{"success":true,"data":{"pressRelease":{"id":"84407","rtpr_id":"nACSc7Qp7a","ticker":"FCI","exchange":"","all_tickers":["FCI"],"title":"Corporate Update","author":"ACCESSWIRE","published_at":"2026-07-09T12:00:01.439Z","article_body":"MONTREAL, QC / ACCESS Newswire (https://www.accessnewswire.com/) / July 9,\n2026 / First Canadian Graphite Inc. (TSXV:FCI)(OTCQB:GRAPF) (\"FC graphite\" or\nthe \"Company\") is pleased to announce that the successful virtual annual and\nspecial general meeting of shareholders was held on July 7, 2026. A total of\n16,292,900 common shares (approximately 36.23% of the outstanding common\nshares) were represented in person or proxy.\n\n1. NUMBER OF DIRECTORS\n\nResolution to set the number of directors of the Company for the ensuing year\nat five (5) persons was passed by 97.39% FOR, 2.61% AGAINST and 0.00%\nWithheld/Abstained.\n\n2. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS\n\nEach of the following individuals were elected as directors of the Company as\napproved by a vote by ballot, for a term expiring at the conclusion of the\nnext annual meeting of shareholders of the Company or until their successors\nare elected or appointed, as follows:\n\n Name                    Votes \"For\" (%)  Votes \"Against\" (%)  Votes \"Withheld/Abstained\" (%)  \n John LaGourgue          96.25%           0.00%                3.75%                           \n Michael Iverson         96.22%           0.00%                3.78%                           \n Rich Beaven             99.97%           0.00%                0.03%                           \n Hon. Christian Paradis  99.97%           0.00%                0.03%                           \n Alberto De Luca         99.97%           0.00%                0.03%                           \n\nThe Company is pleased to announce the appointment of the new board members\nand would like to introduce them along with the current directors to the\nshareholders. Below is a brief biography for each.\n\nJohn LaGourgue, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director - Mr.\nLaGourgue brings extensive experience in leadership, capital markets,\ncommercial and governmental relations, business development, and operations in\nthe resource sector. He has a proven track record in project oversight,\ncorporate finance, risk management, and commercial operations. This includes\nover 25 years in senior executive roles, board positions, advisory roles, and\ninvestments in private and public companies with a focus on microcap issuers.\nMr. LaGourgue has successfully led commercial and mining exploration programs,\nsecured more than $100 million in debt and equity funding, and advanced\nprojects through multiple stages. From 2016 to late 2024 Mr. LaGourgue was a\nsenior officer and/or director of Vicinity Motor Corp. Until his appointment\nto CEO of First Canadian Graphite he was managing his personal investment\nportfolio and was active in the MicroCap community.\n\nMichael Iveson, Director (independent) - President of Triple K Ventures Ltd.,\na private investment and consulting company; director and executive officer of\nnumerous public companies since January 1998.\n\nRich Beaven (independent) - Mr. Rich Beaven is an equity research analyst and\nportfolio manager since 1995 with a primary focus on the materials, energy and\ndurables sectors. Mr. Beaven started with a $2b wealth management firm in\nSpokane, WA and subsequently became a founding member and minority owner of\nSignia Capital in 2002. Transitioned to co-ownership of Signia Capital in\n2020.\n\nHon. Christian Paradis, P.C., LL.B., Director (independent) - Hon. Christian\nParadis was called to the Quebec Bar in 1997, elected Member of Parliament\nfrom 2006 to 2015. Appointed to cabinet in 2008 and notably served as Minister\nof Industry and Natural Resources. Previously practiced law, specializing in\ncorporate law. In 2016 served as Senior Vice President of Strategic\nDevelopment at the multinational security firm GardaWorld. Currently a senior\nadvisor and CEO of Paradis Solutions & Associates, a firm founded in 2020\nwhich focuses on business development. Member of the King's Privy Council for\nCanada and recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012)\nand the King Charles III's Coronation Medal (2025).