Azimut Drills High-Grade Lithium Pegmatites at Wabamisk East
Azimut pivots to high-grade gold targets after Rio Tinto exits its lithium play.
Azimut Exploration Inc. has released results from its maiden diamond drilling campaign on the Wabamisk East Property, confirming high-grade spodumene pegmatite intercepts across five holes totaling 650 meters. The best intercepts include 1.87% Li2O over 36.30m and 2.20% Li2O over 23.05m, with visible coarse spodumene crystals measuring up to 70cm.
Rio Tinto Exploration Canada Inc. officially terminated its option on the property effective December 31, 2025, following the completion of the fully funded drilling program. The Wabamisk East Property comprises 205 claims covering 108.5 km² in the James Bay region, located 42 km northeast of Rio Tinto’s Whabouchi deposit.
The company announced a strategic pivot for its 2026 exploration program, shifting focus to advancing gold targets at the Rosa Zone and Fortin Zone on the adjacent Wabamisk Property.
Azimut Exploration Inc. (AZM) confirmed the completion of its partner-funded exploration program and subsequent strategic realignment, following the termination of Rio Tinto’s option which was originally disclosed in December 2025. While the lithium intercepts reported are positive, they are considered incremental to the extensive surface sampling and visual observations detailed in late 2025, with true widths and metallurgical viability remaining unconfirmed.
The company’s pivot toward gold exploration is driven by recent high-grade gold results at the Rosa and Fortin zones. This shift redirects capital expenditure away from lithium exploration, requiring Azimut to self-fund or secure a new partner for the Wabamisk East project, which increases near-term dilution risk. The announcement aligns with the company’s stated 2026 exploration plan and reinforces its focus on its highest-conviction gold assets.
Azimut Exploration Inc. is a Canadian mining exploration company focused on a multi-commodity portfolio in Quebec's James Bay region. Its flagship assets include the Wabamisk Property, which hosts the Rosa Zone, known for high-grade gold, and the Fortin Zone, which contains antimony and gold. Recent drilling has confirmed a 1.4 km strike at Rosa and a 1.8 km strike at Fortin, with high-grade intercepts and visible gold.
The company also holds the Elmer Property, a gold-copper asset containing the Patwon deposit. A 2023 resource estimate for Patwon included approximately 311,000 ounces indicated and 514,000 ounces inferred. Azimut is currently conducting a 10,000-metre drill program to expand this resource.
On the Kukamas Property, Azimut holds a 50% interest alongside KGHM International. The Perseus Zone on this property has returned exceptional grades, reaching up to 9.15% nickel and 3.86 grams per tonne PGE. Additionally, the Wabamisk East Property has been defined as a multi-kilometre spodumene pegmatite field for lithium. Following the termination of Rio Tinto’s option, Azimut retains 100% ownership of this asset.
Management includes Dr. Jean-Marc Lulin as President and CEO, Moniroth Lim as CFO and Corporate Secretary, Jonathan Rosset as Vice President of Corporate Development, and Rock Lefrancois as Vice President of Exploration.