#Canada #Vancouver #Defense Metals #Wicheeda Project #Ali Mahdavi

Defense Metals Welcomes New Senior VP

Defense Metals Corp., a Canadian company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV: DEFN), has made headlines with its latest executive appointment. Ali Mahdavi has stepped in as the Senior Vice President of Corporate Development. This move comes as the company ramps up efforts to advance its Wicheeda critical minerals project, an initiative that has gained immense attention in light of the growing demand for rare earth elements.

As stated by Mark Tory, the President and CEO of Defense Metals, the addition of Mahdavi to the management team is a significant step forward. Tory expressed enthusiasm about Mahdavi's extensive experience within the rare earth industry, emphasizing that it will help to strengthen the company’s engagement with investors and analysts. Mahdavi's primary responsibilities will include maximizing exposure for Defense Metals and exploring new corporate opportunities.

Mahdavi himself expressed his excitement to join a company at such a pivotal moment, noting that projects centered around critical minerals have surged to the forefront of global political and economic discussions. With the Wicheeda project already well underway and a robust Preliminary Feasibility Study completed, Mahdavi is poised to lead the effort in securing markets and partners necessary for the project’s advancement.

Background of Ali Mahdavi

Ali Mahdavi is not a novice in the field; he brings over three decades of experience in the capital markets with a specialized focus on rare earth elements. As the Founder and Managing Director of Spinnaker Capital Markets Inc., a Toronto-based advisory firm, he has made a name for himself by guiding both private and public companies toward sustainable success through strategic capital sourcing and M&A activities.

Prior to joining Defense Metals, Mahdavi served as the Senior Vice President of Corporate Development and Capital Markets at Neo Performance Materials for more than 20 years. His background, which began with studies in Economics and Business at York University, includes positions at major financial institutions like the Bank of Nova Scotia and the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce.

Incentive Stock Options Granted

Alongside the appointment of Mahdavi, Defense Metals has announced the granting of 2,675,000 incentive stock options to its directors, officers, and consultants. This move is subject to approval from the TSX Venture Exchange and aligns with the company's effort to incentivize its growing management team. Each option will allow the holder to purchase a common share of Defense Metals at C$0.30 for a duration of five years, following the stipulations of the company’s stock option plan.

Guy de Selliers, the Executive Chairman of Defense Metals, highlighted the importance of recognizing the contributions of their expanding team as they accelerate development at Wicheeda. He emphasized that the recent staffing enhancements, including the selection of high-caliber professionals in finance, sustainability, governance, and corporate development, have significantly strengthened the company’s foundations.

About Wicheeda and Defense Metals

Defense Metals Corp. is primarily focused on the development of the Wicheeda Rare Earth Element project, which spans 11,800 hectares in British Columbia. Located about 80 kilometers northeast of Prince George, the site is accessible by paved highways and is in close proximity to essential infrastructure such as hydro power transmission and gas pipelines.

The company recently completed a Preliminary Feasibility Study that underscored the strong economic viability of the Wicheeda project. As global interest in securing domestic supplies of essential minerals continues to mount, Defense Metals is strategically positioned to capitalize on these trends.

To learn more about Defense Metals and its initiatives, you can visit www.defensemetals.com. For inquiries regarding the appointment or the Wicheeda project, you can reach Mark Tory, the President and CEO, at +1 604-445-8179 or via email at [email protected]