Figure 1: Bag sample 3 graphite 20m to 30m. Jumbo flake graphite. (picture and data provided by Volt Carbon)

January 18, 2026 – TheNewswire - Montreal, QC – First Canadian Graphite. (TSXV: FCI, FSE: BK20, OTC Pink: GBMIF ) is pleased to announce that further to its news release dated January 12th, 2026, the Company has reviewed its newly acquired claims around the Company’s Berkwood Graphite Project, located in Northern Quebec, and has increased the size of the airborne electromagnetic (EM) and magnetic surveys currently being conducted.

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Figure 2: Prospectair Helicopter and ProspecTEM TDEM system in foreground.

The Company also wishes to announce that Volt Carbon Technologies Inc., of Calgary, Alberta (TSXV: VCT) has informed First Canadian Graphite that it has successfully completed dry separation and metallurgical testing on grab samples from their Berkwood Graphite Zone 3 property.

https://voltcarbontech.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/BERKWOOD-ZONE-3-Report-V4-Signatures-on-File.pdf

“The dry separation and metallurgical testing were conducted at Volt Carbon Technologies Inc.’s laboratory in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. The graphite-bearing material was processed using Volt Carbon Technologies Inc.’s proprietary dry air classification process. The resulting materials were analyzed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to determine graphitic carbon content and by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis to determine elemental composition. Flake size distribution was determined using standard dry sieve mesh analysis. The laboratory is not ISO-certified, and Volt Carbon Technologies Inc. is a related party to the issuer pursuant to a mineral processing agreement. The results described herein represent preliminary indications only and are intended for initial metallurgical characterization.”

Preliminary Highlights from the Testing Program (Zone 3 Grab Samples):

Indications of High-Grade Graphite Content: Graphitic carbon (Cg) ranged from 6.43% to 39.66%.

• Strong Average Carbon Values: Across eight grab samples, the average total carbon (Ct) was 32.47%, and average graphitic carbon (Cg) was 22.90%. 

• Large-Flake Graphite: More than 85% of graphite flakes separated were greater than 80 mesh. 

These results further support the development potential of the Berkwood Graphite Project and support the continued evaluation of Volt Carbon’s dry processing methods.  

 

 

Table 1: Graphite Mesh Size.

 

 

Table 2: Dry Separated Sample - Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)

Sampling:

Samples for the metallurgical were collected from Zone 3 of the Berkwood Graphite Project. They consist of representative surface composite samples each weighing  2 kg respectively and collected over a 200m X 50m area centered around Zone 19 490000E 5666400N (NAD83).  The purpose of this testing was to evaluate the possibility of using the method on a larger scale for proper metallurgical testing.. These results are therefore deemed not representative of the true graphite recovery to be expected from the Berkwood Graphite Project and only serve as an indication of the potential.  

Next Steps:

First Canadian Graphite will use the results of the airborne geophysical survey currently underway, combined with these metallurgy findings, to guide further exploration and metallurgical studies. The Company plans to conduct additional testing to optimize processing methods and advance discussions with potential partners interested in high-purity, large-flake graphite.  These samples are part of historical sampling that was conducted through rock chip and channel samples as well as hand-dug pits over shallow overburden (< 1 m depth) that has occurred on Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, and 12.   Sampling on these zones has confirmed graphite-bearing lithologies on each zone.  While EM serves to identify potential graphite occurrences the magnetic component will help in tracing the geological structures and different rock types adding another layer of useful information for groundwork and anticipated drilling which will follow-up during Spring/Summer of 2026.

 

Thomas Yingling, President and CEO of First Canadian Graphite, stated:
"We are very pleased to increase the size of the airborne geophysical surveys over the newly acquired claims.  We look forward to sharing the results of these surveys once they are complete.  The strong metallurgical results from Zone 3 confirm its potential as an important part of our growing graphite asset base. These results support our strategy of advancing a sustainable and environmentally responsible graphite project."

 

Air Classification Technology

Volt Carbon Technologies Inc. (TSX.V: VCT) has informed First Canadian Graphite that, in prior metallurgical test work on graphite ore samples including material from the Berkwood Project Zone 1 and Zone 6, as well as other graphite samples sourced from Ontario and Quebec, its proprietary dry air classification process achieved graphite purity levels ranging from approximately 95% to 98.5%. These results were independently verified by ProGraphite GmbH.

