Name of the Project
Wicheeda rare earth element project.

Location
North-east of Prince George, in British Columbia, Canada.

Project Owner/s
Exploration and rare earths development company Defense Metals Corp.

Project Description
A prefeasibility study (PFS) has established Wicheeda as one of the most advanced undeveloped rare earth projects in North America and Europe. The project has proven and probable reserves of 25.46-million tonnes grading 2.43% total rare-earth oxide (TREO), 961 parts per million (ppm) praseodymium oxide, 2 661 ppm neodymium oxide, 11 ppm terbium oxide and 33 ppm dysprosium oxide. The project’s reserves support a 15-year life-of-mine with an average production of 31 900 t/y of TREO in concentrate, yielding about 5 200 t of TREO in a high-value mixed rare-earth carbonate after the removal of cerium and lanthanum.

Mined ore will be crushed at a facility near the pit and transported by conveyor to sustain a 1.8-million-tonne-a-year mill feed to the on-site flotation plant. The plant will produce a high-grade rare earth mineral concentrate averaging 50% TREO. 

Waste rock will be placed in a waste rock storage facility adjacent to the pit.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The project has a pretax net present value, at an 8% discount rate, of $1.8-billion and an internal rate of return of 24.6%, with after-tax payback of 3.7 years from the start of construction.

Capital Expenditure
Initial capital is estimated at $1.4-billion.

Planned Start/End Date
Not stated.

Latest Developments
Defense Metals was named as a recipient of funding of up to C$853 825 from Natural Resources Canada’s Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund in February 2025 to support the advancement of infrastructure for the Wicheeda deposit.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Hatch and SRK Consulting (PFS).

Contact Details for Project Information
Defense Metals Corp senior VP, corporate development and interim CFO Alex Heath, tel +1 604 354 2491 or email alex@defensemetals.com.