Critical One Energy Drills 4.0 Meters of 70.2% Antimony at Howells Lake Project
Critical One hits massive stibnite bonanza at Howells Lake, as drill bit confirms high-grade antimony with potential to rival historic Hemlo discovery.
- Drill hole HWL-2026-006 intersected 4.0 m of massive stibnite grading 70.2% antimony (Sb) within a broader 8.0 m at 42.2% Sb.
- The high‑grade core approaches the chemical composition of pure stibnite (71.7% Sb).
- A second deeper zone returned 7.3 m at 1.62% Sb.
- All eight holes drilled near the historic Howells Lake East Zone have hit visible antimony mineralization.
- Management calls this “proof of concept” and compares the discovery to the Hemlo Gold find in scale and significance.
- A live investor webinar is scheduled for May 19, 2026.
The assay results are genuinely transformative. A near‑surface intercept of massive stibnite at 70.2% Sb over multiple meters, with widths and grades rarely seen in modern antimony exploration, moves Howells Lake from a historic, non‑compliant resource to a potential tier‑one asset. This grade is sufficient for Direct Shipping Ore (DSO), significantly shortening the path to cash flow if further drilling confirms continuity. The North American antimony market is heavily reliant on Chinese supply, making a domestic high‑grade deposit strategically vital. The news materially derisks the project and could attract strategic investors, offtake partners, or even acquisition interest. The CEO’s Hemlo analogy, while promotional, underscores the perceived magnitude. The discovery far exceeds the already positive visual mineralization reported in early 2026.
- Critical One Energy (formerly Madison Metals) is a Canadian critical‑minerals explorer.
- Flagship asset: Howells Lake Antimony‑Gold Project, ~120 km west of the Ring of Fire corridor, Thunder Bay Mining District, Ontario.
- Land package: approximately 25,000 ha covering a 30 km strike on a proven greenstone belt.
- Historical, non‑NI 43‑101 compliant resource: 1.7 Mt at 1.4% Sb with associated gold, with historic intercepts up to 75% Sb and >14 g/t Au.
- Modern exploration is defining a high‑grade antimony system with significant gold credits.
- The project has an exploration agreement with Eabametoong First Nation and an OJEP government grant.