{"success":true,"data":{"pressRelease":{"id":"123897","rtpr_id":"nACSJyMlWa","ticker":"FCI","exchange":"","all_tickers":["FCI"],"title":"First Canadian Graphite Advances Potential For Large-Scale, High-Grade North American Graphite System at Lac Guéret South","author":"ACCESSWIRE","published_at":"2026-08-20T12:00:09.142Z","article_body":"Expanded airborne EM, preliminary metallurgy and fall drilling program\ndesigned to evaluate the scale and continuity of the 3.3-km Zone 13 discovery\n\nMONTREAL, QC / ACCESS Newswire (https://www.accessnewswire.com/) / August 20,\n2026 / First Canadian Graphite (TSXV:FCI)(OTCQB:GRAPF) (\"FC graphite\" or the\n\"Company\") announces an exploration update from its Lac Guéret South Project,\nlocated in the Manicouagan region of Québec, Canada, where recent work at\nZone 13 is highlighting the potential for a large-scale, high-grade North\nAmerican graphite system.\n\nZone 13 has rapidly emerged as the Company's highest-priority exploration\ntarget following the discovery of high-grade graphite mineralization\nassociated with an extensive electromagnetic (\"EM\") anomaly. Surface and\nnear-surface graphite mineralization has now been confirmed along\napproximately 3.3 kilometres of strike and across widths exceeding 150 metres,\nwith 46 samples returning assays of up to 43.4% graphitic carbon (\"Cg\"). Refer\nto the Company's press releases dated July 7, 2026 and July 30, 2026.\n\nImportantly, portions of the conductive system extend beyond the limits of the\nCompany's original airborne survey. FC graphite is therefore expanding its\nexploration program to determine the potential extent of the conductive system\nwhile simultaneously advancing metallurgical testing, access development,\ntrenching and preparations for first-pass diamond drilling planned for fall\n2026.\n\nZone 13 - Testing the Scale of the System\nThe dimensions identified at Zone 13 distinguish it from the more localized\ngraphite occurrences historically explored on the property. Graphite-bearing\noutcrops and near-surface occurrences have now been confirmed over\napproximately 3.3 kilometres, associated with a large and intense conductive\ntrend.\n\nThe Company's original 2026 airborne survey was relatively limited because\navailable historical exploration information did not indicate conductive\nanomalies of the magnitude and intensity subsequently discovered. Several\nconductors identified by the survey extend to, or are cut off by, the survey\nboundaries.\n\nAs a result, FC Graphite has engaged Gatineau-based Prospectair to undertake\nsupplementary magnetic-electromagnetic (\"Mag-EM\") coverage across the\nBoudrias-Esbec option to the north and surrounding the currently defined Zone\n13 discovery. The expanded survey is designed to establish whether the Zone 13\nconductive system continues beyond the area currently mapped and to identify\nadditional conductors for ground follow-up.\n\nIf additional graphite-bearing conductors are confirmed, the work could\nsignificantly expand the prospective footprint of Zone 13 and further support\nthe Company's emerging district-scale exploration model for Lac Guéret South.\nProspectair has confirmed the survey will begin in late August or early\nSeptember.\n\nHigh-Grade Graphite Across a Kilometre-Scale Target\nThe potential scale of Zone 13 is particularly significant when considered\nalongside the grades encountered to date. Recent prospecting returned 46\ngraphite-bearing samples grading up to 43.4% Cg, confirming very high-grade\ngraphite at multiple surface and near-surface locations.\n\nThe Company's exploration strategy is now shifting from identifying graphite\noccurrences to determining their continuity, geometry, thickness and extent at\ndepth. Additional Beep Mat prospecting will be conducted across areas where\naccess is currently being restored and over anomalies identified by the\nforthcoming heliborne Mag-EM survey. The results will be integrated with\ngeological mapping, sampling and trenching to prioritize targets for the\nCompany's first diamond drilling at Zone 13.\n\nThe historical estimates noted herein are not considered a current mineral\nresource or mineral reserve, and sufficient work has not been completed by the\nQualified Person to classify the historical estimate as a current mineral\nresource or mineral reserve, if such is the case under National Instrument\n43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. The Company has never\nupdated this estimate and has no plan to do so in the future, potential for\nadditional resources is believed to be limited along strike and depth.\n\nPrevious management filed a NI 43-101 Technical Report dated June 19 2019,\nwith a detailed Mineral Resource Estimate for the Lac Guéret South Project\n(formerly known as the Berkwood Project) completed by independent experts\nEdward Lyons (Tekhne Resources), Florent Baril (Bumigeme), and Claude\nDuplessis (Goldminds Geoservices). For the full report and updates visit\nhttps://FCGraphite.com or under the Company's profile at the SEDAR website at\nhttps://SedarPlus.ca.\n\nMetallurgical Testing Underway at Corem\nWhile exploration is evaluating the potential physical scale of Zone 13, FC\nGraphite is simultaneously beginning to evaluate its metallurgical\ncharacteristics. Four approximately 20-kilogram samples have been delivered to\nCorem in Québec City for preliminary metallurgical testing. Two samples were\ncollected from recently exposed occurrences within Zone 13. Additional samples\nwere collected from the historical Esbec Graphite Showing and Zone 6.\n\nZone 6 has been included as a control because material from the zone was the\nsubject of previous metallurgical testing, allowing the Company to compare the\ncharacteristics of the newly discovered Zone 13 graphite with previously\nevaluated material from elsewhere on Lac Guéret South.