Azimut Exploration Inc. has acquired four new gold exploration properties in Quebec through its strategic alliance with SOQUEM Inc.

The properties — Munischiwan, Pikwa, Pontois and Desceliers — comprise a total of 1,280 claims covering 658.3 square kilometers.

Azimut formed a strategic alliance with Investissement Québec's unit SOQUEM in late September to focus on gold exploration within a 176,300-square-kilometer area in the James Bay — Eeyou Istchee region.

All four properties display strong multielement geochemical footprints for gold in lake-bottom sediments, and the alliance is preparing a work program, with field operations scheduled to begin this fall.