Graphite One Cited as Federal Permitting Council Prioritizes FAST-41 Critical Mineral Projects

Rhea-AI Summary

Graphite One (GPHOF) has been highlighted as one of six mining projects prioritized under the FAST-41 federal permitting process, becoming the first Alaskan mining project on the Federal Permitting Dashboard. The streamlined permitting process aims to strengthen domestic critical mineral supply chains. The company recently secured a second non-binding supply agreement with Lucid Group for anode active materials and completed its feasibility study 15 months ahead of schedule, revealing a tripled resource reserve. Graphite One is developing a complete U.S.-based graphite supply chain solution, including the Graphite Creek deposit (the largest in the U.S.), a manufacturing plant in Warren, Ohio, and a recycling facility. This initiative is crucial as the U.S. is currently 100% import dependent on graphite, with China maintaining significant market control.

Positive

• First Alaskan mining project to be listed on FAST-41 Transparency Dashboard, potentially expediting permitting process
• Secured second non-binding supply agreement with Lucid Group (NASDAQ: LCID) for anode active materials
• Feasibility study completed 15 months ahead of schedule showing tripled proven and probable reserves
• Development of complete U.S.-based supply chain solution including mining, manufacturing, and recycling facilities

Negative

• Current 100% import dependency on synthetic and natural graphite
• Non-binding nature of the supply agreement with Lucid Group indicates lack of firm commitment
• Heavy reliance on government support and permitting process success for project advancement

Insights

Mining & Critical Minerals Analyst

Graphite One gains significant regulatory momentum with FAST-41 designation, potentially accelerating its path to becoming America's only domestic graphite producer.

Graphite One's inclusion in the FAST-41 program represents a material regulatory breakthrough that could substantially accelerate the development timeline for its Graphite Creek project in Alaska. This designation places the project on the Federal Permitting Dashboard, which is designed to streamline permitting processes for critical mineral projects – a historically significant bottleneck for mining developments in the United States.

The timing is particularly strategic as the company has recently completed its feasibility study 15 months ahead of schedule, showing a tripling of proven and probable reserves. This resource expansion dramatically enhances the project's economic potential and longevity. The feasibility study's acceleration was supported by Defense Production Act Title III funding, underscoring the project's national security importance.

The company has also secured a second non-binding supply agreement with Lucid Group for anode active materials, building commercial momentum alongside its regulatory progress. This represents a crucial step in establishing offtake arrangements needed to secure project financing.

What's particularly notable is Graphite One's position as the first Alaskan mining project listed on the FAST-41 Dashboard and one of only six mining projects overall to receive this designation. With the U.S. currently 100% import dependent for both synthetic and natural graphite, and with China controlling the global graphite supply chain, Graphite One represents one of the few potential domestic graphite producers in a market facing significant geopolitical pressures.

The company's vertically integrated strategy – combining the Graphite Creek mine in Alaska with processing facilities planned for Warren, Ohio, plus recycling capabilities – aligns well with the administration's focus on building resilient domestic supply chains for critical minerals essential to energy transition and defense applications.

Company Supports U.S. Government Leveraging Efforts to Strengthen Domestic Critical Mineral Supply Chains

G1's Graphite Creek Project first Alaska mining project to be listed on FAST-41 Transparency Dashboard, and one of six mining projects overall

VANCOUVER, BC, June 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Graphite One Inc. (TSX–V: GPH; OTCQX: GPHOF) ("Graphite One", "G1" or the "Company"), welcomes the U.S. Government's leveraging of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act, known as "FAST-41," to streamline the permitting process for critical resource and infrastructure projects as it works to implement the March 20, 2025 Executive Order "Immediate Measures to Increase Domestic Mineral Production."

G1 has been cited in recent news coverage as a developer of one of six mining projects to be listed on the FAST-41 Permitting Dashboard, administered by the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council ("Permitting Council"). The Company announced its move into the FAST-41 permitting process's 60-day period to develop Graphite Creek's Coordinated Project Plan ("CPP") and detailed permitting timetable earlier this week. 

The Washington Examiner quotes Emily Domenech, "the newly appointed head of the {Permitting} Council…" describing its role as "a 'sherpa' for businesses seeking to initiate projects. My goal would be to move as many projects to construction in the first two years of the Trump Administration as is humanly possible".

The Fast-41 Federal Permitting Dashboard and related announcements can be accessed here.

"The Administration's use and expansion of the FAST-41 program demonstrates its commitment to move expeditiously to bolster U.S. domestic critical mineral supply chains," said Graphite One CEO Anthony Huston. "We are proud to be the first Alaskan mining project listed on the Federal Permitting Dashboard. We believe that this emphasis on streamlining the permitting process will expedite our efforts to establish a vertically integrated domestic supply chain for graphite as the United States is faced with the growing demand and global market volatility."

