DEFENSE METALS (DEFN.V): COMPLETES QUARTERLY BASELINE ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING WORK AT ITS WICHEEDA RARE EARTH ELEMENT CARBONATITE DEPOSIT
News Release – Vancouver, British Columbia – February 22, 2021: Defense Metals Corp. (“Defense Metals”) (TSX-V:DEFN / OTCQB:DFMTF / FSE:35D) is pleased to announce completion of quarterly stream flow measurements, and water quality sample collection; in addition to installation of snow survey markers, weather station data download, and equipment checks at its Wicheeda Rare Earth Element (REE) Property.
The road accessible Wicheeda REE Property is located close to infrastructure approximately 80 kilometres northeast of Prince George, British Columbia (BC). The Wicheeda project has indicated mineral resources of 4,890,000 tonnes averaging 3.02% LREO (Light Rare Earth Elements) and inferred mineral resources of 12,100,000 tonnes averaging 2.90% LREO[1].
Despite higher than normal winter temperatures creating challenging ice conditions, with most stream sites still experiencing open water, environmental monitoring crews were able to complete the planned stream flow measurements and water chemistry sampling.
Quarterly site visits, scheduled as part of a two year program of baseline environmental data monitoring initiated during summer 2020, are completed by Defense Metals’ environmental consultants; EDI (Environmental Dynamics Inc.) and Hydrologica Environmental Consulting Inc. Defense metals is also pleased to announce the engagement of Northern Spruce Contracting Ltd., a 100% aboriginal owned company established in 2010 to provide environmental contracting services throughout northern British Columbia.
Craig Taylor, CEO of Defense Metals, stated: “Continuation of baseline environmental monitoring and ensuring we remain on schedule with completion of quarterly field visits demonstrates our commitment to advancing the Wicheeda REE Project. Defense Metals continues to be one of the most active companies in the rapidly emerging REE space as we work in parallel on all facets of project development including: baseline environmental, pilot-scale metallurgical studies; in addition to economic modelling and scenario analysis as we work towards completion of a PEA during 2021.”
About Northern Spruce
Northern Spruce Contracting Ltd., a 100% aboriginal owned company, was established in 2010 to provide environmental contracting services throughout northern British Columbia. Northern Spruce is owned by Cheryl Chingee and Marcel Gagnon, members of the McLeod Lake Indian Band and the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation, respectively. Northern Spruce’s vision is to be a valued resource and service provider for clients working in northern BC. Northern Spruce’s mission is to create a long-term sustainable business that provides the field services required by natural resource industry clients to minimize environmental impacts; and give back to our communities by providing employment and training opportunities when possible.
About the Wicheeda REE Property
The 1,708 hectare Wicheeda REE Property, located approximately 80 km northeast of the city of Prince George, British Columbia, is readily accessible by all-weather gravel roads and is nearby to infrastructure, including power transmission lines, the CN railway and major highways.
Geologically, the property is situated in the Foreland Belt and within the Rocky Mountain Trench, a major continental geologic feature. The Foreland Belt contains part of a large alkaline igneous province, stretching from the Canadian Cordillera to the southwestern United States, which includes several carbonatite and alkaline intrusive complexes hosting the Aley (niobium), Rock Canyon (REE), and Wicheeda (REE) deposits.
