Azimut Exploration Inc. expands Québec antimony-gold discovery, strengthening potential critical mineral supply amid tightening global antimony market conditions and rising demand.
Azimut Exploration Inc. is significantly expanding the Fortin antimony-gold zone on its wholly-owned Wabamisk Property in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay region of Québec, Canada, positioning it as one of Canada's largest antimony-bearing systems. The company's recent drilling and exploration efforts have outlined a substantial mineralized body, with implications for global antimony supply amidst tightening market conditions.
The journey to these significant discoveries began in 2005 when Azimut initially acquired the claims, which were subsequently optioned to Placer Dome and later transferred through Goldcorp to Newmont, before Azimut regained 100% ownership in 2022. Following the reprocessing of extensive historical data, a prospecting program in 2024 led to the discovery of the antimony-rich Fortin Zone, characterized by high-grade channel and grab samples, some reaching up to 24.8% antimony.
Since its discovery, Azimut has conducted multiple diamond drilling campaigns. A first program in late 2024 and early 2025, comprising 51 holes, confirmed a robust antimony-gold system. Further delineation drilling in 2025 expanded the Fortin Zone to a 1.8-kilometer strike length and 250 meters vertical depth, remaining open in all directions. Notable drill intercepts include 0.89% antimony and 0.65 g/t gold over 41.9 meters. Drilling efforts continued into early 2026, with plans for additional meters to further expand the mineralized body and conduct in-fill delineation.
Beyond the Fortin Zone, Azimut also made another significant discovery in 2025: the Rosa Zone, a high-grade gold-bearing area located approximately 15 kilometers west of Fortin, marked by visible gold and high-grade grab samples. Additionally, the company is exploring lithium potential on its adjacent Wabamisk East Property, which has been optioned to Rio Tinto, and holds a position in the emerging Galinée lithium district through a joint venture with SOQUEM.
These developments occur against a backdrop of tightening global antimony supply, largely triggered by China's export restrictions imposed in August 2024, which significantly reduced exports and increased the risk of supply disruptions and price appreciation. This geopolitical event underscores the strategic importance of Azimut's discoveries, offering a potential alternative source for this critical mineral. The company's success is attributed to its pioneering use of big data analytics through its proprietary AZtechMine™ expert system, coupled with extensive exploration expertise. The James Bay region continues to prove its prospectivity, with Azimut maintaining a strong financial position to advance its projects.
