Mining halted at Baowu-led Simandou site over pay dispute
Workers were seeking parity with their counterparts on Simandou's southern blocks 3 and 4, which are being mined by Simfer, Reuters sources said.
Athos Metals Commences VTEM Plus Airborne Geophysical Survey over the Empire District Project
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 6, 2026) - Athos Metals Corp. ("Athos" or the "Company") is pleased to announce Geotech Ltd's ("Geotech") commencement of a helicopter-borne VTEM Plus (Versatile Time-Domain Electromagnetic) and horizontal magnetic gradiometer airborne geophysical survey over all 15,150 ha of the Empire District Project in Northwestern Ontario (the "Survey").
"The commencement of the VTEM Plus survey marks the beginning of a new chapter for Athos as we systematically build our understanding of the Empire District," said Alex Bayer, Chief Executive Officer. "The high-resolution data will directly inform near-term drill hole planning on our fully permitted Westwood target, while also allowing us to begin developing a district-scale picture of the Cu-Ni-PGE-Au mineralization potential across the entire property. This is the foundation upon which we will build a compelling exploration story for our shareholders."
To learn more about the VTEM Plus and its application at the Empire District, watch a discussion with Geotech's Chief Geophysicist here:
Cannot view this video? Visit:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AwXuvVloPw
"The Marmion Terrane is underexplored with the cover of glacial till masking what is a prospective corridor for magmatic Cu-Ni-PGE-Au sulphide mineralization," said Raul Sanabria, M.Sc., P.Geo., Vice President, Exploration. "The VTEM Plus system is the optimal tool to image this district - it provides unparalleled resolution and depth of penetration for detecting discrete conductive anomalies indicative of sulphide accumulations. At Westwood, we previously drill-tested and confirmed the presence of a Cu-Ni-PGE-Au in a fertile ultramafic intrusion. This survey will detect and allow us to refine exploration targeting indicating sulphide mineralization equivalent to the PGE-enriched pegmatoidal phases in mafic/ultramafic intrusions across the full district, including the Mack, Rye, Rush, Macron, and Trewartha target areas that remain entirely undrilled."
Survey DetailsThe Survey covers the entire Empire District Project, comprising three contiguous blocks totalling approximately 15,150 hectares in the Marmion Terrane of northwestern Ontario. Key Survey parameters include:
- Survey coverage: 1,654 line-kilometres across the Empire, Rambler and Mack Properties;
- Survey base: Upsala, Ontario, located approximately 170 km northwest of Thunder Bay
- Depth of investigation: over 500 metres in resistive environments, targeting both near-surface and deep conductive anomalies
- Deliverables: total magnetic intensity (TMI) grids, VTEM EM profiles, resistivity-depth images (RDI), 3D voxel models, and a comprehensive final report
- Preliminary results: anticipated within 48 hours of data acquisition; final report expected approximately 8 weeks following delivery of preliminary products.
Next StepsUpon receipt of the preliminary data, Athos will prioritize drill hole planning on the fully permitted Westwood target, with an initial focus on achieving a discovery hole to confirm and expand the known Cu-Ni-PGE-Au mineralization within the fertile ultramafic intrusion. The VTEM Plus results will concurrently guide ground truthing across the district's broader target suite, refining the structural and geophysical context of each target ahead of drilling.
While a discovery hole at Westwood would represent a transformational outcome, success at the additional targets would be defined by confirming the presence of Cu-Ni-PGE-Au mineralization, pointing to a larger district-scale magmatic sulphide system and materially expanding the exploration upside of the Empire District Project.
The map below highlights the anticipated targets for follow up across the Empire District Project's three claim blocks:
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/12185/296030_04610fa75474f80d_002full.jpg
Qualified Person
Raul Sanabria M.Sc. P.Geo is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical contents of this news release. Mr. Sanabria is not considered independent as he is the Company's VP Exploration.
About Athos Metals
Athos Metals Corp. is a Canadian mineral exploration company identifying and advancing critical minerals prospects in Canada. Athos' initial focus is the 15,150-hectare Empire District Project, a district-scale Cu-Ni-PGE-Au exploration opportunity in northwestern Ontario with demonstrated mineralization and significant discovery potential. On April 30, 2026 Athos announced that it signed a Letter of Intent with Meed Growth Corp. (TSXV: MEED.P) with respect to a proposed qualifying transaction which will result in a reverse take-over of Meed by Athos with the resulting issuer to be listed for trading on the TSXV.
Read the full announcement:
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X: https://x.com/athosmetals LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/athos-metals-corp
For further information, please contact:
Alex BayerChief Executive Officerinfo@athosmetals.comPhone: +1 (416) 800-9076.
Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company's strategy, objectives, plans, anticipated activities, future performance, timing of transactions, and expectations with respect to exploration, development, size and scope of the financing, the timing to complete a National Instrument 43-101, the timing and results for the VTEM Plus survey, confirmation of a drill contractor and the anticipated size of the drill program.
Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations, assumptions, and beliefs, including assumptions regarding market conditions, regulatory approvals, availability of financing, and the Company's ability to execute its business plans. Such statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results, events, or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which are made as of the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable law.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/296030
