Defense Metals (TSX-V: $DEFN.V) (OTCQB: $DFMTF)
Expands Mineral Resource Estimate to 4 million
tonne Measured Mineral Resource, averaging 2.86% Total #RareEarth Oxide; @defensemetals
Vancouver, British Columbia – September 13, 2023: Investorideas.com Newswire, -Mining/Metals/
Green Energy Stock news- Defense Metals
Corp. (“Defense Metals” or the “Company”) (TSX-V:DEFN / OTCQB:DFMTF/ 35D: FSE) is pleased to announce an updated Mineral Resource Estimate
(the 2023 MRE) for the development of its Wicheeda Rare Earth Element (REE)
deposit located in British Columbia, Canada.
Read this news
featuring DEFN in full and see images at https://www.investorideas.com/news/2023/mining/09131DEFN-Expands-Mineral-Resource.asp
Highlights
of the 2023 Wicheeda REE Deposit Mineral Resource Estimate
·
6.4 million tonne Measured Mineral Resource,
averaging 2.86% Total Rare Earth Oxide (TREO[1]);
·
a 27.8 million tonne Indicated Mineral
Resource, averaging 1.84 % TREO;
·
and an 11.1 million tonne Inferred
Mineral Resource, averaging 1.02% TREO,
all reported at a cut-off grade of 0.5% TREO within a
conceptual open pit shell;
·
Total Measured and Indicated (M+I)
Mineral Resources of 34.2 million tonnes, averaging 2.02% TREO, is a
significant upgrade representing a conversion of 101% of the 2021 MRE
comprising some indicated and mostly inferred resources (see Defense Metals’
news release of November 24, 2021) to M+I on a contained metal basis;
·
Measured and Indicated resources are
inclusive of 17.8 million tonnes of dolomite carbonatite, averaging 2.92% TREO;
·
The 2023 MRE represents a 17% increase
in TREO on a contained metal basis, or 31% tonnage increase, in comparison to
the prior 2021 MRE.
·
The 2023 MRE is based on an updated
geological model that incorporates an additional 10,350 metres of drillhole
data, from 45 holes drilled by Defense Metals during 2021 and 2022.
Craig Taylor, CEO of Defense Metals, stated, “Defense
Metals is excited to release our updated mineral resource estimate for the
Wicheeda Deposit, one of North Americas most advanced Rare Earth development
projects. With over 10,000 metres of additional drilling completed since our
2021 mineral resource we have now converted 100% of the that resource to the
measured and indicated categories, in addition to growing the overall resource
by 17%. Importantly, we believe the upgrading of resources now demonstrates
that we have established the tonnage and grades necessary to carry forward into
our ongoing preliminary feasibility study.”
The
effective date of the 2023 MRE is August 28, 2023, and a technical report
relating to the PEA will be filed on SEDAR within 45 days of this news release.
The 2023 MRE was prepared by APEX Geoscience Ltd. (APEX).
2023
Mineral Resource
The
Wicheeda REE deposit is a southeast-trending, north to northeast dipping
syenite-carbonatite intrusive complex having dimensions of approximately 450 m
north-south by 250 m east-west which intrudes a mixed sedimentary host rock
package (limestone). Relatively high REE grade dolomite-carbonatite rocks,
which outcrop at surface, and form the main body of REE mineralization are
surrounded by an envelope of intermediate REE grade hybrid
xenolithic-carbonatite rocks that intrude lower REE grade syenite.
The
2023 MRE comprises a 6.4 million tonne Measured Mineral Resource, averaging
2.86% TREO CeO2, La2O3,
Nd2O3, Pr6O11, Sm2O3, Eu2O3,
Gd2O3, Tb4O7, Dy2O3
and Ho2O3); 27.8 million tonne Indicated Mineral
Indicated Resource, averaging 1.84% TREO; and 11.1 million tonne Inferred
Mineral Resource, averaging 1.02% TREO, reported at a cut-off grade of 0.5%
TREO within a conceptual Pseudoflow algorithm open pit shell; see Table 1 and
Figure
1.
The
2023 MRE is based on an updated geological model incorporating an additional
10,350 metres of drilling within 45 holes drilled by Defense Metals during 2021
and 2022.
