VANCOUVER, BC, Oct. 10,
2023 /CNW/ - Defense Metals Corp. ("Defense
Metals" or the "Company") (TSX-V:DEFN) (OTCQB:DFMTF)
(FSE:35D) is extremely pleased to report the most recent results of
the extensive comminution and beneficiation test work that has been
conducted by SGS Canada Inc. in Lakefield, Ontario ("SGS") on
variability samples from the Wicheeda Rare Earth deposit.
Craig Taylor, CEO of Defense
Metals, stated: "Our recent results shows that the
Wicheeda feedstock can be crushed, ground and floated to produce a
rare earth flotation product with similar or better recoveries and
grades to the top producers globally. Our project has many
favorable conditions for success: mineralogy, metallurgy,
infrastructure, and community collaboration further supporting a
path to production."
Beneficiation Results
- A total of 90 open-circuit flotation tests, using 1 or 2 kg of
feed, were conducted on seventeen individual variability samples,
various composites and blends. Considering all open-circuit
flotation tests, at a feed grade of 3% TREO (Total Rare Earth
Oxide), the best fit line indicated 80% recovery to a 45% TREO
concentrate. Closed circuit operations, as practised in flotation
plants, can be expected to deliver higher recovery and grade.
- In addition to the smaller-scale tests, 29 bulk flotation tests
using 10 or 12 kg charges were completed to both further optimize
parameters and generate 16 kg of 46% TREO content with a
recovery of 78% for use as feed for hydrometallurgical
tests.
- Very favourable results were obtained in a locked cycle test on
a deposit composite giving a recovery rate of 85% of the
rare earths at a concentrate grade of 50.7% TREO.
The beneficiation tests were aimed at confirming the reagent
suite and operating parameters developed in earlier testwork and in
the 2020 flotation pilot plant operated on a 26t bulk sample.
The variability samples responded well to the flowsheet and the
selected reagent suite and operating regimes (temperature,
density). Details of the testwork are provided below.
Comminution Results
- SMC and Bond comminution tests were complete on all variability
samples. The recent work confirms, and significantly expands on,
the data obtained during the 2020 pilot plant work.
- The data indicate that grinding energy will be relatively low,
in particular in the upper portions of the deposit when the softer
dolomitic carbonatite (DC) material, with a Bond ball mill
work index of 9 kWh/t, is the majority of the potential mill
feed.
- Autogenous or semi-autogenous grinding system followed by a
ball mill will be very satisfactory for the Wicheeda comminution
plant.
John Goode, Consulting
Metallurgist to the Company, commented: "SGS has performed a
very thorough investigation of the comminution and beneficiation
characteristics of a wide variety of samples from the Wicheeda
deposit. The new results are close to those reported earlier and
used in previous studies. Grinding energy requirements have
been shown to be relatively low and flotation recovery and
concentrate grades are high and very favourable."
Methodology
The three key rare earth-bearing lithologies in the Wicheeda
deposit are, (1) the higher-grade dolomite carbonatite
("DC") which makes up 73% of the deposit, (2) the xenolithic
carbonatite ("XE") that represents 24% of the deposit, and
(3) the syenite ("SYN"). Based on its near surface location,
the DC material is expected to comprise the majority of
the mill feed and the XE and SYN lithologies deeper in the
deposit mined later. The primary rare earths minerals are monazite,
bastnäsite and synchysite/parisite.
The comminution and beneficiation tests were done at SGS by a
team headed by Dr. Jing Liu, Senior
Metallurgist. Test material comprised a 260 kg Master Composite and
seventeen variability samples, each nominally 36 kg, prepared from
drill core and representing the three main lithologies in the
Wicheeda deposit. The variability samples were selected to
cover the three dominant lithologies, a range of grades (1.1% to
4.5% TREO), depths (7 m to
221 m down-hole), and locations in
the deposit, (for additional results on different grades and
lithologies please see news release dated October 11, 2022 and February 14, 2023). Extensive
mineralogy was completed on the samples and test products to better
define the deposit and process results.
A total of 90 open-circuit flotation tests, using 1 or 2 kg of
feed, were conducted on a DC composite, xenolithic and syenite
composites, the individual variability samples, the Master
Composite and various other composites and blends. At a feed grade
of 3%, the best fit line indicates 80% recovery to a 45% TREO
concentrate. Closed circuit operations, as in a flotation
plant, would deliver higher recovery and grade. The
lower-grade XE and SYN material that are expected to be encountered
late in potential mine life delivered somewhat lower concentrate
grades and recoveries.
Three locked-cycle tests were completed, with LCT-3 operated on
12 kg batches of a New Master Composite made up from all
variability samples blended according to the lithology
distribution. The flowsheet, illustrated in Figure 1, was operated
over seven cycles and showed good stability. The feed grade to
LCT-3 was 2.9% TREO and the concentrate assayed 50.7% TREO with a
recovery of 85.4%.
Comminution test work was completed by SGS using standard Bond
comminution tests and the SMC test which measures the competence of
primary grinding mill feed. The SMC results were provided to
JKTech for interpretation. The Bond ball mill work indices
were 9, 11, and 13 kWh/t for the DC, XE, and SYN samples
respectively. The SMC report categorized the DC samples as
being very soft and the XE samples as medium.
Qualified Persons
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 John
Goode, P. Eng., and Kris Raffle, P.Geo., a director of the
Company, both of whom are Qualified Persons as defined by National
Instrument 43-101 and Mr. Goode has provided the technical
information relating to metallurgy in this news release.
About the Wicheeda Rare Earth
Element Project
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;
population 77,000. The Wicheeda deposit 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 project 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:
http://www.discoverygroup.ca/
For further information, please visit www.defensemetals.com
or 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, 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.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 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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SOURCE Defense Metals Corp.