Defense Metals Drills 3.12% Total Rare Earth Oxide Over 105 Metres and Extends Mineralized Zone at Wicheeda Rare Earth Element Deposit

VANCOUVER, Nov. 14, 2019 /CNW/ - Defense Metals Corp. ("Defense Metals") (DEFN: TSX-V / DFMTF: OTCQB / 35D: FSE) announces assay results for an additional three holes from the recently completed 2019 resource definition diamond drill program at its 1,708 hectare (4,220 acre) Wicheeda Rare Earth Element (REE) Project located near Prince George, Canada.

Drill hole WI19-22, a vertical hole and part of a fan of seven holes totalling 966 metres designed to increase confidence in the geometry of REE mineralized dolomite-carbonatite rocks at a higher elevation with the deposit, assayed 2.71% Total Rare Earth Oxide (TREO; being cerium, lanthanum, neodymium, praseodymium, and samarium oxides (Ce₂O₃+La₂O₃+Nd₂O₃+ Pr₂O₃+Sm₂O₃) over a drill core interval of 106 metres¹ (Table 1).

Drill hole WI19-23 collared from the same drill pad returned an average grade of 3.12% TREO over a drill core interval of 105 metres¹, expanding the eastern drill defined edge of the Wicheeda REE Deposit a distance of 30 meters beyond the limit of the 2019 Mineral Resource Estimate². Significantly, much of the WI19-23 mineralized intercept (a 39 metre core interval) also occurs inside the 2019 Lerchs-Grossman (LG) pit shell within rocks previously defined as waste.

Drill hole WI19-24, collared from the same pad and drilled to the southeast returned an average grade of 2.43 TREO over a drill core interval of 80.1 metres¹, modestly expanding the eastern drill defined edge of the Wicheeda REE Deposit a distance of 8 metres and providing an additional pierce point of the carbonatite envelope as planned.

Table 1: Wicheeda REE Deposit 2019 Diamond Drill Intercepts

Craig Taylor, CEO and President of Defense Metals Corp., commented, "We are extremely pleased with the results from these three additional drill holes, in particular WI19-23 which intersected REE mineralized carbonatite rocks outside the 2019 mineral resource envelope.  The fact that much of the REE mineralization intersected in hole WI19-23 also occurs within the 2019 LG pit shell within rocks previously defend as waste is anticipated to have a positive impact on our future updated Mineral Resource Estimate. We look forward to releasing additional drill holes as assay results are received, some of which also intersected visible REE mineralized carbonatite rocks outside the 2019 resource model and LG pit shell. Defense Metals is very much encouraged by the potential of these, and the remaining, drill holes have to add significant value to the Wicheeda REE Project."

The 2019 Wicheeda REE Deposit resource definition drill program comprised 13 diamond drill holes totalling 2,005 metres that were completed from three separate drill pads, designed to test the northern, southern and western extent of the Wicheeda deposit where it remains open, and to further delineate the relatively higher-grade, near surface dolomite carbonatite unit.

Drill hole WI19-22 (-90^o dip) is a vertical hole collared at a higher elevation and part of a cluster of seven holes totalling 966 metres designed to increase confidence in the geometry of REE mineralized dolomite-carbonatite rocks at higher elevations within the deposit.  Hole WI19-22 intersected REE mineralized carbonatite from a depth of 7.00 metres to a downhole depth of 113.00 metres with medium- to coarse-grained visible REE minerals (monazite and synchysite/parisite) forming millimetre to centimetre-scale aggregates interstitial to coarse-grained dolomite.

Drill hole WI19-23 (-45^o dip / 100^o azimuth), collared from the same site as WI19-22 and drilled east, was successful in expanding the drill defined edge of the Wicheeda Deposit a distance of 30 meters beyond the limit of the 2019 Mineral Resource Estimate. Similar to the first hole, WI19-21 intersected REE mineralized carbonatite containing visible REE mineralization from a depth of 4.0 metres to a downhole depth of 109 metres, with medium to coarse grained visible REE minerals (monazite and synchysite/parisite) observed throughout the interval.

Drill hole WI19-24 (-45^o dip / 140^o azimuth), collared from the same site as WI19-22 and drilled southeast, was successful in expanding the drill defined edge of the Wicheeda REE Deposit a distance of 8 meters beyond the limit of the 2019 Mineral Resource Estimate. WI19-21 intersected REE mineralized carbonatite containing visible REE mineralization from the start of sampling at 2.9 metres to a downhole depth of 83 metres.