\n\nAlberto De Luca, Director (independent) - Mr. Albert De Luca, a Fellow CPA is\na retired tax partner of Deloitte Canada. Albert spent the greater part of his\nprofessional career working with leading organizations in Canada and abroad\nwhich invest extensively in innovation which enhances their industrial base,\nfrom ITC to metals & mining and many others. Such experience was key to\nhelping attract some of the largest foreign investments to Canada. Albert's\npoint of view has consistently been sought out by the federal and the Quebec\ngovernments in those policy matters which are relevant for industries which\nform the backbone of Canada and Quebec's economy. Mr. De Luca chaired and is\nboard member of numerous Quebec government sponsored organizations which\npromote industrial innovation (such as Axelys, CENTECH and ADRIQ).\n\n3. APPOINTMENT OF AUDITOR\n\nThe appointment of Smythe LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, as the\nauditor of the Company, to hold office until the next annual meeting of\nshareholders of the Company, and the authorization of the directors of the\nCompany to fix the auditor's remuneration, was approved by a resolution passed\nby a vote by ballot, with 16,266,313 (99.84%) total votes cast \"FOR\" and\n26,586 (0.16%) Withheld/Abstain.\n\n4. APPROVAL 2026 OMNIBUS SHARE INCENTIVE PLAN\n\nResolution to approve the 2026 Omnibus Share Incentive Plan passed by a\nresolution of disinterested shareholders by a vote by ballot, with 11,383,501\n(94.04%) total votes cast \"FOR\" and 721,621 (5.96%) \"AGAINST\".\n\nOTHER MATTERS\n\nThe board of directors held a meeting to appoint the following:\n\nAppointment of Officers\n\n John LaGourgue    Chief Executive Officer and President  \n Scott Kelly       Chief Financial Officer                \n Antoine Fournier  Vice-President Exploration             \n Shelley McDonald  Corporate Secretary                    \n\nAppointment of Audit Committee\n\nJohn LaGourgue\nMichael Iverson\nAlberto De Luca\n\nCompensation, Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee Charter\n\nThe board adopted and approved a Compensation, Corporate Governance and\nNominating Committee Charter and the following directors were be appointed to\nthe Committee for the ensuing year:\n\nJohn LaGourgue\nRich Beaven\nHon. Christian Paradis\n\nAbout FC graphite\n\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 known as the Berkwood Project, borders\nNouveau Monde Graphite's Uatnan graphite project in the southwest Manicouagan\nreservoir area, 234 km north-northwest of Baie-Comeau, in the Côte-Nord\nadministrative region of Québec on the Nitassinan (ancestral territory) of\nthe Pessamit Innu. Lac Guéret South features surface-exposed graphite and a\nhistorical NI 43-101 compliant resource at Zone 1 containing: 1.76 million\ntonnes indicated at 17% Cg and 1.53 million tonnes inferred at 16.4% Cg (NI\n43-101 Technical Report Mineral Resource Estimate). The property also features\nseveral other zones with surface graphite samples, offering strong exploration\npotential. In early 2026, the Company increased its land holdings to 167 km²,\nestablishing one of the most extensive claim portfolios within the Lac Guéret\nGraphite District. With substantial exploration opportunities remaining and\ntotal investments exceeding $10 million, FCI is actively engaged in expanding\nits resources and advancing toward the completion of its Preliminary Economic\nAssessment (PEA). The Company possesses sufficient funding to further advance\nthis project throughout 2026.\n\nPessamit Innu First Nation Engagement\n\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:\n\nJohn LaGourgue, CEO & Director\n\nFor more information, contact:\ninfo@FCGraphite.com\n(604) 838-3376\nhttps://fcgraphite.com/\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/corporate-update-1188755)\non ACCESS Newswire\n\n\nCopyright 2026 ACCESS Newswire. All Rights Reserved.","article_body_html":"","raw_payload":{"data":{"id":"nACSc7Qp7a","title":"Corporate Update","author":"ACCESSWIRE","ticker":"FCI","created":"2026-07-09T12:00:01.439Z","tickers":["FCI"],"exchange":"","article_body":"MONTREAL, QC / ACCESS Newswire (https://www.accessnewswire.com/) / July 9,\n2026 / First Canadian Graphite Inc. (TSXV:FCI)(OTCQB:GRAPF) (\"FC graphite\" or\nthe \"Company\") is pleased to announce that the successful virtual annual and\nspecial general meeting of shareholders was held on July 7, 2026. A total of\n16,292,900 common shares (approximately 36.23% of the outstanding common\nshares) were represented in person or proxy.