\n\nCorem's program will include crushing and grinding followed by small-scale\nflotation concentration and flake classification. Testing will evaluate:\n*\ngraphite liberation;\n*\nflake-size distribution;\n*\nconcentrate purity; and\n*\nflotation and concentration characteristics.\n\nCorem will also undertake detailed mineralogical studies to support future\nmetallurgical characterization and process development. The program is\nintended to provide an early indication of whether the very high-grade\ngraphite encountered at Zone 13 can be efficiently upgraded into a\nhigh-quality graphite concentrate using conventional processing techniques.\nDemonstrating favourable metallurgy alongside substantial scale would\nrepresent an important step in establishing the potential commercial\nsignificance of the Zone 13 discovery.\n\nPreparing Zone 13 for First-Pass Drilling\nThe Company has contracted Groupe Nipi of Pessamit to re-establish access to\nportions of Lac Guéret South where tag alders have overgrown previously\nestablished roads. The restored access will support additional prospecting and\nsampling while providing access for the Company's planned trenching and\ndiamond drilling programs in fall 2026. Fall and winter exploration programs\nare currently being prepared and will commence following receipt of an\nAuthorization for Impact-Causing Exploration Work (\"ATI\"), to be submitted\nshortly.\n\nTrenching will expose selected sections of the conductive system and assist\nthe Company in establishing geological controls, mineralized widths and\noptimal drill locations. The subsequent first-pass diamond drilling program\nwill represent the Company's first opportunity to systematically test the Zone\n13 system below surface and begin establishing its true width, continuity,\ngrade and depth potential.\n\nBuilding a Large-Scale Graphite Project\nZone 13 is being evaluated within a substantially larger graphite property.\nLac Guéret South already hosts a historical NI 43-101 mineral resource at\nZone 1 of 1.76 million tonnes indicated grading 17% Cg and 1.53 million tonnes\ninferred grading 16.4% Cg. Multiple additional graphite-bearing zones and\nconductive anomalies occur elsewhere across the property. FC graphite's claims\nand optioned ground now exceed 200 km², establishing one of the most\nextensive land positions in the Lac Guéret Graphite District. The emerging\nopportunity therefore extends beyond the expansion of the historical Zone 1\nresource.\n\nThe Company's broader objective is to determine whether Zone 13 and the\nadditional conductive systems across Lac Guéret South have the potential to\nestablish the project as a large-scale, high-grade graphite system within\nNorth America. More than $10 million has been invested in Lac Guéret South to\ndate, while significant portions of the property remain underexplored.\n\nA Clear Exploration Path\nFC Graphite is advancing Zone 13 through a systematic exploration sequence:\n\nExpanded airborne Mag-EM - ground prospecting - metallurgical testing -\ntrenching - diamond drilling - potential resource definition and expansion.\n\nEach stage is designed to reduce geological and metallurgical uncertainty\nwhile progressively testing the potential scale of the system. The expanded\nairborne survey will investigate the extent of the conductive footprint.\nGround prospecting and trenching will determine whether additional conductors\ncorrespond with graphite mineralization. COREM's work will provide the first\nmetallurgical characterization of the newly discovered Zone 13 material.\nDiamond drilling will then begin testing whether the high-grade graphite\nobserved over the extensive surface footprint continues at depth.\n\nTogether, these programs are intended to determine whether Zone 13 represents\nan isolated high-grade discovery or part of a much larger graphite system.\n\n\"The significance of Zone 13 is increasingly about the combination of grade\nand potential scale,\" said John LaGourgue, President and CEO of FC graphite. \"\nWe have confirmed high-grade graphite at surface along approximately 3.3\nkilometres of strike, while portions of the conductive system extend beyond\nthe limits of our original airborne survey. That gives us a compelling reason\nto expand the geophysical coverage and systematically determine how large this\nsystem may ultimately be.\"\n\n\"At the same time, we are advancing metallurgy with COREM, restoring access\nwith Groupe Nipi and preparing for trenching and first-pass diamond drilling.\nThese programs are designed to answer the key questions of continuity,\nthickness, depth and metallurgical performance. Our objective is to determine\nwhether Zone 13, together with the historical resource and additional\ngraphite-bearing targets across our more than 200-square-kilometre land\nposition, has the potential to establish Lac Guéret South as a large-scale,\nhigh-grade North American graphite project.\"\n\nStrategically Located in the Lac Guéret Graphite District\nLac Guéret South, formerly known as the Berkwood Project, is located in\nQuébec's Côte-Nord region in the southwest Manicouagan Reservoir area,\napproximately 234 kilometres north-northwest of Baie-Comeau, on the Nitassinan\n(ancestral territory) of the Pessamit Innu.\n\nThe property borders Nouveau Monde Graphite's Uatnan graphite project, placing\nFC Graphite within an established graphite district that hosts significant\nknown graphite mineralization.\n\nWith high-grade graphite already demonstrated at Zone 1, the extensive new\nZone 13 discovery, multiple additional graphite-bearing targets and a land\nposition exceeding 200 km², the Company believes Lac Guéret South warrants\nsystematic evaluation as a potentially significant North American graphite\nasset.