Defense Metals looks forward to receipt of assay results for the remaining 8 drill holes within the coming weeks and will provide additional updates as they are received.

Methodology and QA/QC

The analytical work reported on herein was performed by ALS Canada Ltd. (ALS) at Kamloops (sample preparation) and Vancouver (ICP-MS fusion), B.C. ALS is an ISO-IEC 17025:2017 and ISO 9001:2015 accredited geoanalytical laboratory and is independent of the Defense Metals and the QP. Drill core samples were subject to crushing at a minimum of 70% passing 2 mm, followed by pulverizing of a 250 gram split to 85% passing 75 microns. A 0.1 gram sample pulp was then subject to multi-element ICP-MS analysis via lithium-borate fusion to determine individual REE content (ME-MS81h). Defense Metals follows industry standard procedures for the work carried out on the Wicheeda Project, with a quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) program. Blank, duplicate and standard samples were inserted into the sample sequence sent to the laboratory for analysis. Defense Metals detected no significant QA/QC issues during review of the data. Defense Metals is not aware of any drilling, sampling, recovery or other factors that could materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the data referred to herein.

Qualified Person

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 Kristopher J. Raffle, P.Geo. (BC) Principal and Consultant of APEX Geoscience Ltd. of Edmonton, AB, a director of Defense Metals and a "Qualified Person" as defined in National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Raffle verified the data disclosed which includes a review of the analytical and test data underlying the information and opinions contained therein.

About Defense Metals Corp.

Defense Metals is a mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition of mineral deposits containing metals and elements commonly used in the electric power market, military, national security and the production of green energy technologies, such as, high strength, light weight, rare earth magnets. Defense Metals' primary focus is to exercise its option to acquire 100% of the 1,708 hectare Wicheeda Rare Earth Element Project. Defense Metals Corp. trades in Canada under "DEFN" on the TSX Venture Exchange, the United States, under "DFMTF" on the OTCQB and the German, Frankfurt Exchange under the symbol of "35D".

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.

Forward Looking Information 

This news release includes certain statements that constitute "forward-looking information or statements" within the meaning of applicable securities law, including without limitation, Defense Metals' plans for its properties/projects, assays, drill results, expectations for an expanded resource, other statements relating to the technical, financial and business prospects of Defense Metals, and other matters. 

Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "estimates" or "intends", or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved), and variations of such words, and similar expressions are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statement are necessarily based upon a number of factors that, if untrue, could cause the actual results, performances or achievements of Defense Metals to be materially different from future results, performances or achievements express or implied by such statements. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which Defense Metals will operate in the future, including the price of metals and elements, anticipated costs and the ability to achieve 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, and that third party contractors, equipment and supplies and governmental and other approvals required to conduct Defense Metals' planned exploration activities will be available on reasonable terms and in a timely manner. While such estimates and assumptions are considered reasonable by the management of Defense Metals, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive and regulatory uncertainties and risks. 

Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual events, level of activity, performance or results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: (i) risks related to rare earth elements, and other commodity price fluctuations; (ii) risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of exploration results; (iii) risks related to the inherent uncertainty of exploration and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; (iv) that resource exploration and development is a speculative business; (v) that Defense Metals may lose or abandon its property interests or may fail to receive necessary licences and permits; (vi) that environmental laws and regulations may become more onerous; (vii) that Defense Metals may not be able to raise additional funds when necessary; (viii) the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with Defense Metals' expectations; (ix) exploration and development risks, including risks related to accidents, equipment breakdowns, labour disputes or other unanticipated difficulties with or interruptions in exploration and development; * competition; (xi) the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of geologic reports or studies; (xii) the uncertainty of profitability based upon Defense Metals' history of losses; (xiii) risks related to environmental regulation and liability; (xiv) risks associated with failure to maintain community acceptance, agreements and permissions (generally referred to as "social licence"), including local First Nations; (xv) risks relating to obtaining and maintaining all necessary government permits, approvals and authorizations relating to the continued exploration and development of Defense Metals' projects; (xvi) risks related to the outcome of legal actions; (xvii) political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; (xix) risks related to current global financial conditions; and (xx) other risks and uncertainties related to Defense Metals' prospects, properties and business strategy. These risks, as well as others, could cause actual results and events to vary significantly.

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, the loss of key directors, employees, advisors or consultants, adverse weather conditions, increase in costs, equipment failures, litigation, failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations and fees charged by service providers. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and, accordingly are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty of such statements. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date hereof and Defense Metals disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities legislation. 

SOURCE Defense Metals Corp.

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