Table
1:
Wicheeda Mineral Resource (effective date August 28, 2023)
Category |
Tonnes |
TREO |
TREO |
CeO2 |
La2O3 |
Pr6O11 |
Nd2O3 |
Sm2O3 |
Gd2O3 |
Eu2O3 |
Dy2O3 |
Tb4O7 |
Ho2O3 |
(Million) |
(%) |
(kt) |
(%) |
(%) |
(%) |
(%) |
(ppm) |
(ppm) |
(ppm) |
(ppm) |
(ppm) |
(ppm) |
|
Measured |
6.4 |
2.86 |
183 |
1.39 |
1.00 |
0.11 |
0.31 |
312 |
139 |
63 |
35 |
12 |
4 |
Indicated |
27.8 |
1.84 |
516 |
0.89 |
0.62 |
0.07 |
0.21 |
232 |
111 |
50 |
32 |
10 |
4 |
M&I |
34.2 |
2.02 |
699 |
0.98 |
0.69 |
0.08 |
0.23 |
247 |
116 |
52 |
32 |
10 |
4 |
Inferred |
11.1 |
1.02 |
113 |
0.50 |
0.31 |
0.04 |
0.13 |
166 |
91 |
38 |
35 |
9 |
5 |
Notes for
Resource Table:
·
The 2023 MRE is classified according to the CIM
“Estimation of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves Best Practice Guidelines”
dated November 29th, 2019 and CIM “Definition Standards for Mineral
Resources and Mineral Reserves” dated May 10th, 2014.
·
The 2023 MRE was prepared by Warren Black, M.Sc.,
P.Geo. and Tyler Acorn, M.Sc., of APEX Geoscience Ltd under the
supervision of the QP, Michael Dufresne, M.Sc., P.Geo. in accordance with CIM
Definition Standards.
·
Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do
not have demonstrated economic viability. There has been insufficient
exploration to allow for the classification of the indicated and inferred
resources tabulated as a measured mineral resource; however, it is reasonably
expected that the majority of the indicated and inferred mineral resources
could be upgraded to measured or indicated mineral resources with continued
exploration. There is no guarantee that any part of the mineral resources
discussed herein will be converted to a mineral reserve in the future.
·
All figures are rounded to reflect the relative
accuracy of the estimates. Totals may not sum due to rounding.
·
Median rock densities are supported by 8,075
measurements applied: 2.95 g/cm3 (mineralized dolomite-carbonatite),
2.90 g/cm3 (unmineralized dolomite-carbonatite), 2.85 g/cm3 (mineralized
xenolithic-carbonatite), 2.76 g/cm3 (unmineralized xenolithic-carbonatite),
2.73 g/cm3 (syenite), and 2.76 g/cm3 (limestone).
·
The reasonable prospect for eventual economic
extraction is met by reporting the Mineral Resources at a cut-off grade of
0.50% TREO (total rare earth oxide, sum of 10 oxides:
CeO2, La2O3, Nd2O3, Pr6O11, Sm2O3,
Eu2O3, Gd2O3,
Tb4O7, Dy2O3 and Ho2O3), contained
within an optimized open pit shell.
·
The cut-off grade is calculated, and the open pit
shell is optimized based on the assumption that the hydrometallurgical
processing can produce mixed REE carbonate precipitates. The parameters
utilized, as in the 2021 MRE, include the following considerations:
•
TREO price: $18.66/kg
•
Exchange rate of 1.30 C$:US$
•
Precipitate production grades of 81.09% of TREO
•
Processing costs include $21.47/t of mill feed for
flotation plus a variable cost for hydrometallurgical plant that varies based
on the feed grade. The average cost of hydrometallurgical plant is assumed to
be $1,204/t of concentrate.
•
Mining cost of C$2.00/t for mill feed and waste
•
G&A Costs of C$3.33/t for mill feed.
•
The overall process recoveries: For TREO>=2.3%,
recovery is 69.6%; between 2.3% and 1.5% TREO, recovery is 65.3%; and less than
1.5% TREO, recovery is 52.2%. These assume variable flotation recoveries and a
constant 87% hydrometallurgical recovery.
•
Overall pit slope angles vary by zone between 40
and 48 degrees.
