Defense Metals Drills 3.12% Total Rare Earth Oxide Over 105 Metres and Extends Mineralized Zone at Wicheeda Rare Earth Element Deposit
Defense Metals Drills 3.12% Total Rare Earth
Oxide Over 105 Metres and Extends
Mineralized Zone at Wicheeda Rare Earth
Element Deposit
VANCOUVER
,
Nov. 14, 2019
/CNW/ - Defense Metals Corp. ("Defense Metals") (
DEFN: TSX-V /
DFMTF: OTCQB / 35D: FSE
) announces assay results for an additional three holes from the
recently completed 2019 resource definition diamond drill program at its 1,708 hectare (4,220 acre)
Wicheeda Rare Earth Element (REE) Project located near
Prince George, Canada
.
Drill hole
WI19-22,
a vertical hole and part of a fan of seven holes totalling 966 metres designed to
increase confidence in the geometry of REE mineralized dolomite-carbonatite rocks at a higher
elevation with the deposit, assayed
2.71% Total Rare Earth Oxide
(TREO; being cerium,
lanthanum, neodymium, praseodymium, and samarium oxides (Ce
2
O
3
+La
2
O
3
+Nd
2
O
3
+
Pr
2
O
3
+Sm
2
O
3
)
over a drill core interval of 106 metres
1
(Table 1).
Drill hole
WI19-23
collared from the same drill pad returned an average grade of
3.12% TREO over
a drill core interval of 105 metres
1
,
expanding the eastern drill defined edge of the Wicheeda REE
Deposit a distance of 30 meters beyond the limit of the 2019 Mineral Resource Estimate
2
.
Significantly, much of the WI19-23 mineralized intercept (a 39 metre core interval) also occurs inside
the 2019 Lerchs-Grossman (LG) pit shell within rocks previously defined as waste.
Drill hole
WI19-24
, collared from the same pad and drilled to the southeast returned an average
grade of
2.43
TREO over a drill core interval of 80.1 metres
1
, modestly expanding the eastern
drill defined edge of the Wicheeda REE Deposit a distance of 8 metres and providing an additional
pierce point of the carbonatite envelope as planned.
Table 1: Wicheeda REE Deposit 2019 Diamond Drill Intercepts
Hole ID
Released
From
(m)
To
(m)
Interval
(m)
TREO
(%)
Ce
2
O
3
(%)
La
2
O
3
(%)
Nd
2
O
3
(%)
Pr
2
O
3
(%)
Sm
2
O
3
(%)
WI19-20
October 31,
2019 News
Release
4.6
68.8
64.2
4.32
2.10
1.54
0.46
0.18
0.04
WI19-21
3.9
114
110.1
3.26
1.57
1.16
0.36
0.14
0.04
WI19-22
Current
News
Release
7
113
106
2.71
1.31
0.98
0.28
0.11
0.03
WI19-23
4
109
105
3.12
1.49
1.14
0.34
0.13
0.03
WI19-24
2.9
83
80.1
2.43
1.18
0.83
0.29
0.10
0.03
Craig Taylor
, CEO and President of Defense Metals Corp., commented,
"
We are extremely pleased
with the results from these three additional drill holes, in particular WI19-23 which intersected REE
mineralized carbonatite rocks outside the 2019 mineral resource envelope. The fact that much of
the REE mineralization intersected in hole WI19-23 also occurs within the 2019 LG pit shell within
rocks previously defend as waste is anticipated to have a positive impact on our future updated
Mineral Resource Estimate. We look forward to releasing additional drill holes as assay results are
received, some of which also intersected visible REE mineralized carbonatite rocks outside the
2019 resource model and LG pit shell. Defense Metals is very much encouraged by the potential
of these, and the remaining, drill holes have to add significant value to the Wicheeda REE Project."
The 2019 Wicheeda REE Deposit resource definition drill program comprised 13 diamond drill holes
totalling 2,005 metres that were completed from three separate drill pads, designed to test the
northern, southern and western extent of the Wicheeda deposit where it remains open, and to
further delineate the relatively higher-grade, near surface dolomite carbonatite unit.
