Abitibi Metals Corp. has achieved a flotation recovery of 98.2% copper to a saleable rougher concentrate product from initial metallurgical testwork at the B26 Polymetallic Deposit in Quebec.

The metallurgical development program, conducted by SLR Consulting at its facility in Cornwall, UK, used laboratory-scale equipment to produce rougher concentrate grades of 23.7% copper. The testing achieved these results following a primary grind of 80% at -150 micrometres. The rapid flotation kinetics noted for the copper zone sample point to low residence time requirements, indicating a simple flotation circuit design.

Initial gold and silver recoveries align with previous test work and are undergoing additional optimization. Zinc zone flotation test work is also ongoing. Earlier metallurgical testing on the B26 deposit relied on smaller composite samples. The current program independently confirms performance using a significantly larger and more representative copper-zone composite.

In June 2026, Abitibi Metals acquired the remaining 20% interest in the B26 deposit from SOQUEM Inc. to secure 100% ownership of the project.

“One of the most encouraging aspects of this program is that SLR Consulting has independently confirmed the excellent metallurgical performance of the B26 deposit using a significantly larger and more representative Cu-Zone composite than was available during earlier studies. These initial results demonstrate excellent copper recovery, rapid flotation kinetics and the production of a high-quality rougher copper concentrate, further increasing our confidence in the B26 project as we advance toward the Preliminary Economic Assessment”

— Dave Bernier, COO

The company will complete cleaner and locked-cycle flotation test work for the zinc zone of the project in the coming weeks and incorporate the final results of the metallurgical program into the upcoming Preliminary Economic Assessment for the B26 Project, which COO Dave Bernier noted continue to de-risk the asset and reinforce its characteristics as a high-quality VMS development project.

Read the full announcement: Abitibi Metals Announces Initial Recoveries at B26 of 98.2% Copper in Metallurgical Testwork