Graphite One's inclusion on the Federal Permitting list follows the recent announcement that the Company has entered into a second non-binding supply agreement for anode active materials ("AAM") with Lucid Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: LCID), a manufacturer of advanced electric vehicles, marking another significant step towards establishing a fully domestic graphite supply chain to meet market demands and enhance U.S. industry and national defense.

The Company had published its feasibility study prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 earlier this spring, which with the support of Defense Production Act Title III funding, was completed 15 months ahead of schedule and showed a tripling of the Company's proven and probable reserves.

Added Huston: "The momentum we are currently generating to end more than three decades of zero domestic graphite production could not come at a better time. With China's control over graphite materials higher than even the stranglehold it has over Rare Earth production, and Beijing no stranger to weaponizing its leverage, the time to act is now.  Between greater predictability and accountability for our project via the Fast-41 program, our new non-binding supply agreement with Lucid and a tripled resource at Graphite Creek, we are well-positioned to move forward."

Graphite One's Supply Chain Strategy

With the United States currently 100 percent import dependent for synthetic and natural graphite, Graphite One is developing a complete U.S.-based, advanced graphite supply chain solution anchored by the Graphite Creek deposit, recognized by the US Geological Survey as the largest graphite deposit in the U.S. "and among the largest in the world." The Graphite One Project plan includes building an advanced graphite material and battery anode material manufacturing plant located in Warren, Ohio. The plan also includes a recycling facility to reclaim graphite and the other battery materials, to be co-located at the Ohio site, the third link in Graphite One's circular economy strategy.

About Graphite One Inc.

GRAPHITE ONE INC. continues to develop its Graphite One Project (the "Project"), with the goal of becoming an American producer of high grade anode materials that is integrated with a domestic graphite resource. The Project is proposed as a vertically integrated enterprise to mine, process and manufacture high grade anode materials primarily for the lithium–ion electric vehicle battery market.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

"Anthony Huston" (signed)

For more information on Graphite One Inc., please visit the Company's website, www.GraphiteOneInc.com or contact:

On X (FormerlyTwitter) @Graphite One

Neither the 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 release.

All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, including those related to the Fast 41 listing and the anticipated impact of the FAST-41 status, any statements related to the planned production of any mineral reserves and resources, the construction of the Warren, Ohio facility, and events or developments that the Company intends, expects, plans, or proposes are forward-looking statements. Generally, forward–looking information can be identified by the use of forward–looking terminology such as "proposes", "expects", "is expected", "scheduled", "estimates", "projects", "plans", "is planning", "intends", "assumes", "believes", "indicates", "to be" or variations of such words and phrases that state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". The Company cautions that there is no certainty that the Fast 41 listing will impact the Company as set forth in this press release, that the Graphite Creek Project produces the minerals set out in the FS or that the facility will be built in Warren, Ohio. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, continuity of mineralization, uncertainties related to the ability to obtain necessary permits, licenses and title and delays due to third party opposition, changes in government policies regarding mining and natural resource exploration and exploitation, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is given as of the date it is expressed in this press release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, except as required by applicable securities laws. For more information on the Company, investors should review the Company's continuous disclosure filings that are available at www.sedarplus.ca.

 

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SOURCE Graphite One Inc.

FAQ

What is the significance of Graphite One (GPHOF) being listed on FAST-41?

Being listed on FAST-41 means Graphite One will benefit from streamlined federal permitting processes, potentially accelerating project development as one of six prioritized mining projects and the first Alaskan mining project on the Federal Permitting Dashboard.

What are the key components of Graphite One's supply chain strategy?

Graphite One's strategy includes three main components: the Graphite Creek deposit in Alaska (largest in the US), an advanced graphite material and battery anode manufacturing plant in Warren, Ohio, and a co-located recycling facility.

What recent agreements has Graphite One (GPHOF) secured with Lucid Group?

Graphite One has entered into a second non-binding supply agreement with Lucid Group (NASDAQ: LCID) for anode active materials (AAM), supporting their goal of establishing a domestic graphite supply chain.

How has Graphite One's resource reserves changed according to their latest feasibility study?

The feasibility study, completed 15 months ahead of schedule, revealed a tripling of the company's proven and probable reserves at the Graphite Creek deposit.

Why is Graphite One's project important for U.S. critical minerals supply?

The project is crucial because the U.S. is currently 100% import dependent on graphite, with China controlling the global supply, making domestic production essential for U.S. industry and national defense.