Defense Metals Corp V.DEFN

Defense Metals’ Wicheeda Project Selected by B.C. Gov't CMO

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Defense Metals’ Wicheeda Project Selected as One of only Three New Promising Projects by the British Columbia Critical Minerals Office for their Advanced Project Initiative


Wicheeda Rare Earth Element Project to Receive Early Coordination Support

Vancouver, British Columbia – February 23, 2026: Defense Metals Corp. (“Defense Metals” or the “Company”) (TSX-V: DEFN / OTCQB:DFMTF / FSE:35D), a company focused on the development of the Wicheeda Rare Earth Project (Wicheeda Project), located near Prince George, British Columbia, Canada, is pleased to announce that its has been selected by the Province of British Columbia to work with the B.C. Critical Minerals Office (CMO) as an advanced project. (Link to B.C. Government News: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2026MCM0010-000179)

Projects are selected for the Critical Minerals Office based on established criteria, including strength of working relationships with local First Nations, geological potential, project readiness, commodity type, and other factors. Defense Metals is advancing the Wicheeda Project through technical studies and planning work, which serve to support the regulatory process, and the CMO will provide early coordination support to assist the Wicheeda Project as it continues this work and prepares for environmental assessment and future permitting processes. 

The Honourable Jagrup Brar, Minister of Mining and Critical Minerals, stated: “The Critical Minerals Office provides key services to help take promising projects and move them forward faster, ensuring that B.C. continues to rapidly grow the sector. By supporting early coordination for projects like Wicheeda, we are helping ensure communities, Indigenous Nations and project proponents have clearer information and stronger alignment as projects move into environmental assessment and permitting.” 

Inclusion in the CMO initiative reflects the province’s recognition of the project’s advancement and potential contribution to British Columbia’s growing critical minerals sector. 

Mark Tory, CEO of Defense Metals commented “Selection for early coordination support through the Critical Mineral Office and to be considered a promising project by the B.C. government recognizes Wicheeda’s strengths and level of advancement. We are grateful for the province’s partnership as this support allows us to sync our technical progress with a clear, predictable regulatory pathway from the outset. By working in collaboration with First Nations rights-holders and the CMO, we are ensuring that Wicheeda advances in the fastest way possible as a world-class project that will deliver long-term sustainable value for the entire region.”