Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec – October 30, 2025 – Abitibi Metals Corp. (CSE: AMQ) has announced a significant breakthrough in its ongoing exploration efforts at the B26 Western Copper-Gold Zone, delivering high-grade assay results from a 150-meter step-out drill hole. This pivotal discovery not only confirms a substantial expansion of the polymetallic deposit but also underscores the B26 project's burgeoning potential as a critical minerals asset in North America. The impressive intercepts, including 8.16% Copper Equivalent (CuEq) over 3.2 meters, are poised to redefine the scale of the deposit and could significantly impact the company's trajectory and the broader mining sector's quest for essential resources.
The high-grade results from drill hole 1274-25-373W1 represent a major de-risking event for Abitibi Metals, solidifying the company's geological model and paving the way for substantial resource growth. This expansion comes at a crucial time when global demand for copper and other critical metals is surging, driven by the accelerating energy transition and electrification initiatives. The B26 project, located in a stable and mining-friendly jurisdiction, is rapidly emerging as a cornerstone asset, attracting keen interest from investors and industry observers alike.
High-Grade Strikes Confirm Robust Expansion at B26
The latest results from Abitibi Metals' Phase 3 drill program at the B26 Polymetallic Deposit have exceeded expectations, particularly with the standout intercept in drill hole 1274-25-373W1. This hole, a 150-meter step-out, returned an exceptional 8.16% Copper Equivalent (CuEq) over 3.2 meters, which includes impressive grades of 6.26% copper and 2.21 g/t gold. This high-grade section is embedded within a broader mineralized zone grading 3.93% CuEq over 11.0 meters, itself containing 2.92% copper and 1.17 g/t gold, demonstrating remarkable continuity and significant growth potential.
The expansion extends beyond this single high-grade intercept. Step-out drilling has successfully confirmed the extension of the Western Down-Plunge, with mineralization now identified 150 meters down-plunge (373-W1) and 100 meters (269-W2b) beyond the existing resource model. Furthermore, the exploration program has identified a new Copper-Gold zone approximately 300 meters west of the current model and has expanded the Zinc-Silver VMS Zone, indicating a much larger and more complex mineral system than previously understood.
These developments build upon visual observations reported on October 17, 2025, which had already hinted at a significant 27-meter mineralized zone with a visually high-grade core.
The timeline leading to this moment highlights Abitibi Metals' (CSE: AMQ) strategic and aggressive exploration approach. The journey began on November 16, 2023, when Abitibi signed a definitive agreement with SOQUEM Inc. to acquire up to an 80% interest in the B26 Deposit over seven years. This was followed by the launch of a fully financed 2,750-meter drilling program in January 2024. The pace accelerated significantly in 2025, with an update on August 7 reporting 7,000 meters drilled in Phase 3. Following promising early assay results in October, specifically 4.46% CuEq over 21.1 meters from hole 269W3, Abitibi announced an expansion of its Phase 3 program to 20,000 meters. The culmination of these efforts is the October 30, 2025, announcement of these high-grade, long-step-out results, which have been met with an overwhelmingly positive initial market reaction, characterized by a "Strong Buy" technical sentiment signal for Abitibi Metals and a notable increase in market capitalization to C$42.39 million.
Companies Poised for Gains and Shifts in the Mining Landscape
The implications of Abitibi Metals' (CSE: AMQ) discovery reverberate across various stakeholders and market participants. The most immediate beneficiary is, of course, Abitibi Metals itself. This successful 150-meter step-out significantly de-risks the project, validates its geological model, and provides a clear pathway to achieving its ambitious goal of expanding the B26 deposit from its current 18.5 million tonnes to a projected 30 to 50 million tonnes. This expansion is crucial for attracting a major mining acquisition, positioning B26 as a premier asset in Canada's critical minerals portfolio. With the company fully funded through Q1 2027 and a 20,000-meter Phase 4 drill program planned for 2026, Abitibi is well-positioned for continued value creation and resource expansion.
SOQUEM Inc., as Abitibi's partner and initial owner of the B26 deposit, also stands to gain significantly. Their retained interest in an increasingly valuable asset, developed with Abitibi's expertise and capital, ensures they will participate in the long-term success of the project. This partnership model serves as a template for other junior-major collaborations in the exploration space.