\n\nAbout Corem:\nCorem is a globally recognized centre of expertise and innovation in mineral\nprocessing. With the largest concentration of mineral processing R&D resources\nin Canada, Corem develops innovative solutions in collaboration with its\nmembers, clients, and partners to enhance the performance of the mining\nindustry while reducing its environmental footprint. Its infrastructure,\nincluding a pilot plant and state-of-the-art laboratories in mineral\nprocessing, mineralogy, and hydrometallurgy, enables Corem to support the\nindustry in advancing more efficient and sustainable practices.\n\nAbout FC graphite\nFC graphite is engaged in the exploration of critical minerals and is\ncommitted to advancing its Lac Guéret South high-grade graphite property to\nsupport applications in energy transition and advanced technologies.\n\nThe Lac Guéret South Project (formerly the Berkwood Project) borders Nouveau\nMonde Graphite's Uatnan graphite project in the southwest Manicouagan\nreservoir area, approximately 234 km north-northwest of Baie-Comeau in\nQuébec's Côte-Nord region, on the Nitassinan (ancestral territory) of the\nPessamit Innu.\n\nRecent work at Zone 13 has outlined a significant new high-grade\ngraphite-bearing anomaly with a confirmed strike length of 3.3 km and widths\nexceeding 150 m. Prospecting on this discovery has returned surface and\nnear-surface high-grade graphite, with 46 samples assaying up to 43.4%\ngraphitic carbon (Cg). Refer to the Company's press release dated July 30,\n2026.\n\nThe Project also hosts a historical NI 43-101 mineral resource at Zone 1 of\n1.76 million tonnes indicated at 17% Cg and 1.53 million tonnes inferred at\n16.4% Cg (NI 43-101 Technical Report Mineral Resource Estimate). Multiple\nadditional zones with surface graphite mineralization provide further strong\nexploration potential.\n\nThe Company's land claims and optioned ground now exceed 200 km²,\nestablishing one of the most extensive claim portfolios in the Lac Guéret\nGraphite District. With more than $10 million invested to date and significant\nexploration upside remaining, First Canadian Graphite is focused on expanding\nresources and advancing the project toward a Preliminary Economic Assessment\n(PEA). The Company has sufficient funding to continue advancing Lac Guéret\nSouth through 2026.\n\nThe historical estimates noted herein are not considered a current mineral\nresource or mineral reserve, and sufficient work has not been completed by the\nQualified Person to classify the historical estimate as a current mineral\nresource or mineral reserve, if such is the case under National Instrument\n43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.\n\nPrevious management filed a NI 43-101 Technical Report with a detailed Mineral\nResource Estimate for the Lac Guéret South Project (formerly known as the\nBerkwood Project) completed by independent experts Edward Lyons (Tekhne\nResources), Florent Baril (Bumigeme), and Claude Duplessis (Goldminds\nGeoservices). For the full report and updates visit https://FCGraphite.com or\nunder the Company's profile at the SEDAR website at https://SedarPlus.ca.\n\nData Sources and Current Resource Estimation Methods\nData Sources\n*\nDrilling & Trenching: 45 diamond drillholes (6,232.49 m; 1,194 core samples)\nand 2 trenches (77 m; 28 samples).\n\nBlock Model & Estimation\n*\nSoftware & Supervision: Prepared by Claude Duplessis, P.Eng. (GoldMinds\nGeoservices) using Genesis© software.\n*\nBlock Dimensions & Density: Block size of 3 m × 3 m × 3 m (27 m³) with a\nbulk density of 2.9 g/cm³.\n*\nGrade Interpolation: Carbon grade (% Cgr) was estimated using inverse distance\nweighting constrained strictly to 3,015 composites inside the mineralized\nenvelopes. A variable-direction search ellipsoid was applied to accommodate\nfolding.\n\nEstimation Runs & Classification\n*\nMain Envelope (Indicated & Inferred):\n*\nRun 1: 3 to 9 composites (maximum 2 per drillhole).\n*\nRun 2: 3 to 9 composites (no drillhole limit).\n*\nLayers 01, A, and B (Inferred): 1 run using 3 to 9 composites (maximum 2 per\ndrillhole).\n\nPit Optimization & Metallurgy\n*\nPit Shells: Constrained in MineSight using regional economic parameters and\nMet-Solve Laboratories metallurgical test work (conservative 90% recovery\napplied).\n\nQuality Assurance / Quality Control (QA/QC)\n*\nBlanks inserted every 20th sample returned consistently low grades.\n*\nQuarter-core duplicates and 50 coarse-reject check assays analyzed at ALS\nLaboratory showed close correlation with primary MS Analytical results.\n\nQualified Person\nThe technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved\nby Antoine Fournier, M.Sc., géo, Vice President Exploration for FC graphite\nand a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of\nDisclosure for Mineral Projects.\n\nPessamit Innu First Nation Engagement\nFC graphite formally acknowledges that the Lac Guéret South Project is\nsituated within the Nitassinan (ancestral territory) of the Pessamit Innu\nFirst Nation. The Company remains dedicated to cultivating respectful,\ntransparent, and cooperative relationships with local Indigenous communities\nat every stage of the project's development.\n\nOn Behalf of the Board of Directors\nFirst Canadian Graphite Inc.