Rare Earths Co. Sees More High-Grade Results in BC

Defense Metals Corp. (DEFN:TSX.V; DFMTF:OTCQB; 35D:FSE) continues to release high-grade results from its Wicheeda rare earth element (REE) deposit in British Columbia.

This week it released drill results from eight core holes totaling 2,104 meters. One hole, WI22-73, returned the second longest REE-mineralized intercept of the 2021 and 2022 Wicheeda drilling campaigns, which totaled more than 10,000 meters in 47 core holes.

“We think Defense Metals is well positioned to benefit from growing demand for rare earths used in electric vehicle batteries, metal alloys, and advanced technology applications,” wrote analyst Mark Reichman in a note for Noble Capital Markets on Wednesday.

“Data from the 2021 and 2022 drilling programs will be incorporated into a preliminary feasibility study (PFS) which is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2023,” Reichman wrote. “In addition to [the] significant potential to expand the resource and extend the mine life beyond 19 years, we expect grade enhancement and the meaningful conversion of inferred to indicated and potentially measured resources.”

Reichman rated the stock Outperform with a target of CA$0.70. Its price on Thursday was CA$0.315.

The Catalyst: New Drill Results

The new results were from two explorations, three resource delineations, and three pit slope geotechnical core drill holes, the company said. Hole WI22-73 intercepted 1.42% total rare earth oxide (TREO) over 221.7 meters. Hole WI22-74 assayed 3.77% TREO over 30 meters and 2.52% TREO over 59 meters at mid-hole depths, the company said, with a broader zone average of 2.03% TREO over a 192-meter interval.

The 2022 drill program comprised of 18 core holes totaling 5,510 meters. Results have been announced for 16 holes. The results of the last two are expected shortly, Reichman wrote.

“We firmly believe Wicheeda is one of the best rare earths projects globally, and we eagerly look forward to advancing the project during 2023,” said Defense Metals Director Kristopher Raffle.

Three other holes, WI22-75, WI22-66, and WI22-65, all collared outside of the deposit, did not return significant REE mineralization.

Elements in High Demand

Defense Metals hopes to produce as much as 10% of the world’s light REEs to reduce reliance on China, which has about 85% of the world’s REE processing capacity. Political issues between the United States, China, and Taiwan put that vital supply at risk, as well as pressure from within China itself.

REEs are in high demand in the new green economy for purifying water, MRIs, fertilizers, weapons, research, wind turbines, computers, and permanent magnet motors for electric vehicles (EVs).

A preliminary economic assessment (PEA) for Wicheeda in 2021 showed an after-tax net present value of CA$512 million. Its 43-101 technical report showed a 5 million tonne indicated resource at 2.95% total rare earth oxides (TREO) and a 29.5 million tonne inferred resource averaging 1.83% TREO.

“DEFN is a best-of-breed North American REE developer that is well-positioned to its leverage growing global REE demand and government support to become part of a North American REE critical metals supply chain,” Gray wrote.

Wicheeda could help fill the resource gap with China, Reichman said. “The assay results released thus far have been outstanding,” he wrote last November.

Analyst Michael Gray of Agentis Capital recently initiated coverage on the company, saying Wicheeda was well-located with access to key infrastructure and “could become a globally significant producer” of REEs. He set a 12-month valuation of CA$3.50 for the stock.

“DEFN is a best-of-breed North American REE developer that is well-positioned to its leverage growing global REE demand and government support to become part of a North American REE critical metals supply chain,” Gray wrote.

The U.S. government in February announced a US$35 million grant to MP Materials Corp. to process REEs at its California facility. The company has agreed to invest US$700 million to create more than 350 jobs in the permanent magnet sector by 2024.

Gray said industries that use REEs are set to expand.

“The fundamentals for REE demand growth (are) very positive,” he wrote. “Demand is high, and forecasts suggest it will continue to grow, vis a vis the markets for EVs, wind turbines, and defense technologies.”

Reichman also noted the recent appointment of Len Clough, president and chief executive officer of Toro Pacific Management, to the board of directors to replace the departing Max Sali. Clough founded Toro, a capital markets advisory firm, in 2013, he said.

Ownership and Share Structure

About 5% of the company's stock is owned by institutional entities, and about 5% is owned by insiders. The rest, 90%, is retail.

Currently, the analysts covering Defense Metals Corp. include Reichman and Gray. Newsletter writers Clive Maund and Bob Moriarty also follow the stock. You can see all the analyst and newsletter coverage by clicking “See More Live Data” in the data box above. 

Defense Metals has a market cap of CA$65.43 million with 207.7 million shares outstanding, 164.9 million of them free floating. It trades in a 52-week range of CA$0.365 and CA$0.16.

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1) Steve Sobek wrote this article for Streetwise Reports LLC. He or members of his household own securities of the following companies mentioned in the article: None. He and members of his household are paid by the following companies mentioned in this article: None.

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