Azimut Targets Critical Antimony Shortage with New Quebec Drilling Program

2026-01-21 companies

Longueuil, Wednesday, 21 January 2026.
Azimut launches a 5,000-meter drilling campaign in Quebec to secure domestic antimony, a critical defense mineral facing global shortages following China’s 2024 export restrictions.

Strategic Expansion in the James Bay Region

On January 21, 2026, Azimut Exploration Inc. (TSX: AZM) announced the commencement of a minimum 5,000-meter diamond drilling program at its Fortin antimony-gold zone, located within the Wabamisk Property in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay region of Quebec [1][2]. This aggressive exploration initiative utilizes two drill rigs to expand a mineralized body that has already been traced over a strike length of 1.8 kilometers and to a vertical depth of 250 meters [1][4]. The campaign represents a significant step in delineating high-grade lenses within the system, following the successful drilling of 86 holes totaling 12,286 meters since the zone’s discovery in 2024 [1][4].

Addressing Global Supply Chain Vulnerabilities

The timing of Azimut’s operational acceleration aligns with critical shifts in the global market for antimony, a mineral essential for defense and high-tech applications [1][4]. In August 2024, China—historically the dominant supplier accounting for approximately 60% of global production—imposed export restrictions on the metal, precipitating supply disruptions and price volatility over the last two years [4]. To capitalize on this demand gap and secure a potential domestic supply chain, Azimut has mandated SGS Canada to conduct initial metallurgical tests on mineralized material from the Fortin Zone and to execute a comprehensive study on the global market demand for antimony products [1][4].

Technical Analysis and Regional Potential

Technical data from previous exploration highlights the robust nature of the Fortin Zone’s mineralization, which is characterized by antimony sulphides associated with intense quartz veining inside a massive albitic alteration zone [1][4]. Notable past results include hole WS25-67, which returned 0.89% antimony and 0.65 g/t gold over 41.9 meters [1]. Beyond the immediate drill targets, Azimut is re-evaluating the broader potential of the property, specifically a 15-kilometer underexplored corridor connecting the Fortin Zone to the Rosa Zone in the west [1][4]. The company drilled 26 holes at the Rosa Zone in late 2025, with assay results currently pending, signaling a systematic approach to unlocking the district-scale potential of the Wabamisk Property [1][4].

Sources

Critical Minerals Mining Exploration