Defense Metals Announces Additional Positive Flotation Pilot Plant Results
Defense Metals Announces Additional Positive Flotation Pilot
Plant Results
VANCOUVER, BC,
Aug. 13, 2020
/CNW/ - Defense Metals Corp. ("
Defense Metals
") (TSX-V:DEFN) (OTCQB:DFMTF) (FSE:35D)
is pleased to provide an additional update with respect to flotation pilot plant processing of its Wicheeda Rare Earth Element (REE)
Property ("
Wicheeda
") bulk sample at the SGS Canada Inc. ("
SGS
")
Lakefield, ON
metallurgical test facility.
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% LREO
1
.
To date a total of 20 pilot plant processing runs have been completed since initiation of pilot plant testwork on
June 11, 2020
. The
entirety of the Wicheeda bulk sample has now been processed through the pilot plant. Mass balance assay results for an additional
five (5) pilot plant runs completed since the previous news release dated
August 4, 2020
are presented below (
Table 1)
. Highlights
of the recently completed bulk sample flotation pilot plant are:
26 tonnes bulk sample feed processed
over
178 hours of operation
Approximately 1,200 kg of high-grade REE flotation concentrate produced
(dry weight at ~15% moisture content)
Process run concentrate grades
ranging from 45.4% up to 56.7% (averaging 51.6%)
LREO
(light rare earth oxide
expressed as the sum of light rare earth elements expressed as oxides Ce
2
O
3
+La
2
O
3
+Nd
2
O
3
+Pr
2
O
3
)
Process recovery ranging from 53.8% up to 81.5% (averaging 72.4%) LREO
Low average 6.4% mass yield
to concentrate
Scaled-up flotation pilot plant results to date compare very favourably, and with respect to concentrated grade exceed,
benchmark locked-cycle flotation tests
that produced a high grade 48.7% LREO flotation concentrate at 85.7% LREO recovery
(
See Defense Metals News Release dated
October 23, 2019
). The results demonstrate progressive LREO recovery improvement
with successive tests conducted under varying process conditions designed to improve the circuit stability and metallurgical
performance.
The final 5 (five) pilot plant runs, each having a duration of approximately 12 hours of continuous operation, included three tests (PP-
15C, PP-16A, and PP-16C) conducted at reduced conditioning temperature. The results of these lower operating temperature tests
returned comparable concentrate grade and recoveries to earlier higher temperature tests. Defense Metals believe the results are
significant in that they demonstrate opportunities for potential future process-cost savings due to reduced energy input requirements.
Craig Taylor
, CEO of Defense Metals, stated;
"With the processing of the remaining bulk sample feed now complete we continue
to be extremely pleased with the results, which we believe demonstrate the viability of large-scale bulk sample flotation
processing of Wicheeda REE Deposit material. We now look forward to beginning the data analysis phase of the work that will in
part examine opportunities for further improvement of the already very successful Wicheeda metallurgical flowsheet. We expect
to release the final results and a summary of all the testwork in the coming months."
Figure 1: Wicheeda REE Deposit Flotation Pilot Plant Mass Balance Results
Pilot Run
Released
Weight
Assay %
% Distribution (Recovery)
Ce
2
O
3
La
2
O
3
Nd
2
O
3
Pr
2
O
3
LREO
Concentrate
Grade
Ce
2
O
3
La
2
O
3
Nd
2
O
3
Pr
2
O
3
LREO
%
PP-16C
Current
News
Release
7.1
25.73
19.98
5.74
2.03
53.47
76.97
78.27
77.03
78.12
77.60
PP-16A
7.4
24.22
18.58
5.41
1.90
50.11
77.39
78.19
76.44
83.81
78.96
PP-15D
7.3
23.90
18.36
5.28
1.84
49.38
79.90
81.26
81.95
82.71
81.46
PP-15C
6.8
26.40
20.15
5.80
2.03
54.39
78.72
80.44
81.40
75.98
79.13
PP-15B
6.3
24.75
18.88
5.43
1.94
51.00
69.27
70.86
69.92
68.53
69.64
PP-14
Aug. 4,
2020
News
Release
6.8
24.8
19.1
5.52
1.93
51.3
76.5
78.5
77.9
74.3
76.8
PP-13
4.2
24.5
18.8
5.40
1.92
50.6
54.0
55.2
55.2
50.9
53.8
PP-12
7.1
23.5
18.4
5.26
1.87
49.0
75.5
77.1
76.6
78.9
77.0
PP-11
7.3
25.5
19.9
5.66
2.02
53.1
74.3
75.7
75.7
64.3
72.5
PP-10
6.9
25.5
20.1
5.68
1.99
53.3
77.9
79.6
79.6
79.4
79.1
PP-9
6.0
22.2
17.0
4.87
1.74
45.8
65.2
66.7
66.2
63.3
65.4
PP-8
5.7
25.8
20.0
5.79
2.03
53.6
72.0
73.9
71.5
63.7
70.3
PP-7
5.4
27.4
21.2
6.04
2.10
56.7
73.4
74.1
74.9
69.6
73.0
PP-5
6.2
26.0
20.3
5.81
2.01
54.1
73.9
75.3
75.9
71.2
74.1
PP-4
4.7
25.9
20.6
5.84
2.02
54.4
57.3
60.3
59.7
59.9
59.3
PP-3
7.4
21.8
17.0
4.86
1.71
45.4
70.0
71.7
71.0
71.0
70.9
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".
About SGS
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.
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, metallurgical testing and
results, completion of pilot plant testing, including, but not limited to objectives, processes and results thereof, 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 the Company's ability to operate, failure to maintain community acceptance (including First Nations),
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.
_______________________________
1
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
Corp.'s profile on SEDAR (
www.sedar.com
)
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Todd Hanas, Bluesky Corporate Communications Ltd., Vice President, Investor Relations, Tel: (778) 994
8072, Email: [email protected]
CO: Defense Metals Corp.
CNW 08:30e 13-AUG-20