\n\nSigned:\nJohn LaGourgue, CEO & Director\n\nFor more information, contact:\ninfo@FCGraphite.com\n(604) 838-3376\nhttps://fcgraphite.com/\n\nCautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information\n\nThis news release contains \"forward-looking information\" within the meaning of\nthe applicable Canadian securities legislation that is based on expectations,\nestimates, projections and interpretations as at the date of this news\nrelease. The information in this news release about the Company; and any other\ninformation herein that is not a historical fact may be \"forward-looking\ninformation\" (\"FLI\"). All statements, other than statements of historical\nfact, are FLI and can be identified by the use of statements that include\nwords such as \"anticipates\", \"plans\", \"continues\", \"estimates\", \"expects\",\n\"may\", \"will\", \"projects\", \"predicts\", \"proposes\", \"potential\", \"target\",\n\"implement\", \"scheduled\", \"intends\", \"could\", \"might\", \"should\", \"believe\" and\nsimilar words or expressions. FLI in this new release includes, but is not\nlimited to the Company's ability to successfully fund, or remain fully funded\nfor the implementation of its business strategy and for exploration of any of\nits projects (including from the capital markets), and the expected timing of\nannouncements in this regard. FLI involves known and unknown risks,\nassumptions and other factors that may cause actual results or performance to\ndiffer materially.\n\nThe FLI in this news release reflects the Company's current views about future\nevents, and while considered reasonable by the Company at this time are\ninherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies.\nAccordingly, there can be no certainty that they will accurately reflect\nactual results. Assumptions upon which such FLI is based include, without\nlimitation: the Company's, ability to implement its overall business strategy\nand to fund, explore, advance and develop each of its projects, including\nresults therefrom and timing thereof, the impact of increasing competition in\nthe mineral exploration business, including the Company's competitive position\nin the industry, and general economic conditions, including in relation to\ncurrency controls and interest rate fluctuations.\n\nThe FLI contained in this news release are expressly qualified in their\nentirety by this cautionary statement, the \"Forward-Looking Statements\"\nsection contained in the Company's most recent management's discussion and\nanalysis (MD&A), which is available on SEDAR plus at www.sedarplus.ca. All FLI\nin this news release are made as of the date of this news release. There can\nbe no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual\nresults and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in\nsuch statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on such\nforward-looking information.\n\nThe Company does not undertake to update or revise any forward-looking\ninformation contained herein to reflect new events or circumstances, except as\nmay be required by applicable securities laws.\n\nNeither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that\nterm is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts\nresponsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this News Release.\n\nSOURCE: First Canadian Graphite Inc.\nView the original press release\n(https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/first-canadian-graphite-advances-potential-for-large-scale-high-grade-north-ameri-1209468)\non ACCESS Newswire\n\n\nCopyright 2026 ACCESS Newswire. All Rights Reserved.","article_body_html":"","raw_payload":{"data":{"id":"nACSJyMlWa","title":"First Canadian Graphite Advances Potential For Large-Scale, High-Grade North American Graphite System at Lac Guéret South","author":"ACCESSWIRE","ticker":"FCI","created":"2026-08-20T12:00:09.142Z","tickers":["FCI"],"exchange":"","article_body":"Expanded airborne EM, preliminary metallurgy and fall drilling program\ndesigned to evaluate the scale and continuity of the 3.3-km Zone 13 discovery\n\nMONTREAL, QC / ACCESS Newswire (https://www.accessnewswire.com/) / August 20,\n2026 / First Canadian Graphite (TSXV:FCI)(OTCQB:GRAPF) (\"FC graphite\" or the\n\"Company\") announces an exploration update from its Lac Guéret South Project,\nlocated in the Manicouagan region of Québec, Canada, where recent work at\nZone 13 is highlighting the potential for a large-scale, high-grade North\nAmerican graphite system.\n\nZone 13 has rapidly emerged as the Company's highest-priority exploration\ntarget following the discovery of high-grade graphite mineralization\nassociated with an extensive electromagnetic (\"EM\") anomaly. Surface and\nnear-surface graphite mineralization has now been confirmed along\napproximately 3.3 kilometres of strike and across widths exceeding 150 metres,\nwith 46 samples returning assays of up to 43.4% graphitic carbon (\"Cg\"). Refer\nto the Company's press releases dated July 7, 2026 and July 30, 2026.\n\nImportantly, portions of the conductive system extend beyond the limits of the\nCompany's original airborne survey. FC graphite is therefore expanding its\nexploration program to determine the potential extent of the conductive system\nwhile simultaneously advancing metallurgical testing, access development,\ntrenching and preparations for first-pass diamond drilling planned for fall\n2026.\n\nZone 13 - Testing the Scale of the System\nThe dimensions identified at Zone 13 distinguish it from the more localized\ngraphite occurrences historically explored on the property. Graphite-bearing\noutcrops and near-surface occurrences have now been confirmed over\napproximately 3.3 kilometres, associated with a large and intense conductive\ntrend.\n\nThe Company's original 2026 airborne survey was relatively limited because\navailable historical exploration information did not indicate conductive\nanomalies of the magnitude and intensity subsequently discovered. Several\nconductors identified by the survey extend to, or are cut off by, the survey\nboundaries.\n\nAs a result, FC Graphite has engaged Gatineau-based Prospectair to undertake\nsupplementary magnetic-electromagnetic (\"Mag-EM\") coverage across the\nBoudrias-Esbec option to the north and surrounding the currently defined Zone\n13 discovery. The expanded survey is designed to establish whether the Zone 13\nconductive system continues beyond the area currently mapped and to identify\nadditional conductors for ground follow-up.