Defense Metals

Defense Metals Announces Pilot-Scale Flotation Test Program for Wicheeda Rare Earth Project

Strategic Advancement by Defense Metals

Defense Metals has announced the launch of a pilot-scale flotation test program, marking a significant milestone in advancing its flagship rare earth development strategy. The initiative reflects the company’s commitment to de-risking the processing flow sheet and strengthening technical confidence ahead of future development decisions. This pilot-scale program builds upon extensive bench-scale metallurgical test work that has already demonstrated strong recovery potential for rare earth elements.

Focus on the Wicheeda Rare Earth Project

The test program is specifically designed for the Wicheeda Rare Earth Project, located in British Columbia, Canada. This project is considered strategically important due to its favorable geology, proximity to infrastructure, and potential to become a domestic source of critical rare earth elements. The pilot testing aims to validate scalability and confirm consistent concentrate quality under continuous operating conditions.

Objectives of the Pilot-Scale Flotation Testing

The primary objective of the pilot-scale flotation program is to optimize reagent schemes, operating parameters, and equipment configurations. By running the process at a larger and more realistic scale, Defense Metals seeks to generate reliable data on mass balance, recoveries, and concentrate grades. This information will play a critical role in supporting future engineering studies, including feasibility-level assessments.

Strengthening Technical and Economic Confidence

Successful pilot-scale testing is expected to significantly enhance confidence in both the technical viability and economic robustness of the project. The results will help reduce metallurgical risk and provide key inputs for process design, capital cost estimation, and operating cost projections. This step is particularly important for rare earth projects, where complex mineralogy can pose processing challenges.

Supporting North American Critical Minerals Supply

By advancing metallurgical development at Wicheeda, Defense Metals is positioning itself to contribute to the growing demand for secure and sustainable rare earth supplies in North America. Rare earth elements are essential for clean energy technologies, electric vehicles, and defense applications. The pilot-scale flotation program underscores the company’s long-term vision of supporting critical mineral independence while advancing responsible resource development.

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