Figure
1: Cross Section of the Wicheeda RE Deposits 2023 MRE
The
2023 MRE for the Wicheeda REE Deposit includes inferred mineral resources that
are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations
applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves.
Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated
economic viability.
Mineral Resource Estimate
Methodology
1.
The
drillhole database comprised of drilling that intersected the estimation
domains consists of 14 exploration diamond drillholes (totalling 2,107 meters)
completed in 2008 and 2009 by Spectrum Mining and 58 exploration core
drillholes during 2019, 2021 and 2022 by Defense Metals (totalling 12,073
metres), providing a total of 4,903 drill core samples analyzed for REE by
multi-element fusion ICP-MS.
2.
The 3D
geological modeling integrates assay and geological data collected from diamond
core drilling; surface geologic mapping; soil geochemical; and airborne
magnetic and radiometric geophysical surveys.
3.
Ordinary
kriging is employed to estimate metal concentrations using a three-step pass
search strategy guided by domain-specific variography. The estimates utilize
capped composites with a 3-meter length.
4. Measured Resources are
categorized within a search ellipse of 35 m by 30 m by 15 m with a minimum of 3
drillholes. Indicated Resources are categorized within a search ellipse of 90 m
by 60 m by 30 m with a minimum of 3 drillholes. Inferred Resources are
categorized within a search ellipse of 120 m by 120 m by 30 m with a minimum of
2 drillholes.
Table
2:
Mineral Resource cut-off sensitivity
Category |
Cut-off |
Tonnes1 |
TREO2 |
TREO |
CeO2 |
La2O3 |
Pr6O11 |
Nd2O3 |
Sm2O3 |
Gd2O3 |
Eu2O3 |
Dy2O3 |
Tb4O7 |
Ho2O3 |
TREO
(%)2 |
(Million) |
(%) |
(kt) |
(%) |
(%) |
(%) |
(%) |
(ppm) |
(ppm) |
(ppm) |
(ppm) |
(ppm) |
(ppm) |
|
Measured |
0.25 |
6.7 |
2.74 |
184 |
1.33 |
0.96 |
0.11 |
0.29 |
301 |
136 |
61 |
36 |
12 |
4 |
0.5 |
6.4 |
2.86 |
183 |
1.39 |
1.00 |
0.11 |
0.31 |
312 |
139 |
63 |
35 |
12 |
4 |
|
0.75 |
6.3 |
2.90 |
182 |
1.41 |
1.01 |
0.11 |
0.31 |
315 |
140 |
64 |
35 |
12 |
4 |
|
1 |
6.2 |
2.93 |
182 |
1.42 |
1.02 |
0.11 |
0.31 |
318 |
141 |
64 |
35 |
12 |
4 |
|
1.5 |
5.9 |
3.01 |
178 |
1.46 |
1.05 |
0.12 |
0.32 |
324 |
143 |
65 |
35 |
12 |
4 |
|
2 |
5.2 |
3.18 |
165 |
1.54 |
1.12 |
0.12 |
0.34 |
338 |
148 |
68 |
37 |
12 |
4 |
|
2.5 |
4.1 |
3.43 |
140 |
1.66 |
1.21 |
0.13 |
0.36 |
358 |
157 |
72 |
38 |
13 |
4 |
|
Indicated |
0.25 |
36.1 |
1.49 |
546 |
0.72 |
0.50 |
0.06 |
0.17 |
197 |
98 |
43 |
31 |
9 |
4 |
0.5 |
27.8 |
1.84 |
516 |
0.89 |
0.62 |
0.07 |
0.21 |
232 |
111 |
50 |
32 |
10 |
4 |
|
0.75 |
23.0 |
2.10 |
487 |
1.02 |
0.71 |
0.08 |
0.24 |
257 |
120 |
54 |
32 |
10 |
4 |
|
1 |
19.5 |
2.33 |
456 |
1.13 |
0.79 |
0.09 |
0.26 |
277 |
128 |
58 |
33 |
11 |
4 |
|
1.5 |
13.9 |
2.78 |
387 |
1.35 |
0.96 |
0.11 |
0.30 |
312 |
141 |
64 |
34 |
12 |
4 |
|
2 |
10.3 |
3.15 |
324 |
1.53 |
1.10 |
0.12 |
0.34 |
339 |
151 |
69 |
36 |
12 |
4 |
|
2.5 |
7.6 |
3.46 |
264 |
1.68 |
1.21 |
0.14 |
0.37 |
363 |
161 |
74 |
38 |
13 |
4 |
|
Inferred |
0.25 |
21.8 |
0.70 |
153 |
0.34 |
0.21 |
0.03 |
0.09 |
126 |
75 |
30 |
34 |
8 |
5 |
|
0.5 |
11.1 |
1.02 |
113 |
0.50 |
0.31 |
0.04 |
0.13 |
166 |
91 |
38 |
35 |
9 |