\n\n1. NUMBER OF DIRECTORS\n\nResolution to set the number of directors of the Company for the ensuing year\nat five (5) persons was passed by 97.39% FOR, 2.61% AGAINST and 0.00%\nWithheld/Abstained.\n\n2. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS\n\nEach of the following individuals were elected as directors of the Company as\napproved by a vote by ballot, for a term expiring at the conclusion of the\nnext annual meeting of shareholders of the Company or until their successors\nare elected or appointed, as follows:\n\n Name                    Votes \"For\" (%)  Votes \"Against\" (%)  Votes \"Withheld/Abstained\" (%)  \n John LaGourgue          96.25%           0.00%                3.75%                           \n Michael Iverson         96.22%           0.00%                3.78%                           \n Rich Beaven             99.97%           0.00%                0.03%                           \n Hon. Christian Paradis  99.97%           0.00%                0.03%                           \n Alberto De Luca         99.97%           0.00%                0.03%                           \n\nThe Company is pleased to announce the appointment of the new board members\nand would like to introduce them along with the current directors to the\nshareholders. Below is a brief biography for each.\n\nJohn LaGourgue, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director - Mr.\nLaGourgue brings extensive experience in leadership, capital markets,\ncommercial and governmental relations, business development, and operations in\nthe resource sector. He has a proven track record in project oversight,\ncorporate finance, risk management, and commercial operations. This includes\nover 25 years in senior executive roles, board positions, advisory roles, and\ninvestments in private and public companies with a focus on microcap issuers.\nMr. LaGourgue has successfully led commercial and mining exploration programs,\nsecured more than $100 million in debt and equity funding, and advanced\nprojects through multiple stages. From 2016 to late 2024 Mr. LaGourgue was a\nsenior officer and/or director of Vicinity Motor Corp. Until his appointment\nto CEO of First Canadian Graphite he was managing his personal investment\nportfolio and was active in the MicroCap community.\n\nMichael Iveson, Director (independent) - President of Triple K Ventures Ltd.,\na private investment and consulting company; director and executive officer of\nnumerous public companies since January 1998.\n\nRich Beaven (independent) - Mr. Rich Beaven is an equity research analyst and\nportfolio manager since 1995 with a primary focus on the materials, energy and\ndurables sectors. Mr. Beaven started with a $2b wealth management firm in\nSpokane, WA and subsequently became a founding member and minority owner of\nSignia Capital in 2002. Transitioned to co-ownership of Signia Capital in\n2020.\n\nHon. Christian Paradis, P.C., LL.B., Director (independent) - Hon. Christian\nParadis was called to the Quebec Bar in 1997, elected Member of Parliament\nfrom 2006 to 2015. Appointed to cabinet in 2008 and notably served as Minister\nof Industry and Natural Resources. Previously practiced law, specializing in\ncorporate law. In 2016 served as Senior Vice President of Strategic\nDevelopment at the multinational security firm GardaWorld. Currently a senior\nadvisor and CEO of Paradis Solutions & Associates, a firm founded in 2020\nwhich focuses on business development. Member of the King's Privy Council for\nCanada and recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012)\nand the King Charles III's Coronation Medal (2025).\n\nAlberto De Luca, Director (independent) - Mr. Albert De Luca, a Fellow CPA is\na retired tax partner of Deloitte Canada. Albert spent the greater part of his\nprofessional career working with leading organizations in Canada and abroad\nwhich invest extensively in innovation which enhances their industrial base,\nfrom ITC to metals & mining and many others. Such experience was key to\nhelping attract some of the largest foreign investments to Canada. Albert's\npoint of view has consistently been sought out by the federal and the Quebec\ngovernments in those policy matters which are relevant for industries which\nform the backbone of Canada and Quebec's economy. Mr. De Luca chaired and is\nboard member of numerous Quebec government sponsored organizations which\npromote industrial innovation (such as Axelys, CENTECH and ADRIQ).