Gold sold off hard mid-week on a stronger dollar and rising Treasury yields, then partially recovered on Middle East de-escalation signals that did not hold. Silver swung between $73 and $83. Rough week for prices. Not a rough week for drill results.
Four junior companies published meaningful news. One holds the only known rhodium resource in the United States. One is drilling an antimony-gold zone in Quebec for the third straight year. One is punching holes in a past-producing Arizona copper mine. And one keeps pulling gold from the very top of its drill holes in northern Ontario.
Stillwater Critical Minerals (TSXV: PGE)
On May 21, Stillwater reported rhodium assay results from eight holes in last year’s 3,472-meter expansion campaign at Stillwater West in Montana. Results confirmed widespread rhodium mineralization at potential co-product levels across the Chrome Mountain and Iron Mountain areas.
The project holds the only known rhodium resource in the United States. 115,000 ounces. It also hosts nickel, copper, cobalt, chromium, palladium, and platinum across ten critical minerals total. An updated resource estimate is targeted for H1 2026. A first preliminary economic assessment follows after that. Filings on SEDAR+.
Azimut Exploration (TSXV: AZM)
Complete results from the third drill program on the Fortin antimony-gold zone in Quebec landed May 20. Best antimony numbers: 0.87% Sb over 12.5 meters and 0.54% Sb over 17.0 meters. Inside the same zone, a subparallel gold interval returned 4.66 g/t Au over 6.0 meters including 26.7 g/t Au over 1.0 meter.
This is Azimut’s third consecutive program on the same zone. They keep coming back because it keeps delivering. Antimony is on both the US and Canadian critical minerals lists. China controls roughly 48% of global supply. The fact that a Quebec junior is drilling a confirmed antimony zone with high-grade gold running through it puts this in the category of stories that matter beyond the immediate drill result. Filings on SEDAR+. Results via GlobeNewswire.
Edge Copper (TSXV: EDCU)
May 19. Edge Copper reported initial assay results from the Zonia Copper Project in Arizona. A 54,000-foot drill program on a 100%-owned past-producing copper mine south of Prescott. The first eleven holes confirm broad, near-surface oxide copper mineralization within and adjacent to known zones. Only state permits are required for Phase 1 No federal permitting process.
The company changed its name from Plata Latina when it acquired Zonia in October 2025. Past-producing infrastructure is already on site. Oxide copper near surface means lower processing costs than sulfide ore. Arizona copper in a streamlined permitting jurisdiction, with an active 54,000-foot drill program already funded. This is the kind of setup the market has been rewarding. Full assay tables in the press release via Newsfile Corp. Filings on SEDAR+.
Ashley Gold (CSE: ASHL)
The second assay from the Phase 1 program at Tak Patents in Ontario came back May 20. TAK-26-02 returned 0.586 g/t Au over 34.2 meters from surface within a broader 194.1-meter interval of anomalous gold. Gold from the top of the hole, no barren cap.
Three more holes are still at the lab. Geologists noted increasing sulfide content and thicker veining in the later holes before the assays came back. Generally a positive directional signal. The property borders NexGold’s Goliath-Gold Complex. Phase 2 drilling is planned once spring melt clears. Equipment already on site. Press releases via TheNewswire. Filings on SEDAR+.
What to Watch
Stillwater: updated resource estimate targeted for H1 2026. Any release this month sets the foundation for the first economic study.
Azimut: third program results are strong enough that a fourth program is logical. Watch for any exploration update or program announcement.
Edge Copper: eleven holes reported out of a 54,000-foot program. Most results still to come. Each batch will test how far the mineralization extends.
Ashley Gold: three holes pending at the lab. Any additional assays will either extend or complicate the picture from TAK-26-01 and TAK-26-02.
Sources
- Access Newswire: Stillwater Critical Minerals rhodium results, Stillwater West, May 21, 2026
- Mining.com: Stillwater Critical flags Montana rhodium, resource upside, May 23, 2026
- GlobeNewswire: Azimut Exploration Fortin antimony-gold zone complete drill results, May 20, 2026
- Junior Mining Network: Edge Copper initial Zonia assay results, May 19, 2026
- TheNewswire: Ashley Gold TAK-26-02 assay results, May 20, 2026
- Investing News Network: Precious metals price update May 18-24, 2026
- Kitco: Gold SWOT week of May 18, 2026
Editorial Disclosure
This roundup is based entirely on publicly available information including press releases, regulatory filings, and assay disclosures. Securities discussed include Stillwater Critical Minerals Corp. (TSXV: PGE) (OTCQB: PGEZF), Azimut Exploration Inc. (TSXV: AZM) (OTCQX: AZMTF), Edge Copper Corporation (TSXV: EDCU), and Ashley Gold Corp. (CSE: ASHL). aktiego.com has not received any compensation from any company mentioned, their management, investor relations representatives, or any third party. No staff member or principal of aktiego.com holds a position in any security mentioned at the time of publication. All information is sourced from named public filings on SEDAR+ (sedarplus.ca) and company press releases via named wire services. All drill results are preliminary. Assay results are subject to quality assurance and quality control procedures and do not constitute a mineral resource estimate under NI 43-101. Exploration-stage companies carry significant risk including no guarantee of resource discovery, development, or production. These are speculative investments carrying significant risk including potential total loss of capital. Coverage on aktiego.com is provided for informational and educational purposes only. aktiego.com is not a registered investment advisor. Nothing in this article constitutes financial, investment, or professional advice. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own due diligence and consult a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. For more information please see our full DISCLAIMER.
