Defense to conduct flotation test program at Wicheeda

Executive Summary

• Defense Metals Corp. has appointed SGS Canada Inc. to conduct a comprehensive 30-tonne pilot-scale flotation testing program for its Wicheeda Rare Earth Project.
• The program aims to advance process flow sheet development and support the upcoming feasibility study, with an estimated cost of approximately $1 million.
• The flotation tests will generate approximately 1.5 tonnes of concentrate for subsequent hydrometallurgical testing later this year.

Key Details

• Pilot Program Scope: SGS Canada Inc. will undertake a 30-tonne pilot-scale flotation testing program on two newly prepared drill core composite samples from the Wicheeda deposit.
• Sample Composition: The program includes testing of representative drill core material covering years one through five of the proposed operation, and year six onward.
• Output: The pilot plant operation is expected to generate about 1.5 tonnes of flotation concentrate.
• Next Steps: The generated concentrate will be used in a hydrometallurgical pilot plant to be undertaken later this year.
• Cost: The total estimated cost of the pilot flotation program is approximately $1-million.
• Strategic Context: This step supports the progression of the 2025 prefeasibility study (referenced as dated April 7, 2025) to a feasibility stage.
• Management: The program is managed by chief metallurgical consultant John Goode, PEng, who has over 60 years of experience in metallurgy and rare earth projects.
• Administrative Update: The company also announced the grant of 7,375,000 incentive stock options to directors, officers, and consultants, exercisable at 28 cents per share for three years, subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval.

Notable Quotes

• Mark Tory, CEO: "We have been steadily releasing work packages, which form the foundation for progressing our 2025 prefeasibility study... to a feasibility stage... Having already accelerated our fieldwork and environmental baseline programs, we are pleased to announce this comprehensive pilot-scale flotation testing program as the next major step towards the development of the Wicheeda project as Canada's first large-scale REE critical minerals producer."
• John Goode, Chief Metallurgical Consultant: "This program represents a significant step toward the derisking and optimization of the metallurgical processing route for the Wicheeda project. It will generate additional data required for the feasibility study and produce the high-grade flotation concentrate feed for the planned hydrometallurgical pilot plant."