First Mining Gold Corp has recently begun its drill campaign at its Duparquet Gold Project in the Abitibi region of Quebec. First Mining has partnered with Indigenous-led drilling company Forage Anicinape to advance the exploration while prioritising relationships with nearby Indigenous communities and businesses.
“We are pleased to partner and be an out-of-the-gate client with Forage Anicinape as we continue advancing the Duparquet Project,” says Dan Wilton, CEO of First Mining. “Developing strong partnerships with Indigenous communities and businesses is an important part of how we operate and how we advance our projects with a responsibility directly aimed at seeking meaningful Indigenous participation.
Forage Anicinape was established through a partnership between Forages Rouillier and the Coopérative de solidarité de Pikogan, representing the Pikogan First Nation.
“We are proud to begin this partnership with First Mining at the Duparquet Project,” says Kenny Ruperthouse, the general manager of Coopérative de solidarité de Pikogan. “Forage Anicinape was created to build meaningful opportunities for Indigenous workers and communities through responsible mineral exploration activities. This partnership represents an important step in strengthening Indigenous participation in the mining sector while contributing to economic development and workforce growth in the region.”
First Mining’s initial 2026 drill campaign at Duparquet is expected to total about 12,000m and will focus on increasing resource confidence, advancing exploration of resource growth opportunities and supporting future economic and technical studies.
The 2026 drilling programme commenced in Q2 2026 and will advance using two diamond drill rigs throughout the year. The programme will also include follow-up drilling at the Miroir target, a key priority area and growth target following the 2025 drilling programme released in March.
The Duparquet Project is located in the southern part of the Abitibi Greenstone Belt 50km northwest of Rouyn-Noranda, Canada. The existing workforce and infrastructure, which includes road, rail and hydroelectric grid power, make it a suitable location.
The Duparquet Project totals approximately 5,800ha focused on an area of 19km of strike length along the prolific Destor-Porcupine Fault Zone, along with numerous mineralised splays and influential secondary lineaments. The Duparquet Project includes the past-producing Beattie, Donchester and Duquesne mines as well as the Central Duparquet, Dumico and Pitt Gold deposits.
