First Canadian Graphite Appoints New CEO to Advance Quebec Graphite Project

First Canadian Graphite Inc. has appointed John LaGourgue as Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors, effective immediately. The appointment comes as the company seeks to accelerate development of its flagship Berkwood Graphite Project in northern Quebec to meet growing demand for onshore sourced critical minerals.

Mr. LaGourgue brings over 25 years of experience in leadership, capital markets, commercial and governmental relations, business development, and operations in the resource sector. He has a proven track record in project oversight, corporate finance, risk management, and commercial operations, having successfully led commercial and mining exploration programs and secured more than $100 million in debt and equity funding for various projects.

"I am honoured to join the FCI team and look forward to driving an exciting new phase for the Company," said John LaGourgue, CEO of First Canadian. "I see tremendous potential to position First Canadian Graphite as a leader in the global graphite supply chain. Our world-class graphite district features some of the highest-grade and highest-quality graphitic bodies in existence, located in Quebec's mining-friendly jurisdiction with excellent road access and global shipping capabilities."

The appointment aligns with First Canadian's strategic vision to advance the Berkwood Graphite Project, which hosts a high-grade, large-flake graphite resource with a historical NI 43-101 estimate of 3.2 million tonnes of indicated and inferred at an average grade of 17%. The project is positioned adjacent to major world-class graphite developments and benefits from Quebec's clean hydroelectric power and supportive infrastructure.

Thomas Yingling, who will focus on his role as President to execute a busy 2026 program of field operations and steps toward commercializing the Company's resource, stated: "John's expertise, energy in expanding investor awareness, and clear vision for maximizing shareholder value through commercialization will be instrumental as we advance Berkwood, strengthen our management team and board, and capitalize on the surging global demand for graphite."

First Canadian Graphite respectfully acknowledges that the Berkwood Project is located within the traditional territory of the Pessamit Innu First Nation and is committed to fostering respectful, transparent, and collaborative relationships with local Indigenous communities throughout the development process. Additional information about the company can be found at https://www.firstcanadiangraphite.com.

The appointment of Mr. LaGourgue represents a strategic move to leverage his extensive experience in capital markets and project development as graphite demand continues to grow globally. With electric vehicle batteries, energy storage systems, and various industrial applications driving increased need for high-quality graphite, First Canadian aims to position itself as a key North American supplier. The company's focus on Quebec's mining-friendly jurisdiction with established infrastructure provides competitive advantages in developing domestic sources of critical minerals.

This leadership change occurs at a pivotal time for the junior mining sector as governments and industries seek to secure reliable supply chains for battery materials. First Canadian's emphasis on developing its Quebec-based assets aligns with broader North American initiatives to reduce dependence on foreign sources of critical minerals. The company's progress can be monitored through regulatory filings available at https://www.sedar.com under the company's profile.