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 59^th 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.  

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."

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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