\n\nIf additional graphite-bearing conductors are confirmed, the work could\nsignificantly expand the prospective footprint of Zone 13 and further support\nthe Company's emerging district-scale exploration model for Lac Guéret South.\nProspectair has confirmed the survey will begin in late August or early\nSeptember.\n\nHigh-Grade Graphite Across a Kilometre-Scale Target\nThe potential scale of Zone 13 is particularly significant when considered\nalongside the grades encountered to date. Recent prospecting returned 46\ngraphite-bearing samples grading up to 43.4% Cg, confirming very high-grade\ngraphite at multiple surface and near-surface locations.\n\nThe Company's exploration strategy is now shifting from identifying graphite\noccurrences to determining their continuity, geometry, thickness and extent at\ndepth. Additional Beep Mat prospecting will be conducted across areas where\naccess is currently being restored and over anomalies identified by the\nforthcoming heliborne Mag-EM survey. The results will be integrated with\ngeological mapping, sampling and trenching to prioritize targets for the\nCompany's first diamond drilling at Zone 13.\n\nThe historical estimates noted herein are not considered a current mineral\nresource or mineral reserve, and sufficient work has not been completed by the\nQualified Person to classify the historical estimate as a current mineral\nresource or mineral reserve, if such is the case under National Instrument\n43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. The Company has never\nupdated this estimate and has no plan to do so in the future, potential for\nadditional resources is believed to be limited along strike and depth.\n\nPrevious management filed a NI 43-101 Technical Report dated June 19 2019,\nwith a detailed Mineral Resource Estimate for the Lac Guéret South Project\n(formerly known as the Berkwood Project) completed by independent experts\nEdward Lyons (Tekhne Resources), Florent Baril (Bumigeme), and Claude\nDuplessis (Goldminds Geoservices). For the full report and updates visit\nhttps://FCGraphite.com or under the Company's profile at the SEDAR website at\nhttps://SedarPlus.ca.\n\nMetallurgical Testing Underway at Corem\nWhile exploration is evaluating the potential physical scale of Zone 13, FC\nGraphite is simultaneously beginning to evaluate its metallurgical\ncharacteristics. Four approximately 20-kilogram samples have been delivered to\nCorem in Québec City for preliminary metallurgical testing. Two samples were\ncollected from recently exposed occurrences within Zone 13. Additional samples\nwere collected from the historical Esbec Graphite Showing and Zone 6.\n\nZone 6 has been included as a control because material from the zone was the\nsubject of previous metallurgical testing, allowing the Company to compare the\ncharacteristics of the newly discovered Zone 13 graphite with previously\nevaluated material from elsewhere on Lac Guéret South.\n\nCorem's program will include crushing and grinding followed by small-scale\nflotation concentration and flake classification. Testing will evaluate:\n*\ngraphite liberation;\n*\nflake-size distribution;\n*\nconcentrate purity; and\n*\nflotation and concentration characteristics.\n\nCorem will also undertake detailed mineralogical studies to support future\nmetallurgical characterization and process development. The program is\nintended to provide an early indication of whether the very high-grade\ngraphite encountered at Zone 13 can be efficiently upgraded into a\nhigh-quality graphite concentrate using conventional processing techniques.\nDemonstrating favourable metallurgy alongside substantial scale would\nrepresent an important step in establishing the potential commercial\nsignificance of the Zone 13 discovery.\n\nPreparing Zone 13 for First-Pass Drilling\nThe Company has contracted Groupe Nipi of Pessamit to re-establish access to\nportions of Lac Guéret South where tag alders have overgrown previously\nestablished roads. The restored access will support additional prospecting and\nsampling while providing access for the Company's planned trenching and\ndiamond drilling programs in fall 2026. Fall and winter exploration programs\nare currently being prepared and will commence following receipt of an\nAuthorization for Impact-Causing Exploration Work (\"ATI\"), to be submitted\nshortly.\n\nTrenching will expose selected sections of the conductive system and assist\nthe Company in establishing geological controls, mineralized widths and\noptimal drill locations. The subsequent first-pass diamond drilling program\nwill represent the Company's first opportunity to systematically test the Zone\n13 system below surface and begin establishing its true width, continuity,\ngrade and depth potential.\n\nBuilding a Large-Scale Graphite Project\nZone 13 is being evaluated within a substantially larger graphite property.\nLac Guéret South already hosts a historical NI 43-101 mineral resource at\nZone 1 of 1.76 million tonnes indicated grading 17% Cg and 1.53 million tonnes\ninferred grading 16.4% Cg. Multiple additional graphite-bearing zones and\nconductive anomalies occur elsewhere across the property. FC graphite's claims\nand optioned ground now exceed 200 km², establishing one of the most\nextensive land positions in the Lac Guéret Graphite District. The emerging\nopportunity therefore extends beyond the expansion of the historical Zone 1\nresource.\n\nThe Company's broader objective is to determine whether Zone 13 and the\nadditional conductive systems across Lac Guéret South have the potential to\nestablish the project as a large-scale, high-grade graphite system within\nNorth America. More than $10 million has been invested in Lac Guéret South to\ndate, while significant portions of the property remain underexplored.