5 |
|
0.75 |
5.9 |
1.39 |
81 |
0.68 |
0.44 |
0.06 |
0.17 |
206 |
103 |
45 |
33 |
9 |
4 |
|
1 |
3.6 |
1.72 |
62 |
0.85 |
0.55 |
0.07 |
0.21 |
240 |
116 |
51 |
35 |
10 |
4 |
|
1.5 |
1.7 |
2.26 |
39 |
1.12 |
0.74 |
0.09 |
0.26 |
289 |
136 |
60 |
37 |
11 |
4 |
|
2 |
1.0 |
2.62 |
27 |
1.29 |
0.87 |
0.11 |
0.29 |
317 |
148 |
65 |
41 |
12 |
5 |
|
2.5 |
0.5 |
3.03 |
14 |
1.49 |
1.02 |
0.12 |
0.33 |
335 |
156 |
69 |
44 |
13 |
5 |
Notes
1. 1 Tonnes constrained within
an open pit shell.
2.
2 TREO %
sum of CeO2, La2O3, Nd2O3,
Pr6O11, Sm2O3, Eu2O3,
Gd2O3, Tb4O7, Dy2O3
and Ho2O3.
3. Grades are reported as
in-situ grades.
Table 2 above illustrates the
sensitivity of the 2023 MRE to different cut-off grades for a potential
open-pit operation scenario with reasonable outlook for economic extraction.
The reader is cautioned that the figures provided in these tables should not be
interpreted as a statement of mineral resources. Quantities and estimated
grades for different cut-off grades are presented for the sole purpose of
demonstrating the sensitivity of the resource model to cut-off grade.
Table 3: Wicheeda Mineral
Resource by Lithology (cut-off grade of 0.5% TREO)
Lithology |
Category |
Tonnes |
TREO |
TREO |
CeO2 |
La2O3 |
Pr6O11 |
Nd2O3 |
Sm2O3 |
Gd2O3 |
Eu2O3 |
Dy2O3 |
Tb4O7 |
Ho2O3 |
(Million) |
(%) |
(kt) |
(%) |
(%) |
(%) |
(%) |
(ppm) |
(ppm) |
(ppm) |
(ppm) |
(ppm) |
(ppm) |
||
Dolomite
Carbonatite |
Measured |
5.9 |
2.98 |
177 |
1.44 |
1.04 |
0.12 |
0.32 |
320 |
142 |
65 |
35 |
12 |
4 |
Indicated |
11.8 |
2.88 |
342 |
1.40 |
1.01 |
0.11 |
0.31 |
315 |
141 |
64 |
34 |
12 |
4 |
|
M&I |
17.8 |
2.92 |
519 |
1.41 |
1.02 |
0.11 |
0.31 |
316 |
141 |
64 |
34 |
12 |
4 |
|
Inferred |
0.6 |
2.66 |
15 |
1.30 |
0.91 |
0.11 |
0.29 |
281 |
134 |
60 |
37 |
11 |
4 |
|
Xenolithic-Dolomite
Carbonatite |
Measured |
0.3 |
1.43 |
5 |
0.69 |
0.46 |
0.06 |
0.17 |
209 |
107 |
47 |
35 |
10 |
5 |
Indicated |
11.6 |
1.22 |
142 |
0.59 |
0.38 |
0.05 |
0.15 |
188 |
95 |
42 |
30 |
9 |
4 |
|
M&I |
12.0 |
1.22 |
147 |
0.60 |
0.39 |
0.05 |
0.15 |
189 |
95 |
42 |
30 |
9 |
4 |
|
Inferred |
4.0 |
1.28 |
51 |
0.63 |
0.40 |
0.05 |
0.16 |
198 |
98 |
43 |
32 |
9 |
4 |
|
Syenite |
Measured |
0.1 |
0.81 |
1 |
0.39 |
0.26 |
0.03 |
0.10 |
138 |
84 |
34 |
32 |
9 |
5 |
Indicated |
4.1 |
0.74 |
31 |
0.36 |
0.22 |
0.03 |
0.10 |
132 |
73 |
31 |
28 |
7 |
4 |
|
M&I |
4.2 |
0.74 |
31 |
0.36 |
0.22 |
0.03 |
0.10 |
132 |
73 |
31 |
28 |
7 |
4 |
|
Inferred |
5.8 |
0.73 |
42 |
0.36 |
0.21 |
0.03 |
0.10 |
136 |
78 |
33 |
33 |
8 |
5 |
|
Limestone |
Measured |
0.0 |
1.05 |
0 |
0.49 |
0.34 |
0.05 |
0.13 |
178 |
120 |
43 |
63 |
14 |
10 |
Indicated |
0.2 |
0.81 |
1 |
0.38 |
0.25 |
0.03 |
0.11 |
156 |
117 |
41 |
62 |
14 |
10 |
|
M&I |
0.2 |
0.83 |
2 |
0.39 |
0.26 |
0.03 |
0.11 |
157 |
117 |
41 |
63 |
14 |
10 |
|
Inferred |
0.7 |
0.73 |
5 |
0.34 |
0.22 |
0.03 |
0.09 |
143 |
111 |
39 |
70 |
14 |
11 |
Table 3 above illustrates the 2023 MRE by lithology
which illustrates the relatively high REE grade nature of the dominant dolomite
carbonatite unit, intermediate grade xenolithic dolomite carbonate rocks and
lower grade syenite and limestone lithologies peripheral to the main body of
the Wicheeda REE Deposit.
Qualified Persons
The
