Defense Metals Receives Final Wicheeda REE Pilot Plant Report From SGS
Defense Metals Receives Final Wicheeda REE Pilot Plant
Report From SGS
VANCOUVER, BC
,
Sept. 23, 2020
/CNW/ - Defense Metals Corp. ("
Defense Metals
") (TSX-V: DEFN) (OTCQB: DFMTF) (FSE:
35D) is pleased to announce it has received the final report from SGS Canada Inc. ("
SGS
") 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
.
With respect to the results of the Wicheeda pilot plant, SGS stated: "
The recent Wicheeda flotation pilot plant at SGS Lakefield
resoundingly achieved its primary goals to validate the laboratory flowsheet at pilot plant scale, to provide data for engineering
design, and to generate high grade REO concentrate. Significant opportunities for improvement remain; including further
investigation of the effects of reduced pulp temperature and reagent additions, which may provide opportunities for potential
future process-cost savings..."
The goals of the flotation pilot plant program were to validate the flowsheet developed during previous test-work on this deposit in
2019 at pilot plant scale, to provide data for engineering design, and to generate high grade REO (Rare Earth Oxide) concentrate.
The major findings of the flotation laboratory test work are summarized as follows:
Average REO recovery was 77.3%, in concentrate grading 51.6% TREO
(Total Rare Earth Oxide) with a
mass pull of
7.0%
from pilot runs PP14 to PP16C (the confirmatory stages of the pilot plant;
Table 1
).
The major changes made in the pilot plant flowsheet compared with the benchmarking test work
flowsheet were:
removal of the 1
st
cleaner scavenger, removal of the 3
rd
cleaner,
reduction of F220 dosage by ~46%, and reduction of
sodium fluorosilicate dosage by ~40%
with no significant impact on the flotation performance. The final flowsheet is
presented in
Figure 1
.
Metallurgical performance when conditioning at low temperature
(70°C) was found to be comparable to that when
conditioning at high temperature (80-85°C).
Higher pulp density
(high percent solids, ~30%) was
beneficial for improving the flotation recovery
and maintaining a
good froth stability.
The completion of pilot plant test work led to several important areas for further study that have the potential to improve
metallurgical performance and reduce energy and reagent inputs leading to potential future process-cost savings; including:
Confirm the performance
of the flotation circuit at lower pulp temperature (e.g. 60°C).
Further evaluate the effect of high-density conditioning, which can potentially provide significant cost savings on pulp heating.
Craig Taylor
, CEO of Defense Metals, stated: "
The success of the flotation pilot and 1,200 kilograms of high grade REE
concentrate produced places Defense Metals and the Wicheeda REE Deposit among rare company, and opens the door to future
hydrometallurgical pilot trials at SGS, with the ultimate goal of producing a Nd-Pr oxide product stream.
"
Table 1. Confirmatory Stage Flotation Pilot Plant Results
Weight
Assay %
% Distribution (Recovery)
Pilot Run
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
Recovery %
%
PP-16C
7.1
25.7
20.0
5.7
2.0
53.5
77.0
78.3
77.0
78.1
77.6
PP-16A
7.4
24.2
18.6
5.4
1.9
50.1
77.4
78.2
76.4
83.8
79.0
PP-15D
7.3
23.9
18.4
5.3
1.8
49.4
79.9
81.3
82.0
82.7
81.5
PP-15C
6.8
26.4
20.2
5.8
2.0
54.4
78.7
80.4
81.4
76.0
79.1
PP-15B
6.3
24.8
18.9
5.4
1.9
51.0
69.3
70.9
69.9
68.5
69.6
PP-14
6.8
24.8
19.1
5.5
1.9
51.3
76.5
78.5
77.9
74.3
76.8
Average
7.0
25.0
19.2
5.5
1.9
51.6
76.5
77.9
77.4
77.2
77.3
Minimum
6.3
23.9
18.4
5.3
1.8
49.4
69.3
70.9
69.9
68.5
69.6
Maximum
7.4
26.4
20.2
5.8
2.0
54.4
79.9
81.3
82.0
83.8
81.5
Stdev
0.4
0.9
0.7
0.2
0.1
1.9
3.7
3.7
4.3
5.7
4.1
Figure 1. Flotation Pilot Plant Flowsheet (CNW Group/Defense Metals Corp.)
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 laboratory. 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, future metallurgical testing
and results, future hydrometallurgical trials at SGS with the ultimate goal of producing a NdPr oxide product stream, 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),
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.
______________________
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
)
View original content to download multimedia:
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/defense-metals-receives-final-wicheeda-ree-pilot-plant-report-from-sgs-301136728.html
SOURCE
Defense Metals Corp.
View original content to download multimedia:
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/September2020/23/c2695.html
%SEDAR: 00042886E
For further information:
Todd Hanas, Bluesky Corporate Communications Ltd., Vice President, Investor Relations, Tel: (778) 994
8072, Email: [email protected]
CO: Defense Metals Corp.
CNW 09:15e 23-SEP-20