\n\nA Clear Exploration Path\nFC Graphite is advancing Zone 13 through a systematic exploration sequence:\n\nExpanded airborne Mag-EM - ground prospecting - metallurgical testing -\ntrenching - diamond drilling - potential resource definition and expansion.\n\nEach stage is designed to reduce geological and metallurgical uncertainty\nwhile progressively testing the potential scale of the system. The expanded\nairborne survey will investigate the extent of the conductive footprint.\nGround prospecting and trenching will determine whether additional conductors\ncorrespond with graphite mineralization. COREM's work will provide the first\nmetallurgical characterization of the newly discovered Zone 13 material.\nDiamond drilling will then begin testing whether the high-grade graphite\nobserved over the extensive surface footprint continues at depth.\n\nTogether, these programs are intended to determine whether Zone 13 represents\nan isolated high-grade discovery or part of a much larger graphite system.\n\n\"The significance of Zone 13 is increasingly about the combination of grade\nand potential scale,\" said John LaGourgue, President and CEO of FC graphite. \"\nWe have confirmed high-grade graphite at surface along approximately 3.3\nkilometres of strike, while portions of the conductive system extend beyond\nthe limits of our original airborne survey. That gives us a compelling reason\nto expand the geophysical coverage and systematically determine how large this\nsystem may ultimately be.\"\n\n\"At the same time, we are advancing metallurgy with COREM, restoring access\nwith Groupe Nipi and preparing for trenching and first-pass diamond drilling.\nThese programs are designed to answer the key questions of continuity,\nthickness, depth and metallurgical performance. Our objective is to determine\nwhether Zone 13, together with the historical resource and additional\ngraphite-bearing targets across our more than 200-square-kilometre land\nposition, has the potential to establish Lac Guéret South as a large-scale,\nhigh-grade North American graphite project.\"\n\nStrategically Located in the Lac Guéret Graphite District\nLac Guéret South, formerly known as the Berkwood Project, is located in\nQuébec's Côte-Nord region in the southwest Manicouagan Reservoir area,\napproximately 234 kilometres north-northwest of Baie-Comeau, on the Nitassinan\n(ancestral territory) of the Pessamit Innu.\n\nThe property borders Nouveau Monde Graphite's Uatnan graphite project, placing\nFC Graphite within an established graphite district that hosts significant\nknown graphite mineralization.\n\nWith high-grade graphite already demonstrated at Zone 1, the extensive new\nZone 13 discovery, multiple additional graphite-bearing targets and a land\nposition exceeding 200 km², the Company believes Lac Guéret South warrants\nsystematic evaluation as a potentially significant North American graphite\nasset.\n\nAbout Corem:\nCorem is a globally recognized centre of expertise and innovation in mineral\nprocessing. With the largest concentration of mineral processing R&D resources\nin Canada, Corem develops innovative solutions in collaboration with its\nmembers, clients, and partners to enhance the performance of the mining\nindustry while reducing its environmental footprint. Its infrastructure,\nincluding a pilot plant and state-of-the-art laboratories in mineral\nprocessing, mineralogy, and hydrometallurgy, enables Corem to support the\nindustry in advancing more efficient and sustainable practices.\n\nAbout FC graphite\nFC graphite is engaged in the exploration of critical minerals and is\ncommitted to advancing its Lac Guéret South high-grade graphite property to\nsupport applications in energy transition and advanced technologies.\n\nThe Lac Guéret South Project (formerly the Berkwood Project) borders Nouveau\nMonde Graphite's Uatnan graphite project in the southwest Manicouagan\nreservoir area, approximately 234 km north-northwest of Baie-Comeau in\nQuébec's Côte-Nord region, on the Nitassinan (ancestral territory) of the\nPessamit Innu.\n\nRecent work at Zone 13 has outlined a significant new high-grade\ngraphite-bearing anomaly with a confirmed strike length of 3.3 km and widths\nexceeding 150 m. Prospecting on this discovery has returned surface and\nnear-surface high-grade graphite, with 46 samples assaying up to 43.4%\ngraphitic carbon (Cg). Refer to the Company's press release dated July 30,\n2026.\n\nThe Project also hosts a historical NI 43-101 mineral resource at Zone 1 of\n1.76 million tonnes indicated at 17% Cg and 1.53 million tonnes inferred at\n16.4% Cg (NI 43-101 Technical Report Mineral Resource Estimate). Multiple\nadditional zones with surface graphite mineralization provide further strong\nexploration potential.\n\nThe Company's land claims and optioned ground now exceed 200 km²,\nestablishing one of the most extensive claim portfolios in the Lac Guéret\nGraphite District. With more than $10 million invested to date and significant\nexploration upside remaining, First Canadian Graphite is focused on expanding\nresources and advancing the project toward a Preliminary Economic Assessment\n(PEA). The Company has sufficient funding to continue advancing Lac Guéret\nSouth through 2026.\n\nThe historical estimates noted herein are not considered a current mineral\nresource or mineral reserve, and sufficient work has not been completed by the\nQualified Person to classify the historical estimate as a current mineral\nresource or mineral reserve, if such is the case under National Instrument\n43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.