Defense Metals Settles Debt with Hatch Through Equity
DEFENSE METALS SETTLES DEBT WITH HATCH
THROUGH EQUITY
VANCOUVER, BC
,
July 28, 2025
/CNW/ - Defense Metals Corp. ("Defense Metals" or the "Company" (TSXV:
DEFN) (OTCQB: DFMTF) (FSE: 35D) announces that it has entered into a shares-for-debt settlement agreement
(the "Agreement") with Hatch Ltd. ("Hatch") in connection with outstanding debt related to engineering services
previously provided to the Company.
Pursuant to the Agreement, Defense Metals will settle an aggregate of
$
846,547.31 in outstanding payables owed
to Hatch through the issuance of 5,290,920 common shares at a deemed price of
$0.16
per share (the "Settlement
Shares"). In addition, the Company will issue to Hatch 2,645,460 common share purchase warrants (each, a
"Warrant"), representing one-half Warrant for each Settlement Share. Each Warrant will entitle Hatch to purchase
one additional common share of the Company at a price of
$0.21
per share for a period of 36 months from the
date of issuance.
Discussions with Hatch have revolved around pricing this agreement on the same terms as the company's previous
raising as announced on
May 21, 2025
(that was
15 cents
with a half warrant at an exercise price of
20 cents
).
However, given the share price appreciation, there are regulations that state a maximum discount of 25% is
allowed, therefore the pricing agreed as above.
The Settlement Shares and Warrants will be subject to a six-month hold period in accordance with the Agreement.
As part of the transaction, Defense Metals and Hatch have also entered into a
side letter
agreement
whereby
Defense Metals has indicated its intention to engage Hatch to provide engineering and related services for the full
feasibility study on the Company's 100%-owned Wicheeda Rare Earth Element Project in
British Columbia
,
subject
to the parties reaching agreement on commercially acceptable terms
.
This side letter reflects the Company's
commitment to working with top-tier engineering partners as it progresses toward full project development.
Mark Tory
, President & CEO of Defense Metals, commented:
"We are pleased to be strengthening our
relationship with Hatch, a globally respected engineering firm. Their willingness to accept equity demonstrates
their positive view of the Wicheeda Project and confidence in its future. We look forward to continuing our
collaboration as we move toward the next phase of technical studies."
The shares-for-debt transaction and issuance of Warrants are subject to the final approval of the TSX Venture
Exchange.
About Defense Metals Corp. and its Wicheeda REE Deposit
Defense Metals Corp. is focused on the development of its 100% owned, 11,800-hectare (~29,158-acre)
Wicheeda Rare Earth Element (REE) property that is located on the traditional territory of the McLeod Lake Indian
Band in
British Columbia, Canada
.
The Wicheeda Project, approximately 80 kilometres (~50 miles) northeast of the city of
Prince George
, is readily
accessible by a paved highway and all-weather gravel roads and is close to infrastructure, including hydro power
transmission lines and gas pipelines. The nearby Canadian National Railway and major highways allow easy access
to the port facilities at
Prince Rupert
, the closest major North American port to
Asia
. The Company recently
completed a Preliminary Feasibility Study (PFS) that demonstrated the robust economics of the project.
For further information, please visit
www.defensemetals.com
or contact:
Mark Tory
President and CEO
Tel: +1 604-445-8179
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 agreement. 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.
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CNW 07:00e 28-JUL-25