Defense Metals Announces Inclusion in New Sprott Rare Earths Ex-China ETF
Defense Metals Announces Inclusion in New Sprott Rare Earths
Ex-China ETF
VANCOUVER, BC
,
April 16, 2026
/CNW/ - Defense Metals Corp. ("Defense Metals" or the "Company") (TSXV: DEFN) (OTCQB:
DFMTF) (FSE: 35D), a company focused on the development of the Wicheeda Rare Earth Project ("Wicheeda Project"), located near
Prince George, British Columbia, Canada, is pleased to announce that it has been included in the newly launched Sprott Rare Earth Ex-
China ETF ("ETF" or "REXC"), the only ETF providing focused exposure to rare earths companies outside of China.
"We are very pleased to have met the requirements for inclusion in the new Sprott Rare Earth Ex-China ETF, representing validation of
our success in advancing our Wicheeda ("REE") Project in British Columbia," commented Mark Tory, Defense Metals' President and
CEO. "Inclusion in this new ETF has the potential to attract additional institutional investment into Defense Metals and increase liquidity,
as the ETF is expected to be an important benchmark for investors focused on this critical materials segment of the market."
The Sprott Rare Earths Ex-China ETF is designed to track the performance of global companies engaged in the mining,
separation, refining and production of rare earth elements, while excluding companies domiciled in or primarily operating in China.
About Defense Metals Corp. and the Wicheeda Rare Earth Element Project
Defense Metals Corp. is an advanced rare earth elements ("REE") exploration and development company focused on delivering
strategically critical metals to Western defense, high-technology, and clean energy supply chains. The Company's primary asset is its
100%-owned Wicheeda Rare Earth Element Project, located near Prince George, British Columbia, Canada.
The Wicheeda Project is one of the most advanced undeveloped rare earth deposits in North America or Europe, featuring a robust
mineral resource and mining reserve, as detailed in the Company's 2025 Pre Feasibility Study ("PFS") (refer to Company News
Release April 7
th
, 2025) prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. The
PFS, showed the economic potential of the deposit, supporting future project development.
Defense Metals is committed to advancing the Wicheeda Project through the Feasibility Study stage, permitting, and ultimately into
production, positioning the Company to become a reliable supplier of critical rare earths that are essential to modern defence systems,
advanced manufacturing, and energy-efficient technologies.
The PFS for the Wicheeda Rare Earth Element Project is preliminary in nature and includes numerous assumptions regarding
metallurgy, capital and operating costs, and market conditions.
Mineral reserves and the economic outcomes projected in the PFS are subject to significant uncertainties, and there is no certainty that
the results of the PFS will be realized. Additional studies, including a Definitive Feasibility Study ("DFS") and permitting work, are
required before a production decision can be made.
For further information, please visit
www.defensemetals.com
or contact:
Ali Mahdavi
SVP Corporate Development
Email:
+1.416.962.3300
Mark Tory
President and CEO
Email:
Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) 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, any statements (expressed or implied) relating to: advancing the Wicheeda Project and the proposed debt
settlement. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as "plan," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend,"
"outlook," "estimate," "forecast," "project," "continue," "could," "may," "might," "possible," "potential," "predict," "should," "would" and
other similar words and expressions, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. All
statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events, contribution 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 anticipated costs and expenditures, 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 the risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of exploration and metallurgical
results, risks related to the inherent uncertainty of exploration and development and cost estimates, the potential for unexpected costs
and expenses and those other risks filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ (
www.sedarplus.ca
). 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 and climate conditions, failure to maintain or obtain all necessary government permits, approvals
and authorizations, failure to maintain or obtain community acceptance (including First Nations), risks relating to unanticipated
operational difficulties (including failure of equipment or processes to operate in accordance with specifications or expectations, cost
escalation, unavailability of personnel, materials and equipment, government action or delays in the receipt of government approvals,
industrial disturbances or other job action, and unanticipated events related to health, safety and environmental matters), risks relating
to inaccurate geological, metallurgical, engineering and pricing assumptions, decrease in the price of rare earth elements, the impact of
viruses and diseases on the Company's ability to operate, restriction on labour and international travel and supply chains, loss of key
employees, consultants, officers or directors, increase in costs, delayed results, 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.
View original content to download multimedia:
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/defense-metals-announces-inclusion-in-new-sprott-rare-earths-ex-china-etf-302744624.html
SOURCE Defense Metals Corp.
View original content to download multimedia:
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2026/16/c9963.html
%SEDAR: 00042886E
CO: Defense Metals Corp.
CNW 07:00e 16-APR-26