Defense Metals Corp. announced that it has entered into a Co-Design Agreement with the McLeod Lake Indian Band ("MLIB"), regarding ongoing project development of Defense Metals' 100% owned Wicheeda Rare Earth Element Project (the "Wicheeda Project") located 80 kilometres northeast of Prince George, British Columbia. Pursuant to the Agreement, Defense Metals will collaborate on the design of the Wicheeda Project with MLIB.

Collaboration will incorporate MLIB's interests and priorities in the planning and design of future feasibility studies and the environmental assessment process and include MLIB involvement in certain technical studies related to the Wicheeda Project. Comprehensive budgets and workplans are to be cooperatively developed and incorporated into the process. In addition, Defense Metals will make an upfront payment to MLIB, fund certain of MLIB's costs of participating in review activities and support MLIB Members in attending post-secondary training in a mining-related field.

Central to this collaboration is the Wicheeda Project's integral role in supporting British Columbia's contribution to the clean energy transition. With a targeted annual production equivalent to approximately 10% of current global production, the project has the potential to become a significant supplier of rare earth elements.