Defense Metals Corp. announced that Ucore Rare Metals Inc. received and tested a Wicheeda mixed rare earth carbonate sample at its Kingston, Ontario, RapidSXTM Commercialization and Demonstration Facility ("CDF"). Ucore confirmed that this testing of the MREC material provides determination of its suitability as an MREC product for commercial-scale processing with Ucore's RapidSXTM technology at Ucore's currently under development Louisiana Strategic Metals Complex (SMC) project in Alexandria, Louisiana, and subsequent planned SMCs, including a Canadian facility.

SGS Canada Inc. in Lakefield, Ontario, shipped the sample to Ucore's CDF on behalf of Defense Metals. This sample was generated during Defense Metals' 2023 hydrometallurgical piloting test work performed on concentrate produced by earlier flotation pilot plant testing of a 26-tonne bulk sample from Defense Metal's wholly-owned Wicheeda Property in British Columbia.