For other junior exploration companies operating in Quebec, particularly those focused on polymetallic or critical minerals, this discovery could be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it highlights the immense prospectivity of Quebec as a tier-one mining jurisdiction, potentially attracting more investment and exploration capital to the region. On the other hand, it intensifies competition for land, talent, and investor attention, as Abitibi Metals sets a high bar for exploration success. Major mining companies, constantly seeking to replenish their reserves with high-grade, long-life assets in stable jurisdictions, will undoubtedly be watching B26 with increased interest. Companies like Teck Resources (TSX: TECK.A) (NYSE: TECK), Glencore (LSE: GLEN), or Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) (LSE: RIO) (NYSE: RIO), with their focus on copper and other base metals, could see B26 as a prime acquisition target to bolster their critical minerals portfolios.
Broader Significance: Fueling the Green Transition
Abitibi Metals' (CSE: AMQ) B26 expansion holds profound significance for the broader mining sector, particularly in the context of global macroeconomic trends and the accelerating energy transition. The world is facing an unprecedented demand for critical minerals, especially copper, which is indispensable for electric vehicles, renewable energy infrastructure, and grid modernization. High-grade polymetallic deposits in stable jurisdictions are becoming increasingly rare and valuable. B26, with its growing copper-gold-zinc-silver endowment in Quebec, directly addresses this supply challenge.
This event reinforces Quebec's status as a premier mining jurisdiction. The province offers established infrastructure, a skilled workforce, and supportive government policies, all of which reduce the development risk associated with such projects. The B26 deposit is poised to become a significant contributor to Quebec's critical minerals supply chain, bolstering national resource security and supporting global electrification efforts. The discovery could also spark a renewed wave of exploration in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt, a historically rich mining region, as companies look for similar untapped potential.
Historically, major discoveries in well-established mining camps have often led to a "district play" phenomenon, where initial success by one company attracts others, leading to a proliferation of exploration and, eventually, multiple new mines. The B26 project could be the catalyst for such a trend in its immediate vicinity. Regulatory bodies and policymakers will likely take note, potentially streamlining permitting processes for critical mineral projects or offering further incentives to accelerate their development, recognizing their strategic importance. The event also highlights the ongoing shift in the industry towards leveraging advanced geological modeling and drilling techniques to uncover deeper, higher-grade extensions of known deposits, rather than solely relying on greenfield discoveries.
The Road Ahead: Strategic Pivots and Market Opportunities
Looking ahead, Abitibi Metals (CSE: AMQ) is entering a critical and exciting phase. In the short term, the company's immediate focus will be on executing its planned 20,000-meter Phase 4 drill program in 2026. This extensive program is designed to further delineate the expanded resource, test new targets, and advance the understanding of the B26 deposit's full scale and potential. Investors should closely monitor the incoming assay results from this program, as they will be crucial for resource updates and potentially a new mineral resource estimate.
In the long term, the possibilities for Abitibi Metals are substantial. The confirmed expansion and high-grade nature of the B26 deposit significantly enhance its attractiveness as an acquisition target for major mining companies seeking to secure future copper and critical mineral supply. Alternatively, Abitibi could pursue a strategy of independent development, potentially forming joint ventures with larger partners to fund the capital-intensive stages of feasibility studies, engineering, and mine construction. Strategic pivots might include accelerating metallurgical testing to optimize recovery processes or initiating environmental and social impact assessments to prepare for future permitting.
Market opportunities will likely emerge from continued investor confidence, potentially leading to increased trading liquidity and share price appreciation for Abitibi Metals. However, challenges remain, particularly in financing the substantial capital expenditures required for mine development and navigating the complexities of regulatory approvals. Potential scenarios range from a rapid acquisition by a major miner, offering a significant premium to shareholders, to a phased development approach where Abitibi gradually transitions from an explorer to a developer, potentially bringing B26 into production over the next decade.
A New Chapter for Quebec's Critical Minerals Landscape
In summary, Abitibi Metals' (CSE: AMQ) recent 150-meter step-out extension at the B26 Western Copper-Gold Zone, highlighted by an impressive 8.16% CuEq over 3.2 meters, marks a transformative moment for the company and a significant development for the global mining industry. This discovery not only confirms the immense growth potential of the B26 deposit but also solidifies its position as one of Quebec's most exciting high-grade polymetallic projects. The high-grade nature and strategic location in a tier-one jurisdiction make B26 a crucial asset for the burgeoning demand for copper and other critical minerals essential for the global energy transition.
Moving forward, the market will closely watch Abitibi Metals' execution of its Phase 4 drill program and the subsequent resource updates. These will be key indicators of the deposit's ultimate scale and economic viability. The potential for B26 to become a cornerstone asset in a major miner's portfolio, or to be developed independently, presents compelling opportunities for investors. The lasting impact of this event extends beyond Abitibi Metals, potentially invigorating exploration in Quebec and contributing significantly to the secure supply of critical minerals vital for a sustainable future.
This content is intended for informational purposes only and is not financial advice
