Mr. Jonathon Deluce reports

ABITIBI METALS ANNOUNCES INITIAL RECOVERIES AT B26 OF 98.2% COPPER IN METALLURGICAL TESTWORK

Abitibi Metals Corp. has released initial results from the continuing metallurgical development program for the B26 polymetallic deposit, being completed by SLR Consulting. This work is being conducted in parallel with the current B26 and regional exploration program targeting 40,000 metres, where Abitibi currently has three drill rigs actively drilling on the project.

Highlights include:

• Excellent copper zone recoveries -- flotation recovery of 98.2 per cent copper to a saleable rougher concentrate product;
• Attractive rougher concentrate grades -- desirable rougher concentrate grades of 23.7 per cent copper achieved using laboratory-scale equipment;
• Simple flow sheet -- the rapid flotation kinetics noted for the copper zone sample point to low residence time requirements, suggesting a very simple flotation circuit design;
• Coarse grinding requirement -- these excellent results were achieved after a primary grind of 80 per cent minus 150 mesh;
• Remaining elements (gold/silver/zinc) -- initial gold and silver recoveries are in line with previous test work and are undergoing additional optimization work; zinc zone flotation test work is also continuing, with cleaner and locked-cycle test work to be completed in the coming weeks.

"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 copper-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," commented Dave Bernier, Abitibi's chief operating officer.

"While additional optimization work remains under way, including cleaner and locked-cycle testing and evaluation of the zinc flotation, these early results continue to derisk the project and reinforce our belief that B26 possesses the metallurgical characteristics expected of a high-quality VMS [volcanogenic massive sulphide] development project."

The metallurgical test work program currently under way at SLR Consulting independently confirms the excellent metallurgical performance demonstrated during earlier testing while utilizing significantly larger and more representative composite samples collected from across the B26 deposit.

The metallurgical development program is continuing and will continue to evaluate and refine the processing flow sheet, including mineralogical characterization, batch cleaner and locked-cycle flotation testing, full assessment of final concentrate marketability, and integration of the zinc-rich mineralization into the overall process design. The final results will be incorporated into the coming preliminary economic assessment.

The company will provide the full results of this phase 2 metallurgical program once the program is complete.

Qualified person

The scientific and technical information relating to the metallurgical test work contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Andy Holloway, PEng, who is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Holloway is independent of Abitibi Metals within the meaning of NI 43-101.

The metallurgical test work referenced herein was conducted by SLR Consulting at its mineral processing facility in Cornwall, United Kingdom.

About Abitibi Metals Corp.

Abitibi Metals is dedicated to acquiring and exploring mineral properties within Quebec, with a particular emphasis on high-quality base and precious metal assets that offer significant potential for growth and expansion.

The company's flagship B26 polymetallic project hosts a substantial and growing resource base:

• Indicated: 12.96 million tonnes at 2.08 per cent copper equivalent (1.19 per cent copper, 1.16 per cent zinc, 0.44 gram per tonne gold and 30.8 grams per tonne silver);
• Inferred: 12.34 million tonnes at 2.20 per cent copper equivalent (1.60 per cent copper, 0.16 per cent zinc, 0.68 gram per tonne gold and 8.1 grams per tonne silver).

The B26 project is strategically located just seven kilometres southeast of the formerly producing Selbaie mine, providing access to key infrastructure for potential future mine development.

We seek Safe Harbor.