Azimut Exploration expands Fortin antimony-gold zone, Wabamisk property, James Bay Region, Québec
Azimut Exploration Inc. [TSXV: AZM; OTCQX: AZMTF] reported the complete results of its third diamond drilling program on the Fortin antimony-gold zone on its wholly owned Wabamisk property in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay region of northern Québec, Canada. A total of 27 holes were drilled in this program for 5,108 metres (holes WS26-87 to WS 26-113).
Since its discovery by prospecting in 2024, Azimut has drilled a total of 113 holes (17,394 m) on the Fortin Zone and surrounding targets. This includes a separate gold zone (Fortin South), located about 100 metres south and subparallel to Fortin, which has been further delineated during this program.
In addition, Azimut has drilled 46 holes (6,651.2 m) since late last year on the Rosa gold zone, located 15 km west of Fortin. The results of the second program (20 holes for 3,018.2 m) will soon be reported.
These recent discoveries underscore the strong exploration potential of the Wabamisk Property, which is emerging as a district-scale play. The planned work for 2026 will accelerate the definition of the zones and test new targets through an extensive ground geophysical survey (in progress), mechanical stripping, prospecting, and diamond drilling.
Drilling Highlights – Fortin Zone (antimony-gold) WS26-104 returned 0.41% Sb, 0.13 g/t Au over 30.55 metres (from 212.35 m to 242.90 m), including 1.26% Sb, 0.24 g/t Au over 1.00 metre (from 216.00 metres to 217.00 m), and 1.13% Sb, 0.35 g/t Au over 1.00 metre (from 220.50 m to 221.50 m), and 2.24% Sb, 0.13 g/t Au over 1.00 metre (from 230.00 m to 231.00 m), and 1.21% Sb, 0.10 g/t Au over 2.50 metres (from 237.00 m to 239.50 m).
WS26-101 returned 0.87% Sb, 0.13 g/t Au over 12.50 metres (from 62.00 m to 74.50 m), including 1.98% Sb, 0.14 g/t Au over 4.00 metres (from 65.00 m to 69.00 m), with 3.70% Sb, 0.18 g/t Au over 1.00 metre (from 68.00 m to 69.00 m).
WS26-109 returned 0.41% Sb over 23.40 metres (from 293.60 m to 317.00 m), including 0.99% Sb over 6.40 metres (from 293.60 m to 300.00 m), with 1.24% Sb over 4.00 metres (296.00 m to 300.00 m).
WS26-99 returned 0.54% Sb, 0,15 g/t Au over 17.00 metres (from 70.50 m to 87.50 m), including 0.82% Sb, 0.16 g/t Au over 9.20 metres (from 77.30 m to 86.50 m).
WS26-93 returned 0.77% Sb, 0.15 g/t Au over 1.50 metres (from 81.50 m to 83.00 m), 0.52% Sb over 16.70 metres (from 93.0 m to 109.70 m), including 1.27% Sb over 2.40 metgres (from 98.20 m to 100.60 m).
WS26-100 returned 0.51% Sb over 7.50 metres (from 144.50 m to 152.00 m), including 1.46% Sb, 0.15 g/t Au over 1.00 metre (from 144.50 m to 145.50 m), and 1.33% Sb over 1.00 metre (from 151.00 m to 152.00 m) and 1.19% Sb, 0.26 g/t Au over 1.00 metre (from 162.00 m to 163.00 m).
WS26-94 returned 0.33%Sb, 0.26 g/t Au over 7.30 metres (from 130.00 m to 137.30 m), including 2.13% Sb, 0.10 g/t Au over 0.80 metres (from 136.50 m to 137.30 m), 0.84% Sb, 2.12 g/t Au over 1.00 m (from 140.00 m to 141.00 m), 3.46% Sb, 0.12 g/t Au over 1.00 metre (from 174.00 m to 175.00 m).
Fortin South Zone (gold) – WS26-100 returned 4.66 g/t Au over 6.00 metres (from 26.00 m to 32.00 m), including 26.70 g/t Au over 1.00 metre (from 31.00 m to 32.00 m).
WS26-108 returned 4.54 g/t Au over 4.50 metres (from 152.00 m to 156.50 m), including 18.10 g/t Au over 1.00 metre (from 155.50 m to 156.50 m).
WS26-104 returned 5.88 g/t Au over 1.00 metre (from 125.50 m to 126.50 m). WS26-90 returned 4.32 g/t Au over 1.50 metres (from 40.50 m to 42.00 m).
This press release presents the results from the third delineation phase on the Fortin Zone. Previous drilling and channel sampling results have been disclosed.
The main objective of the program was to expand the mineralized body and further delineate wide high-grade lenses using incremental and infill holes. The 27 holes (5,108 m) of this phase were drilled at an average of 100-metre spacing, and locally 50-metre in-fill spacing, down to a maximum vertical depth of 300 m. Antimony mineralization appears fairly continuous along strike. The main surface showing (the Fortin outcrop) and drilling data in its vicinity indicate better grades and thicknesses with a possible rake plunging at 50 degrees to the east.
An additional objective was to test the Fortin Zone at depth to look for potential gold enrichment related to antimony-gold vertical zonation, as documented in several deposits worldwide. One hole tested this hypothesis (WS26-113) at a vertical depth of 500 metres with no significant results. However, the hole encountered the albitic unit over 20.1 metres, starting at 537.4 metres along the hole, and two gold grains were observed between 520 and 521 metres downhole in a conglomeratic metasedimentary unit. Given the system’s large size, the gold enrichment hypothesis requires further testing.