\n\nPrevious management filed a NI 43-101 Technical Report with a detailed Mineral\nResource Estimate for the Lac Guéret South Project (formerly known as the\nBerkwood Project) completed by independent experts Edward Lyons (Tekhne\nResources), Florent Baril (Bumigeme), and Claude Duplessis (Goldminds\nGeoservices). For the full report and updates visit https://FCGraphite.com or\nunder the Company's profile at the SEDAR website at https://SedarPlus.ca.\n\nData Sources and Current Resource Estimation Methods\nData Sources\n*\nDrilling & Trenching: 45 diamond drillholes (6,232.49 m; 1,194 core samples)\nand 2 trenches (77 m; 28 samples).\n\nBlock Model & Estimation\n*\nSoftware & Supervision: Prepared by Claude Duplessis, P.Eng. (GoldMinds\nGeoservices) using Genesis© software.\n*\nBlock Dimensions & Density: Block size of 3 m × 3 m × 3 m (27 m³) with a\nbulk density of 2.9 g/cm³.\n*\nGrade Interpolation: Carbon grade (% Cgr) was estimated using inverse distance\nweighting constrained strictly to 3,015 composites inside the mineralized\nenvelopes. A variable-direction search ellipsoid was applied to accommodate\nfolding.\n\nEstimation Runs & Classification\n*\nMain Envelope (Indicated & Inferred):\n*\nRun 1: 3 to 9 composites (maximum 2 per drillhole).\n*\nRun 2: 3 to 9 composites (no drillhole limit).\n*\nLayers 01, A, and B (Inferred): 1 run using 3 to 9 composites (maximum 2 per\ndrillhole).\n\nPit Optimization & Metallurgy\n*\nPit Shells: Constrained in MineSight using regional economic parameters and\nMet-Solve Laboratories metallurgical test work (conservative 90% recovery\napplied).\n\nQuality Assurance / Quality Control (QA/QC)\n*\nBlanks inserted every 20th sample returned consistently low grades.\n*\nQuarter-core duplicates and 50 coarse-reject check assays analyzed at ALS\nLaboratory showed close correlation with primary MS Analytical results.\n\nQualified Person\nThe technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved\nby Antoine Fournier, M.Sc., géo, Vice President Exploration for FC graphite\nand a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of\nDisclosure for Mineral Projects.\n\nPessamit Innu First Nation Engagement\nFC graphite formally acknowledges that the Lac Guéret South Project is\nsituated within the Nitassinan (ancestral territory) of the Pessamit Innu\nFirst Nation. The Company remains dedicated to cultivating respectful,\ntransparent, and cooperative relationships with local Indigenous communities\nat every stage of the project's development.\n\nOn Behalf of the Board of Directors\nFirst Canadian Graphite Inc.\n\nSigned:\nJohn LaGourgue, CEO & Director\n\nFor more information, contact:\ninfo@FCGraphite.com\n(604) 838-3376\nhttps://fcgraphite.com/\n\nCautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information\n\nThis news release contains \"forward-looking information\" within the meaning of\nthe applicable Canadian securities legislation that is based on expectations,\nestimates, projections and interpretations as at the date of this news\nrelease. The information in this news release about the Company; and any other\ninformation herein that is not a historical fact may be \"forward-looking\ninformation\" (\"FLI\"). All statements, other than statements of historical\nfact, are FLI and can be identified by the use of statements that include\nwords such as \"anticipates\", \"plans\", \"continues\", \"estimates\", \"expects\",\n\"may\", \"will\", \"projects\", \"predicts\", \"proposes\", \"potential\", \"target\",\n\"implement\", \"scheduled\", \"intends\", \"could\", \"might\", \"should\", \"believe\" and\nsimilar words or expressions. FLI in this new release includes, but is not\nlimited to the Company's ability to successfully fund, or remain fully funded\nfor the implementation of its business strategy and for exploration of any of\nits projects (including from the capital markets), and the expected timing of\nannouncements in this regard. FLI involves known and unknown risks,\nassumptions and other factors that may cause actual results or performance to\ndiffer materially.\n\nThe FLI in this news release reflects the Company's current views about future\nevents, and while considered reasonable by the Company at this time are\ninherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies.\nAccordingly, there can be no certainty that they will accurately reflect\nactual results. Assumptions upon which such FLI is based include, without\nlimitation: the Company's, ability to implement its overall business strategy\nand to fund, explore, advance and develop each of its projects, including\nresults therefrom and timing thereof, the impact of increasing competition in\nthe mineral exploration business, including the Company's competitive position\nin the industry, and general economic conditions, including in relation to\ncurrency controls and interest rate fluctuations.\n\nThe FLI contained in this news release are expressly qualified in their\nentirety by this cautionary statement, the \"Forward-Looking Statements\"\nsection contained in the Company's most recent management's discussion and\nanalysis (MD&A), which is available on SEDAR plus at www.sedarplus.ca. All FLI\nin this news release are made as of the date of this news release. There can\nbe no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual\nresults and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in\nsuch statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on such\nforward-looking information.\n\nThe Company does not undertake to update or revise any forward-looking\ninformation contained herein to reflect new events or circumstances, except as\nmay be required by applicable securities laws.\n\nNeither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that\nterm is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts\nresponsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this News Release.