSCAN® images,
the percent removal of low-grade mineralization is calculated for
different theoretical size fractions. The size fractions used in
this study were: 20 mm, 10 mm, 6 mm, 3 mm, 1.2 mm, and 0.6 mm
rectangular particles.
Defense Metals is not aware of any drilling, sampling,
recovery, or other factors that could materially affect the
accuracy or reliability of the data referred to herein.
The SRC operates in accordance with ISO/IEC
17025:2005 (CAN-P-4E), General Requirements for the Competence of
Mineral Testing and Calibration Laboratories. SRC is independent of
Defense Metals Corp. and the Qualified Person.
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.
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 proceeding to a series of confirmatory XRT
sorting optimization tests and the expected, plans for the Wicheeda
Property, the advancement and development of the Wicheeda Property,
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 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 those 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 conditions, failure to maintain or
obtain all necessary government permits, approvals and
authorizations, failure to maintain community acceptance (including
First Nations), 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 increase in costs, 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.
______________________________
|
1Technical
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 Corp.'s profile on SEDAR
(www.sedar.com)
|
View original content to download
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/defense-metals-x-ray-transmission-amenability-study-demonstrates-potential-for-sensor-based-upgrading-of-wicheeda-rare-earth-element-feed-301242744.html
SOURCE Defense Metals Corp.