scientific and technical information contained in this news release as it
relates to the Wicheeda REE 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 NI 43-101. Mr. Raffle verified the data disclosed
which includes a review of the analytical and test data underlying the
information and opinions contained therein.
About the Wicheeda
REE Property
Defense Metals 100% owned, 6,759-hectare
(~16,702-acre) Wicheeda Project is located approximately 80 km northeast of the
city of Prince George, British Columbia, Canada; population 77,000. The
Wicheeda Project is readily accessible by all-weather gravel roads and is near
infrastructure, including hydropower transmission lines and gas pipelines. The
nearby Canadian National Railway and major highways allow easy access to the
deep-water port facilities at Prince Rupert, the closest major North American
port to Asia.
About
Defense Metals Corp.
Defense Metals Corp. is a mineral
exploration and development company focused on the development of its 100%
owned Wicheeda Rare Earth Element Deposit 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”.
Defense Metals is a proud member of
Discovery Group. For more information please visit:
National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report
A technical report for the Wicheeda Project
will be prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 and will be
filed on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Defense Metals’ website within 45 days of this news
release. Readers are encouraged to read the technical report in its entirety,
including all qualifications, assumptions and exclusions that relate to the
details summarized in this news release. The technical report is intended to be
read as a whole, and sections should not be read or relied upon out of context.
For
further information, please contact:
Todd Hanas, Bluesky
Corporate Communications Ltd.
Vice President, Investor
Relations
Tel: (778) 994 8072
Email: todd@blueskycorp.ca
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.
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, statements relating to completion of the PFS and the expected
timelines, the completion of the environmental tests on flotation and
hydrometallurgical and the expected timelines, advancing the Wicheeda REE
Project, the technical, financial and business prospects of the Company, its
project and other matters. All statements in this news release, other than
statements of historical facts, that address events 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 at www.sedar.com. 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 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 and engineering assumptions, decrease in the price of
rare earth elements, the impact of Covid-19 or other viruses and diseases on
the Company's ability to operate, an inability to predict and counteract the
effects of COVID-19 on the business of the Company, including but not limited
to, the effects of COVID-19 on the price of commodities, capital market
conditions, restriction on labour and international travel and supply chains,
loss of key employees, consultants, 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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