AUS
NZ
UK
CA
USA
IND
Abitibi Metals Corp. (CSE: AMQ) has appointed Ben Pullinger as Senior Vice President of Corporate Development and Growth, effective immediately. Pullinger brings a wealth of experience in corporate development and value creation, having most recently served as CEO of ATEX Resources. Under his leadership, ATEX transformed from a junior explorer valued under $50 million to a $1.5 billion market capitalization company in less than four years. This strategic hire enhances Abitibi’s leadership as it progresses its flagship B26 Project in Quebec.
Key Points
- Ben Pullinger has joined Abitibi Metals Corp. (CSE: AMQ) as Senior Vice President of Corporate Development and Growth, effective immediately.
- Previously CEO and President of ATEX Resources, Pullinger led the company’s growth to a $1.5 billion market cap within four years.
- Abitibi granted Pullinger 250,000 incentive stock options exercisable over five years and 300,000 restricted share units vesting per company policy.
- The B26 Polymetallic Project hosts an indicated resource of 12.96 million tonnes at 2.08% copper equivalent and an inferred resource of 12.34 million tonnes at 2.20% copper equivalent.
Leadership Expansion Bolsters Abitibi’s Growth and Development Strategy
Abitibi Metals has enhanced its executive team by appointing Ben Pullinger as Senior Vice President of Corporate Development and Growth, effective immediately as announced on July 16, 2026. CEO Jonathon Deluce highlighted Pullinger’s "proven track record of significant value creation over the past 15 years," emphasizing his expertise will help position Abitibi as "a market-leading base metals exploration, consolidation, and development company."
This appointment coincides with Abitibi’s ongoing advancement of the B26 Project, a polymetallic asset located roughly 7 kilometres southeast of the former Selbaie Mine in Quebec. Pullinger’s addition follows recent senior hires including Dave Bernier as Chief Operating Officer in January 2026 and Louis Gariepy as Vice President of Exploration in March 2025, signaling Abitibi’s intent to accelerate growth and corporate development efforts.
Pullinger’s Proven Leadership at ATEX Resources and Previous Experience
Before joining Abitibi, Pullinger served as President and CEO of ATEX Resources Inc. from May 2024 to February 2026. During his tenure, and previously as Senior Vice President of Exploration and Business Development since May 2022, he played a pivotal role in transforming ATEX from a junior explorer into a globally recognized company with a market capitalization exceeding $1.5 billion at his departure, all within less than four years.
Under his leadership, ATEX advanced the Valeriano Copper-Gold Project in Chile, noted as "the largest new copper discovery in Chile in over a decade and one of the most significant emerging copper-gold discoveries globally." Prior roles include senior corporate positions at Roxgold Inc., Excellon Resources Inc., and Golden Star Resources Ltd., where he remained until its acquisition in early 2022. Pullinger is a Registered Professional Geologist in Ontario with extensive experience in mineral project development, business growth, and capital markets.
Equity-Based Compensation Aligns Interests with Shareholders
Abitibi structured Pullinger’s compensation to align with long-term shareholder value through equity incentives. Upon appointment, he received 250,000 incentive stock options exercisable over five years under Canadian Securities Exchange policy and the company’s omnibus incentive plan.
Additionally, Pullinger was granted 300,000 restricted share units vesting according to company policy. Details on base salary and bonuses were not disclosed. These incentives are designed to align Pullinger’s interests with shareholders over an extended period.
B26 Project: Robust Resource Base and Strategic Location
Abitibi’s flagship B26 Polymetallic Project remains central to its exploration and development strategy. A technical report by SGS Canada Inc., effective November 2025, estimates an indicated resource of 12.96 million tonnes at 2.08% copper equivalent, containing 1.19% copper, 1.16% zinc, 0.44 g/t gold, and 30.8 g/t silver. The inferred resource totals 12.34 million tonnes at 2.20% copper equivalent, with 1.60% copper, 0.16% zinc, 0.68 g/t gold, and 8.1 g/t silver.
Located just 7 kilometres southeast of the former Selbaie Mine, the project benefits from proximity to established mining infrastructure in Quebec, enhancing its potential for future development.
Strengthened Executive Team Enhances Operational and Strategic Capacity
Pullinger’s appointment adds to a growing leadership team that includes COO Dave Bernier, who joined in January 2026 bringing operational expertise from Foran Mining Corp., and VP Exploration Louis Gariepy, appointed in March 2025 with prior experience at O3 Mining. This expanded leadership depth supports Abitibi’s efforts to advance the B26 Project and explore additional growth opportunities.
The company describes these leadership additions as "significantly deepening Abitibi’s management and leadership capacity" amid plans to accelerate project development and pursue strategic initiatives.
Pullinger’s Vision for Driving Value Creation
Pullinger expressed enthusiasm about joining Abitibi, calling it "an incredible opportunity to work with a dynamic, motivated team possessing a comprehensive skill set to grow Abitibi across the full spectrum of value creation from exploration to production." His experience spans the entire mineral project lifecycle, positioning him to lead corporate development, evaluate growth opportunities, and manage investor relations during Abitibi’s expansion phase.
His appointment signals Abitibi’s commitment to an aggressive growth strategy extending beyond the B26 Project.
Abitibi Metals’ Quebec-Focused Exploration and Growth Strategy
Abitibi Metals Corp. focuses on acquiring and exploring mineral properties in Quebec, targeting high-quality base and precious metal assets with significant growth potential. The polymetallic B26 Project, containing copper, zinc, gold, and silver, forms the cornerstone of its portfolio, offering diversified exposure to multiple commodity markets.
CEO Jonathon Deluce described the company’s strategy as "ambitious growth aimed at building Abitibi into a market-leading base metals exploration, consolidation, and development company," indicating potential acquisition and consolidation plans. Pullinger’s role centers on identifying and evaluating such corporate development opportunities.
Market Presence and Investor Outlook
Abitibi Metals trades on the Canadian Securities Exchange under ticker AMQ, with secondary listings on the OTCQB (AMQFF) and Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FW0), enabling access to diverse investor markets. Pullinger’s proven success in scaling junior mining companies may attract investors focused on base metals exploration and development.
The immediate impact on Abitibi’s share price was not publicly available at announcement time. Investors are likely to monitor market reactions and updates on strategic initiatives led by Pullinger. The company has not provided specific guidance on project milestones or financing but noted it is "assessing further growth opportunities."
Company Profile and Communication Channels
Abitibi Metals maintains active communication with stakeholders through platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn and provides information via its website at abitibimetals.com. Its Quebec-focused exploration approach situates the company within a prolific mining jurisdiction known for mineral discoveries and infrastructure.
Pullinger’s appointment is part of Abitibi’s broader strategy to build management depth and execute its medium-term objectives. Investors interested in junior base metals exploration and development in Quebec should watch for updates on the B26 Project and corporate development activities under his leadership.
