source：Streetwise Reports
Defense Metals reported its flotation pilot plant registered positive sample results from its Wicheeda Rare Earth Element property in British Columbia.
In a news release, Defense Metals Corp. (DEFN:TSX.V; DFMTF:OTCQB; 35D:FSE), which focuses on discovering high strength alloys, rare earth materials and magnets for the electric power, green energy, military and national security markets, provided 'an update with respect to ongoing flotation pilot plant processing of its 30 ton Wicheeda Rare Earth Element (REE) Property bulk sample underway at the SGS Canada Inc. Lakefield, Ont. metallurgical test facility.'
The company reported that pilot plant testwork began on June 11, 2020, and since then a total of 14 processing runs have been completed. The firm advised that to date 16 tons bulk sample feed has been processed at its bulk sample flotation pilot plant, which produced about 750 kg of flotation concentrate.
Defense Metals highlighted that it recorded 'process run concentrate grades ranging from 45.4% up to 56.7% (averaging 51.6%) LREO (light rare earth oxide expressed as the sum of light rare earth elements expressed as oxides) with process recovery ranging from 53.8% up to 79.1% (averaging 70.2%) LREO.'
The company's CEO Craig Taylor commented, 'We are exceedingly pleased with these initial flotation pilot plant test results. The Wicheeda REE Deposit mineralization continues to deliver exceptional metallurgical performance. We have shown that in a pilot plant setting we are able to exceed concentrate grades achieved during bench-scale flowsheet development. Defense Metals believes the results released today demonstrate the viability of large-scale bulk sample flotation processing of Wicheeda REE Deposit material.'
CEO Taylor further stated that the company expects to finish up the remaining pilot plant testwork this week and plans to release the final results along with a full summary in the coming months.
The firm stated that the Wicheeda REE Property is located about 80 km northeast of Prince George, B.C., covers 1,708 hectares, is accessible by all-weather gravel roads and is situated near desired infrastructure such as power transmission lines, major highways and the CN railway. The property is located in the Foreland Belt within the Rocky Mountain Trench. The firm pointed out that the Foreland Belt stretches from the Canadian Cordillera to the southwestern U.S. and includes several carbonatite and alkaline intrusive complexes hosting the Aley (niobium), Rock Canyon (REE) and Wicheeda (REE) deposits.