\n\nSOURCE: First Canadian Graphite Inc.\nView the original press release\n(https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/first-canadian-graphite-advances-potential-for-large-scale-high-grade-north-ameri-1209468)\non ACCESS Newswire\n\n\nCopyright 2026 ACCESS Newswire. All Rights Reserved."},"type":"article","timestamp":"2026-08-20T12:00:09.196315456Z","server_sent_at_ms":1787227209196},"received_at":"2026-08-20T12:00:09.248Z","source_url":"https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/first-canadian-graphite-advances-potential-for-large-scale-high-grade-north-ameri-1209468"},"analysis":{"id":"112872","press_release_id":"123897","analysis_json":{"industry":{"label":"Metals & Mining","sector":"Materials"},"redFlags":["historical resource estimates are not current mineral resources under NI 43-101","pre-revenue company relying on exploration success"],"eventType":"operations_update","narrative":"First Canadian Graphite announced exploration progress at its Lac Guéret South Project, confirming high-grade graphite mineralization along a 3.3-km strike at Zone 13 with assays up to 43.4% Cg.\n\nThe company is expanding its airborne Mag-EM survey and conducting metallurgical testing with Corem in preparation for first-pass diamond drilling in fall 2026.\n\nThe property hosts a historical NI 43-101 resource of 1.76 million tonnes indicated at 17% Cg, and the company holds over 200 km² of claims in the Lac Guéret Graphite District.","sentiment":"bullish","agentHooks":{"shouldPost":false,"suggestedAngle":"Junior miner updates exploration results with high-grade surface samples, but drilling pending."},"keyFigures":{"customDimensions":{"max_width_m":150,"samples_analyzed":46,"strike_length_km":3.3,"land_position_km2":200,"max_grade_percent":43.4,"investment_to_date_usd":10000000,"historical_inferred_grade_percent":16.4,"historical_indicated_grade_percent":17,"historical_inferred_resource_tonnes":1530000,"historical_indicated_resource_tonnes":1760000}},"quotedText":"We have confirmed high-grade graphite at surface along approximately 3.3 kilometres of strike, while portions of the conductive system extend beyond the limits of our original airborne survey.","namedEntities":{"people":[{"name":"John LaGourgue","role":"President and CEO"},{"name":"Antoine Fournier","role":"Vice President Exploration"},{"name":"Edward Lyons","role":"Independent expert (Tekhne Resources)"},{"name":"Florent Baril","role":"Independent expert (Bumigeme)"},{"name":"Claude Duplessis","role":"Independent expert (Goldminds Geoservices)"}],"products":["Lac Guéret South Project","Zone 13","Uatnan graphite project"],"companies":[{"name":"First Canadian Graphite","ticker":"FCI"},{"name":"Prospectair","relationship":"contractor"},{"name":"Corem","relationship":"metallurgical testing lab"},{"name":"Groupe Nipi","relationship":"contractor"},{"name":"Nouveau Monde Graphite","relationship":"neighbor"}],"dollarAmounts":[{"amount":"$10 million","context":"invested in Lac Guéret South to date"}]},"materialImpact":{"score":2,"reasoning":"Exploration update identifying a high-grade 3.3-km strike length with assays up to 43.4% Cg. While encouraging for a junior miner, this is early-stage surface work with no resource definition yet; company remains pre-revenue."},"tickerRelevance":{"others":[],"primary":"FCI"},"globalImportance":10,"audienceRelevance":15,"eventTypeSecondary":[],"importanceComponents":{"tickerTier":"micro-cap","eventGravity":"exploration-update","sectorWeight":"materials","revenueStatus":"pre-revenue"}},"event_type":"operations_update","event_type_secondary":null,"sentiment":"bullish","material_impact_score":2,"narrative":"First Canadian Graphite announced exploration progress at its Lac Guéret South Project, confirming high-grade graphite mineralization along a 3.3-km strike at Zone 13 with assays up to 43.4% Cg.\n\nThe company is expanding its airborne Mag-EM survey and conducting metallurgical testing with Corem in preparation for first-pass diamond drilling in fall 2026.\n\nThe property hosts a historical NI 43-101 resource of 1.76 million tonnes indicated at 17% Cg, and the company holds over 200 km² of claims in the Lac Guéret Graphite District.","key_figures":{"customDimensions":{"max_width_m":150,"samples_analyzed":46,"strike_length_km":3.3,"land_position_km2":200,"max_grade_percent":43.4,"investment_to_date_usd":10000000,"historical_inferred_grade_percent":16.4,"historical_indicated_grade_percent":17,"historical_inferred_resource_tonnes":1530000,"historical_indicated_resource_tonnes":1760000}},"named_entities":{"people":[{"name":"John LaGourgue","role":"President and CEO"},{"name":"Antoine Fournier","role":"Vice President Exploration"},{"name":"Edward Lyons","role":"Independent expert (Tekhne Resources)"},{"name":"Florent Baril","role":"Independent expert (Bumigeme)"},{"name":"Claude Duplessis","role":"Independent expert (Goldminds Geoservices)"}],"products":["Lac Guéret South Project","Zone 13","Uatnan graphite project"],"companies":[{"name":"First Canadian Graphite","ticker":"FCI"},{"name":"Prospectair","relationship":"contractor"},{"name":"Corem","relationship":"metallurgical testing lab"},{"name":"Groupe Nipi","relationship":"contractor"},{"name":"Nouveau Monde Graphite","relationship":"neighbor"}],"dollarAmounts":[{"amount":"$10 million","context":"invested in Lac Guéret South to date"}]},"model_name":"glm-4.7","prompt_hash":"sha256:727b4b9429a443af","schema_hash":"sha256:05005c02d9cffac9","created_at":"2026-08-20T13:12:20.078Z","global_importance":10,"audience_relevance":15,"importance_components":{"tickerTier":"micro-cap","eventGravity":"exploration-update","sectorWeight":"materials","revenueStatus":"pre-revenue"}},"durationMs":119580,"modelName":"glm-4.7"}}