The dry air classification process does not utilize water or chemical reagents and is designed to physically separate natural flake graphite from associated gangue minerals using controlled airflow, offering a dry alternative to conventional water-based flotation methods.

Air classification is a physical separation method that differentiates particles based on density, shape, and aerodynamic properties. In Volt Carbon’s process, sample material is crushed to approximately 12 mesh prior to classification and introduced into an air classifier where airflow conditions are adjusted to promote separation. Denser particles settle more rapidly, while lighter graphite flakes are carried further by the air stream before collection.

Volt Carbon Technologies continues to develop and optimize proprietary air classification systems to preferentially recover large-flake graphite by leveraging differences in aerodynamic behavior between flake graphite and denser host material. This dry processing approach is intended to provide an energy-efficient and potentially mobile alternative to conventional flotation methods following primary crushing.

"V-Bond Lee, President and CEO of Volt Carbon Technologies, stated: We are encouraged by the high graphitic content and favorable flake size distribution observed in the grab samples. These findings reinforce the potential of Zone 3 as a promising target for further exploration."

Qualified Person:   Dr Christian Derosier, P.Geo. (OGQ #0129).  is the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 guidelines, has reviewed and approved the technical content of this news release.

 

Pessamit Innu First Nation

First Canadian Graphite respectfully acknowledges that the Berkwood Project is located within the traditional territory of the Pessamit Innu First Nation. The Company is committed to fostering respectful, transparent, and collaborative relationships with local Indigenous communities throughout the development process.

About the Berkwood Graphite Project

The Berkwood Graphite Project is located within the jurisdiction of Quebec, in the Manicouagan Regional County Municipality, three hours driving time from the city of Baie-Comeau. Easy access is provided via a major secondary road and numerous tertiary and forest roads that traverse the property.

The Company has a 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate that is based on just zone 1.   The current mineral resource at the Berkwood Graphite Project includes in-pit constrained resource totalling 1,755,300 tonnes of indicated resources at 17.00 % Cgr and 1,526,400 tonnes in inferred resources at 16.39 % Cgr.

Table 2: In-pit Resource at Lac Gueret South Project (rounded numbers)

Current Resources (as of June 17th, 2019)

Minerals Resources Category	Tonnage (Mt)	Grade (% Cgr)	Cgr (t)	Cut off
Indicated	1.76	17.0	299,200	6.81%
Inferred	1.53	16.4	250,200	6.81%

The mineral resource estimates above are described in the technical report entitled, NI 43-101 Technical Report Mineral Resource Estimate on the Lac Gueret South Graphite Property, Quebec, Canada. With an Effective date of June 30th, 2019, by Edward Lyons, PGeo., Florent Baril, ing., and Claude Duplessis, ing.

Link to Report:

https://wp-firstcanadiangraphite-2025.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/media/2025/09/ReportFINAL_compressed.pdf

 

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

First Canadian Graphite Inc.

‘Thomas Yingling’

President, CEO & Director

2200 – 1250 Rene Levesque Blvd. Montreal, QC, H3B 4W8
Phone: (438) 469-0705

#1100 - 1111 Melville Street, Vancouver, BC, V6E 3V6
Phone: (604) 343-7740

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

info@firstcanadiangraphite.com or 1-604-343-7740

Website: www.firstcanadiangraphite.com

 

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information: Certain statements in this document which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Forward looking statements in this news release include that the Company will carry out the drill program described in this news release, conduct the Offering and expend funds on Berkwood Graphite Project exploration. It is important to note that the Company's actual business outcomes and exploration results could differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include that further permits may not be granted timely or at all; the mineral claims may prove to be unworthy of further expenditure; there may not be an economic mineral resource; methods we thought would be effective may not prove to be in practice or on our claims; economic, competitive, governmental, environmental and technological factors may affect the Company's operations, markets, products and prices; our specific plans and timing drilling, field work and other plans may change; we may not have access to or be able to develop any minerals because of cost factors, type of terrain, or availability of equipment and technology; and we may also not raise sufficient funds to carry out our plans. Additional risk factors are discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis for its recently completed fiscal period, which is available under Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.  No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits the Company will obtain from them.  These forward-looking statements reflect management's current views and are based on certain expectations, estimates and assumptions, which may prove to be incorrect. Except as required by law, we will not update these forward-looking statement risk factors. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this News Release.