Defense Metals Corp. Reports Favorable Comminution Results from Wicheeda Rare Earth Elements Project
Defense Metals Corp. has announced that it has received favorable crushing and grinding (comminution) results from multiple samples at its Wicheeda rare earth elements (REE) project in British Columbia. The data will help inform the design of the crushing and grinding plant in the project’s preliminary feasibility study (PFS) expected in the first quarter of 2024.
Tests on samples and a master composite from drill core confirmed that the ore is amenable to conventional grinding operations, including a conventional semi-autogenous grinding (SAG) mill-ball circuit, resulting in relatively low energy and supply costs. The crushing and grinding data will help inform the PFS, which is expected to be completed early next year.
The Wicheeda REE project is located approximately 80 kilometers northeast of Prince George, British Columbia, and is accessible by all-weather gravel roads. The project is situated within a belt of carbonatite intrusions that host significant REE mineralization.
“We are pleased with the results of the comminution tests at Wicheeda, which confirm the potential for low-cost processing of the REE mineralization,” said Craig Taylor, CEO of Defense Metals Corp. “These results will help inform the design of the crushing and grinding plant in the PFS, which we expect to complete early next year.”
Rare earth elements are critical minerals used in a wide range of high-tech applications, including electric vehicles, wind turbines, and smartphones. The Wicheeda project has the potential to become a significant producer of REEs, with a NI 43-101 compliant resource estimate of 4.89 million tonnes averaging 3.02% LREO (Light Rare Earth Oxide) and 0.31% HREO (Heavy Rare Earth Oxide).
