Defense Metals reported assay results from the first 11 of 31 core drill holes completed during its 2026 program at the 100%-owned Wicheeda Rare Earth Project near Prince George, British Columbia. The holes totaled 1,633 metres and all intersected significant widths of rare-earth-element mineralization within the pit confines defined by the 2025 Preliminary Feasibility Study. Highlights included 2.86% total rare-earth oxide (TREO) over 65 metres in hole WI26-96, including 6.15% over 20.3 metres. Other results included 1.70% TREO over 184.4 metres in WI26-93, 2.40% over 84.6 metres within a broader 1.55% interval over 148.7 metres in WI26-100, and 3.25% over 34.3 metres within 2.62% over 73.4 metres in WI26-102. Assays for the remaining 47 metres of WI26-102 and 10 resource-upgrade and infill holes were pending, with Defense Metals saying further results were expected in the coming weeks. The broader 2026 program comprises 31 holes totaling 5,345 metres, including resource, pit-slope geotechnical and waste-rock geochemical drilling.