Defense Metals Corp. (TSXV:DEFN) has obtained new Rare Earth Element (REE) assay results from an additional eight core drill holes, totalling 2,104m completed during 2022 at its wholly owned Wicheeda REE Deposit in British Columbia.
These assay results are from two exploration, three resource delineation, and three pit slope geotechnical core drill holes, one of which (hole WI22-73) returned the second longest REE-mineralized intercept of the 2021 and 2022 Wicheeda drilling campaigns (10,859m in 47 core holes).
Pit slope geotechnical drill hole WI22-74 drilled into the south pit wall intersected high-grade mineralized dolomite carbonatite that assayed 3.77% total rare earth oxide (TREO) over 30m from surface and 2.52% TREO over 59m at mid-hole depths, within a broader zone averaging 2.03% TREO over a 192m interval.
Resource delineation drill holes WI22-71 and WI22-73 drilled within the central area of the deposit similarly intersected mineralized dolomite-carbonatite, from surface, assaying 2.83% TREO over 66m and 2.35% TREO over 81m, respectively; within broader mineralized zones yielding 1.47% TREO over 207m, and 1.42% TREO over 222m, respectively.
Resource delineation and pit slope geotechnical drill holes WI22-76 and WI22-77 returned moderate-grade, mixed syenite-xenolithic dolomite carbonatite intervals from the northern limit of the Wicheeda Deposit and north pit wall that assayed 0.64% TREO over 151m; and 0.67% TREO over 76m, respectively,” Director, Kristopher Raffle, said.
“We are excited to be nearing the release of our final drill results from a very successful year of drilling. It’s very telling that one of our geotechnical drill holes not only gave us important data about future open pit slope design, but also yielded one of the best drill intercepts of our 2021 and 2022 drill programmes.
“Following the receipt of assays from our two remaining geotechnical drill holes, we will update the Wicheeda mineral resource based on more than 10,000m in the 47 drill holes Defense Metals has completed post-PEA. We firmly believe Wicheeda is one of the best rare earths projects globally and we eagerly look forward to advancing the project during 2023.”
Geotechnical drill hole data collected will support future pre-feasibility level mine planning studies.
The 2022 Wicheeda REE Deposit resource delineation and pit slope geotechnical drill programme comprised 18 core drill holes totalling 5,510m (~18,077 feet). Assay results have been announced for a total of 16 holes to date, with results of the remaining two holes expected shortly.
For further information please visit: https://www.defensemetals.com