Drill hole WI19-22 (-90
o
dip) is a vertical hole collared at a higher elevation and part of a cluster of
seven holes totalling 966 metres designed to increase confidence in the geometry of REE
mineralized dolomite-carbonatite rocks at higher elevations within the deposit. Hole WI19-22
intersected REE mineralized carbonatite from a depth of 7.00 metres to a downhole depth of 113.00
metres with medium- to coarse-grained visible REE minerals (monazite and synchysite/parisite)
forming millimetre to centimetre-scale aggregates interstitial to coarse-grained dolomite.
Drill hole WI19-23 (-45
o
dip / 100
o
azimuth), collared from the same site as WI19-22 and drilled
east, was successful in expanding the drill defined edge of the Wicheeda Deposit a distance of 30
meters beyond the limit of the 2019 Mineral Resource Estimate. Similar to the first hole, WI19-21
intersected REE mineralized carbonatite containing visible REE mineralization from a depth of 4.0
metres to a downhole depth of 109 metres, with medium to coarse grained visible REE minerals
(monazite and synchysite/parisite) observed throughout the interval.
Drill hole WI19-24 (-45
o
dip / 140
o
azimuth), collared from the same site as WI19-22 and drilled
southeast, was successful in expanding the drill defined edge of the Wicheeda REE Deposit a
distance of 8 meters beyond the limit of the 2019 Mineral Resource Estimate. WI19-21 intersected
REE mineralized carbonatite containing visible REE mineralization from the start of sampling at 2.9
metres to a downhole depth of 83 metres.
Defense Metals looks forward to receipt of assay results for the remaining 8 drill holes within the
coming weeks and will provide additional updates as they are received.
1
The true width of REE mineralization is estimated to be 70-100% of the drilled interval
2
The Wicheeda REE Deposit Mineral Resource comprises an Inferred Mineral Resource of 11,370,000 tonnes averaging 1.96% LREE (Light Rare Earth Elements) reported at a cut-
off grade of 1.0% LREE (sum of cerium, lanthanum, neodymium and samarium percentages). The resource is classified according to the CIM "Estimation of Mineral Resources and
Mineral Reserves Best Practice Guidelines" dated November 23rd, 2003 and CIM "Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves" dated May 10th, 2014. Details
with respect to the Mineral Resource Estimate are summarized in the Defense's NI 43-101 technical report titled "Wicheeda Rare Earth Element Project, British Columbia, Canada"
effective date of June 20, 2019 available on SEDAR at
www.sedar.com
Figure 1: Oblique View Wicheeda Deposit 2019 Diamond Drill (CNW Group/Defense Metals Corp.)
Methodology and QA/QC
The analytical work reported on herein was performed by ALS Canada Ltd. (ALS) at
Kamloops
(sample preparation) and
Vancouver
(ICP-MS fusion), B.C. ALS is an ISO-IEC 17025:2017 and ISO
9001:2015 accredited geoanalytical laboratory and is independent of the Defense Metals and the
QP. Drill core samples were subject to crushing at a minimum of 70% passing 2 mm, followed by
pulverizing of a 250 gram split to 85% passing 75 microns. A 0.1 gram sample pulp was then subject
to multi-element ICP-MS analysis via lithium-borate fusion to determine individual REE content (ME-
MS81h). Defense Metals follows industry standard procedures for the work carried out on the
Wicheeda Project, with a quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) program. Blank, duplicate and
standard samples were inserted into the sample sequence sent to the laboratory for analysis.
Defense Metals detected no significant QA/QC issues during review of the data. 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.
Qualified Person
The scientific and technical information contained in this news release as it relates to the Wicheeda
Rare Earth Element Project 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.
About Defense Metals Corp.
Defense Metals 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, light weight, rare
earth magnets. Defense Metals' primary focus is to exercise its option to acquire 100% of the 1,708
hectare Wicheeda Rare Earth Element Project. Defense Metals Corp. trades in
Canada
under
"DEFN" on the TSX Venture Exchange,
the United States
, under "DFMTF" on the OTCQB and the
German, Frankfurt Exchange under the symbol of "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, assays, drill results, expectations for an expanded
resource, other statements relating to the technical, financial and business prospects of Defense
Metals, 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", "should", "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, 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.
SOURCE
Defense Metals Corp.
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For further information:
please visit https://defensemetals.com/ or contact: Todd Hanas, Bluesky
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CO: Defense Metals Corp.
CNW 08:00e 14-NOV-19