\n\n3. APPOINTMENT OF AUDITOR\n\nThe appointment of Smythe LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, as the\nauditor of the Company, to hold office until the next annual meeting of\nshareholders of the Company, and the authorization of the directors of the\nCompany to fix the auditor's remuneration, was approved by a resolution passed\nby a vote by ballot, with 16,266,313 (99.84%) total votes cast \"FOR\" and\n26,586 (0.16%) Withheld/Abstain.\n\n4. APPROVAL 2026 OMNIBUS SHARE INCENTIVE PLAN\n\nResolution to approve the 2026 Omnibus Share Incentive Plan passed by a\nresolution of disinterested shareholders by a vote by ballot, with 11,383,501\n(94.04%) total votes cast \"FOR\" and 721,621 (5.96%) \"AGAINST\".\n\nOTHER MATTERS\n\nThe board of directors held a meeting to appoint the following:\n\nAppointment of Officers\n\n John LaGourgue    Chief Executive Officer and President  \n Scott Kelly       Chief Financial Officer                \n Antoine Fournier  Vice-President Exploration             \n Shelley McDonald  Corporate Secretary                    \n\nAppointment of Audit Committee\n\nJohn LaGourgue\nMichael Iverson\nAlberto De Luca\n\nCompensation, Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee Charter\n\nThe board adopted and approved a Compensation, Corporate Governance and\nNominating Committee Charter and the following directors were be appointed to\nthe Committee for the ensuing year:\n\nJohn LaGourgue\nRich Beaven\nHon. Christian Paradis\n\nAbout FC graphite\n\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 known as the Berkwood Project, borders\nNouveau Monde Graphite's Uatnan graphite project in the southwest Manicouagan\nreservoir area, 234 km north-northwest of Baie-Comeau, in the Côte-Nord\nadministrative region of Québec on the Nitassinan (ancestral territory) of\nthe Pessamit Innu. Lac Guéret South features surface-exposed graphite and a\nhistorical NI 43-101 compliant resource at Zone 1 containing: 1.76 million\ntonnes indicated at 17% Cg and 1.53 million tonnes inferred at 16.4% Cg (NI\n43-101 Technical Report Mineral Resource Estimate). The property also features\nseveral other zones with surface graphite samples, offering strong exploration\npotential. In early 2026, the Company increased its land holdings to 167 km²,\nestablishing one of the most extensive claim portfolios within the Lac Guéret\nGraphite District. With substantial exploration opportunities remaining and\ntotal investments exceeding $10 million, FCI is actively engaged in expanding\nits resources and advancing toward the completion of its Preliminary Economic\nAssessment (PEA). The Company possesses sufficient funding to further advance\nthis project throughout 2026.\n\nPessamit Innu First Nation Engagement\n\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:\n\nJohn LaGourgue, CEO & Director\n\nFor more information, contact:\ninfo@FCGraphite.com\n(604) 838-3376\nhttps://fcgraphite.com/\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/corporate-update-1188755)\non ACCESS Newswire\n\n\nCopyright 2026 ACCESS Newswire. All Rights Reserved."},"type":"article","timestamp":"2026-07-09T12:00:01.683077516Z","server_sent_at_ms":1783598401683},"received_at":"2026-07-09T12:00:01.733Z","source_url":"https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/corporate-update-1188755"},"analysis":{"id":"73475","press_release_id":"84407","analysis_json":{"industry":{"label":"Metals & Mining","sector":"Materials"},"redFlags":[],"eventType":"board_change","narrative":"First Canadian Graphite Inc. held its annual and special general meeting on July 7, 2026, where shareholders re-elected the board of directors and approved the 2026 Omnibus Share Incentive Plan.\n\nFollowing the meeting, the board appointed John LaGourgue as CEO and President, Scott Kelly as CFO, and established the Audit and Corporate Governance committees.\n\nThe company confirmed it possesses sufficient funding to advance the Lac Guéret South graphite project throughout 2026, citing historical resources of 1.76 million indicated tonnes and 1.53 million inferred tonnes.","sentiment":"neutral","agentHooks":{"shouldPost":false,"suggestedAngle":"Routine governance update confirms leadership team and funding runway for 2026."