JAMES BAY REGION - CHROMIUM-PGE-NICKEL

Region's potential for chromium and associated metals

The geology of the James Bay region consists of Precambrian rocks belonging to the geological Superior Province, and this setting is favourable for a wide variety of deposit types and commodities. Although the region has recently gained a lot of attention for a number of gold and base metal discoveries, it also has considerable potential for chromium (Cr), platinum group element (PGE) and nickel (Ni) mineralization in mafic and ultramafic lava flows and intrusions.

Property and target type

Azimut currently holds one Cr-PGE-Ni property (Eastmain West) in the James Bay region. The property was originally staked as a gold project following the results of Azimut's gold potential modelling of the James Bay territory in 2003, but subsequent exploration work led to the discovery of significant chromium, PGE and nickel mineralization in an extensive ultramafic unit.

The Company's main target type for these metals is a stratiform mafic-ultramafic complex with layered chromite and associated PGE mineralization.

Available infrastructure and services

Thanks to extensive development for the hydro-electric, mining and forestry industries, a valuable network of roads and additional facilities is now present in most parts of the James Bay region, in addition to the manpower, airports and other services available in more than a dozen cities, towns and communities.

Known chromite deposits in the region

Known deposits for chromium, platinum group elements, and nickel in the James Bay region include the Ménarik deposit (5.4 Mt @ 7.8% Cr2O3) belonging to Ressources Minières Pro-Or, located near Radisson on the Quebec side of the bay, and the recent Blackbird-Black Thor discovery by Noront Resources and Freewest Resources Canada on the Ontario side.