First Canadian Graphite Inc. (TSXV: FCI | OTC: GBMIF | FRANKFURT: BR20) has appointed Michael Iverson to its Board of Directors, effective immediately, as the company accelerates efforts to develop its flagship Berkwood Graphite Project in Quebec. Iverson brings over two decades of leadership in the resource sector, having founded Niogold Mining Corp. and co-founded Fortuna Silver Mines Inc., where he served in senior executive roles through 2016.
Iverson’s track record includes leading Niogold’s acquisition and exploration of a substantial land package in Val-d’Or, Québec, which ultimately led to its acquisition by Oban Mining Corp. (now Osisko Mining Inc.) at a significant premium. At Fortuna, he helped guide the company into a major silver producer with operations in Peru and Mexico. Over his career, Iverson has raised and invested more than $100 million in companies he has led or advised, and those companies have achieved aggregate market capitalizations exceeding $1 billion.
“The FCI Team is thrilled to welcome Mike to the Board,” said John LaGourgue, CEO of First Canadian Graphite. “He brings extensive experience and a proven track record of building successful resource companies, particularly in Québec, as well as driving shareholder value. Mike will be working closely with management implementing best practices as we expand the resource at our flagship Berkwood Graphite Project and assist the move to becoming a leading graphite producer in North America.”
Iverson’s appointment comes as the company aims to advance the Berkwood Graphite Project, which has a 43-101 Resource Estimate of 3.2 million tonnes of indicated and inferred graphite, averaging grades of 17%. The project is located in northern Quebec, within the traditional territory of the Pessamit Innu First Nation, with whom the company is committed to building collaborative relationships.
Graphite is increasingly recognized as a critical mineral for energy storage and advanced technologies, particularly in lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and grid storage. The global push for onshore critical mineral supply chains has heightened the strategic importance of projects like Berkwood. Iverson noted, “With increasing global demand for graphite as a critical material for energy storage and advanced technologies, the Company is well positioned to expand the current resource through drilling and exploration, execute on a PEA and make the required steps towards production.”
Concurrently, the company announced the resignation of Brijender (Binny) Jassal from the board, effective immediately. Jassal, who served as a director since 2017, will continue as Chief Financial Officer. The board thanked Jassal for his contributions.
First Canadian Graphite’s focus remains on advancing its graphite projects to supply high-quality graphite to meet increasing demand from battery, energy storage, and advanced manufacturing markets. The company’s updated forward-looking statements, available on SEDAR, highlight risks and uncertainties inherent in exploration and development activities.