},"keyFigures":{"customDimensions":{"votes_for_auditor":16266313,"votes_represented":16292900,"land_holdings_sq_km":167,"resource_inferred_grade":"16.4% Cg","resource_indicated_grade":"17% Cg","resource_inferred_tonnes":1530000,"votes_for_incentive_plan":11383501,"resource_indicated_tonnes":1760000}},"quotedText":"The Company possesses sufficient funding to further advance this project throughout 2026.","namedEntities":{"people":[{"name":"John LaGourgue","role":"Chief Executive Officer and Director"},{"name":"Michael Iverson","role":"Director"},{"name":"Rich Beaven","role":"Director"},{"name":"Hon. Christian Paradis","role":"Director"},{"name":"Alberto De Luca","role":"Director"},{"name":"Scott Kelly","role":"Chief Financial Officer"},{"name":"Antoine Fournier","role":"Vice-President Exploration"},{"name":"Shelley McDonald","role":"Corporate Secretary"}],"products":["Lac Guéret South Project","2026 Omnibus Share Incentive Plan"],"companies":[{"name":"First Canadian Graphite Inc.","ticker":"FCI"},{"name":"Nouveau Monde Graphite","relationship":"neighbor / project proximity"},{"name":"Smythe LLP","relationship":"auditor"},{"name":"Deloitte Canada","relationship":"former employer of director"},{"name":"GardaWorld","relationship":"former employer of director"}],"dollarAmounts":[{"amount":"$10 million","context":"total investments to date in Lac Guéret South Project"}]},"materialImpact":{"score":1,"reasoning":"Routine annual and special meeting results including the ratification of director elections and officer appointments. No material strategic shifts or financial surprises announced."},"tickerRelevance":{"others":[{"ticker":"GRAPF","relevance":"alternative listing (OTCQB)"}],"primary":"FCI"},"globalImportance":10,"audienceRelevance":15,"eventTypeSecondary":["executive_change"],"importanceComponents":{"tickerTier":"micro-cap","eventGravity":"routine_governance","sectorWeight":"materials"}},"event_type":"board_change","event_type_secondary":["executive_change"],"sentiment":"neutral","material_impact_score":1,"narrative":"First Canadian Graphite Inc. held its annual and special general meeting on July 7, 2026, where shareholders re-elected the board of directors and approved the 2026 Omnibus Share Incentive Plan.\n\nFollowing the meeting, the board appointed John LaGourgue as CEO and President, Scott Kelly as CFO, and established the Audit and Corporate Governance committees.\n\nThe company confirmed it possesses sufficient funding to advance the Lac Guéret South graphite project throughout 2026, citing historical resources of 1.76 million indicated tonnes and 1.53 million inferred tonnes.","key_figures":{"customDimensions":{"votes_for_auditor":16266313,"votes_represented":16292900,"land_holdings_sq_km":167,"resource_inferred_grade":"16.4% Cg","resource_indicated_grade":"17% Cg","resource_inferred_tonnes":1530000,"votes_for_incentive_plan":11383501,"resource_indicated_tonnes":1760000}},"named_entities":{"people":[{"name":"John LaGourgue","role":"Chief Executive Officer and Director"},{"name":"Michael Iverson","role":"Director"},{"name":"Rich Beaven","role":"Director"},{"name":"Hon. Christian Paradis","role":"Director"},{"name":"Alberto De Luca","role":"Director"},{"name":"Scott Kelly","role":"Chief Financial Officer"},{"name":"Antoine Fournier","role":"Vice-President Exploration"},{"name":"Shelley McDonald","role":"Corporate Secretary"}],"products":["Lac Guéret South Project","2026 Omnibus Share Incentive Plan"],"companies":[{"name":"First Canadian Graphite Inc.","ticker":"FCI"},{"name":"Nouveau Monde Graphite","relationship":"neighbor / project proximity"},{"name":"Smythe LLP","relationship":"auditor"},{"name":"Deloitte Canada","relationship":"former employer of director"},{"name":"GardaWorld","relationship":"former employer of director"}],"dollarAmounts":[{"amount":"$10 million","context":"total investments to date in Lac Guéret South Project"}]},"model_name":"qwen3_6_27b_awq","prompt_hash":"sha256:727b4b9429a443af","schema_hash":"sha256:05005c02d9cffac9","created_at":"2026-07-09T12:14:24.090Z","global_importance":10,"audience_relevance":15,"importance_components":{"tickerTier":"micro-cap","eventGravity":"routine_governance","sectorWeight":"materials"}},"durationMs":106030,"modelName":"george-droid-qwen-72b"}}