Significant Progress by Defense Metals in Rare Earth Element Drilling at Wicheeda Project

Defense Metals Corp., listed on TSXV as DEFN, has unveiled impressive assay results from its recent drilling campaign at the Wicheeda Rare Earth Project, located near Prince George, British Columbia. Completing a total of eleven core drill holes totaling 1,633 meters during the spring of 2026, the company is optimistic about the results, which underscore the presence of significant widths of rare earth element (REE) mineralization within the area defined by their Preliminary Feasibility Study conducted in 2025.

Overview of Drilling Results

Robin Jones, the Vice President of Projects at Defense Metals, expressed satisfaction with the drilling outcomes, noting that all eleven holes intersected promising mineralization. He remarked that these results are expected to positively influence the project’s resource classification, essential for advancing the project further. A key highlight of the drilling program includes the resource infill hole WI26-96, which, intersected a mixed xenolithic dolomite carbonatite rock, returned an assay of 2.86% Total Rare Earth Oxide (TREO) over 65 meters, including a remarkable higher-grade interval of 6.15% TREO over 20.3 meters.

Additionally, another notable hole, WI26-93, which intersected the southern margin of the Wicheeda Deposit, yielded an extensive intersection grading 1.70% TREO over a 184-meter range, indicating strong mineralization potential in this area. These results are paving the way for better understanding and classification of the mineral resource available at Wicheeda.

Techniques and Methodology

The 2026 drilling campaign comprises 31 core drill holes totaling 5,345 meters, strategically designed to facilitate both resource upgrades and geotechnical analysis. Notably, the resource upgrade and infill drilling, which targeted a large amount of inferred resources, is crucial for elevating these resources into a more reliable indicated category, facilitating a clearer path toward a robust mining operation in the future.

The comprehensive drilling methods included advanced sample preparation and analysis conducted by ALS Canada Ltd., ensuring the quality of data being reported. Rigorous Quality Assurance/Quality Control protocols reinforce the reliability of these results, with blind, duplicate, and standard samples systematically embedded into the drilling and analysis processes.

Future Directions for Defense Metals

Moving forward, the company is set to release further results from the remaining drill holes, enhancing the understanding of the Wicheeda project’s potential. The assessment from the additional holes is currently underway at ALS laboratories, and the company anticipates releasing the findings in the upcoming weeks.

Overall, the results from the Wicheeda Rare Earth Project highlight Defense Metals' commitment to establishing a robust presence in the strategic rare earth elements sector. With significant drill results indicating high-grade mineralization, the company is poised to contribute to the vital supply chain for modern technologies and energy-efficient solutions. The mineral reserves and economic outcomes are still subject to future studies and permitting, laying the ground for additional advancements in the REE market.

For continued updates and further information on Defense Metals and its ongoing projects, visit their official website.