The Fortin South sector, located about 100 metres south of the Fortin Zone, has been traced along a minimum 1,300-metre strike by 18 drill holes returning at least 0.5 g/t Au. Gold mineralization is associated with disseminated to semi-massive arsenopyrite and variable quartz veining in sheared metasedimentary rocks. Steeply dipping to the south and open in all directions, this zone appears to correlate well with induced polarization and arsenic soil anomalies.
In addition to the results reported above, other previous notable intercepts include drill hole WS25-54 that returned 6.24 g/t Au over 2.50 metres (from 72.3 m to 74.8 m), including 13.4 g/t Au over 1.0 metre (from 72.3 to 73.3 m).
WS25-67 returned 2.10 g/t Au over 3.45 metres (from 66.8 m to 70.25 m), including 12.3 g/t Au over 0.40 metres (from 69.85 m to 70.25 m).
WS25-85 returned 0.79 g/t Au over 9.0 metres (from 34.0 m to 43.0 m), including and 3.63 g/t Au over 1.0 metre (from 42.0 m to 43.0 m).
WS25-53 returned 0.76 g/t Au over 4.00 metres (from 5.0 m to 9.0 m), including 1.79 g/t Au over 1.50 metres (from 7.5 m to 9.0 m).
W10-05 returned 0.60 g/t Au over 17.8 metres (from 197.7 m to 215.5 m; historic hole).
Preliminary geometry of the Fortin Zone – Strike-length: At least 1.8 km, based on 74 mineralized holes, within a broader 2.4-kilometre-long prospective corridor, based on two holes drilled on the eastern and western extensions (WS25-22 and WS25-34, respectively).
Thickness: Intervals grading above 0.1% Sb range from 5 to 50 metres wide along the hole, averaging roughly 20 metres.
Dip: To the south at approximately 70 to 75 degrees.
Vertical extent: Tested from surface down to 300 metres. Open at depth.
The antimony-gold mineralized system is associated with a massive albitic stratiform hydrothermal alteration zone (the albitic unit), within a thick detrital metasedimentary sequence. Evidence of very strong albitic alteration, with progressive replacement of host rocks, has been documented. This alteration is possibly controlled by the original rock’s porosity and fracturing.
The massive albitic unit has been intersected by 102 holes over a lateral distance of 2.65 km. Its thickness varies from several metres to over 90 metres. The multi-kilometre lateral continuity of the albitic unit may suggest a kilometre-scale vertical extent. The mineralized system is currently recognized almost continuously over a distance of 1.8 km and remains open along strike and at depth.
Antimony sulphides (berthierite: FeSb2S4, gudmundite: FeSbS, stibnite: Sb2S3) and native antimony are associated with intense quartz veining and brecciated facieswithin the albitic unit, and are commonly associated with other sulphides (arsenopyrite, pyrrhotite, pyrite).
The northern contact is also mineralized, but drilling to date suggests it is less continuous than the southern contact. The quartz vein network is mostly subparallel to the east-west schistosity. The rheologic contrast between the brittle albitic unit and the more ductile metasedimentary rocks appears to be one of the key controls on mineralization at the scale of the Fortin Zone.
Mineralogical and metallurgical characterization of the mineralized material, including comminution and flotation testwork, is progressing and will be reported at completion.
Wabamisk is a wholly owned project comprising 673 claims covering 356 km2. The adjacent Wabamisk East Property (205 claims, 108.5 km2) is mainly explored for its lithium potential. Together, the Wabamisk and Wabamisk East projects provide a strategic 51-kilometre strike positionin one of the most prospective belts in the James Bay region.
Wabamisk lies 13 km east of the Clearwater Property (Fury Gold Mines Ltd), 42 km northeast of the Whabouchi lithium deposit (Rio Tinto – Nemaska Lithium), and 70 km south of the Eleonore gold mine (Dhilmar Ltd). Major powerlines pass through or close to the property’s eastern end, and the North Road highway passes 37 km to the south. The nearest town is Nemaska, a Cree village municipality 55 km to the southwest.
The project is under the direction of Alain Cayer (P.Geo.), Azimut’s Project Manager. Azimut is focusing its activities on several key high-impact projects. Wabamisk (100% Azimut) – Fortin Zone (antimony-gold), third drilling program completed; Rosa Zone (gold): second drilling program completed.
Wabamisk East (100% Azimut) – Lithos North &South (lithium): initial phase of drilling completed, assays pending.
Elmer (100% Azimut) – Patwon gold deposit at the resource stage (311,200 oz Indicated and 513,900 oz Inferredvii); 10,000 m drilling program underway.
Kukamas (KGHM option) – Perseus Zone (nickel-copper-PGE): 2026 program in preparation.
Azimut uses a pioneering approach to big data analytics (the proprietary AZtechMine™ expert system), enhanced by extensive exploration know-how. The company’s competitive edge is based on systematic regional-scale data analysis. Azimut maintains rigorous financial discipline and a strong balance sheet.
Azimut has two strategic investors among its shareholders, Agnico Eagle Mines Limited and Centerra Gold Inc., which hold approximately 11% and 9.9%, respectively, of the company’s issued and outstanding shares.