Northern Graphite Corp Stock Price, News & Analysis

The U.S. Department of Commerce has issued a preliminary decision to impose significant tariffs of up to 721% on Chinese graphite active anode material (AAM). This decision comes from an investigation into Chinese government subsidies for AAM production. Northern Graphite (OTCQB: NGPHF), as North America's only current natural graphite producer, stands to benefit from this development. The company plans to build a battery materials facility in Canada to meet growing demand for local AAM supply. A second preliminary decision on antidumping is expected in July, with final determinations for both investigations due around December 5, 2025. Currently, approximately 90% of graphite upgrading for AAM, a crucial component in lithium-ion batteries, is done in China. The investigation was initiated by American Active Anode Material Producers (AAAMP) and other North American industry petitioners in December 2024.

Northern Graphite Corporation (NGPHF) has announced two key equity compensation updates. The company has granted 125,000 stock options to an officer and an employee, exercisable at $0.105 per share with an expiration date of May 10, 2030. Additionally, the company has amended the vesting schedule for 350,000 restricted share units (RSUs) previously granted in March 2025. The revised vesting schedule includes 250,000 RSUs vesting in three tranches (40% in 2026, 30% in 2027, and 30% in 2028) and 100,000 RSUs vesting over three years (25% in 2026, 25% in 2027, and 50% in 2028).

Northern Graphite (NGPHF) reported its 2024 year-end results, highlighting a challenging financial position despite operational growth. The company increased revenues by 33% to $22.7M and sales volumes by 45% to 12,442 tonnes. However, they face critical financing needs to extend their Lac des Iles (LDI) mine pit, which could be depleted by late 2025. Without immediate funding of up to $10M, LDI, North America's only operating graphite mine, may be placed on care and maintenance. The company reported a net loss of $38.8M ($0.30/share) and has defaulted on debt covenants with only $0.4M cash remaining. Despite challenges, they've expanded resources through exploration, launched a battery materials division in Frankfurt, and maintained strong industrial demand, particularly in North America which represents 85% of production.

Northern Graphite (NGPHF) has received support from the Port of Rotterdam for its planned Battery Anode Material (BAM) facility in Baie-Comeau, Quebec. The port, Europe's largest and a critical raw materials hub, views Northern's project as a potential anchor in a new transatlantic graphite supply chain.

The company is evaluating two sites for the BAM plant: a 300-acre greenfield site and a brownfield site at a former paper mill. The project has garnered support from local authorities and the Port of Baie-Comeau, while Northern continues seeking power allocation and funding for the feasibility phase.

Once operational, the facility would be among the first large-scale BAM facilities outside Asia serving North American and European EV markets before 2030. Northern plans to source feedstock from its LDI mine in Quebec and projects in Namibia and Ontario. This development follows Northern's selection for a Strategic Project under the EU's Critical Raw Materials Act and its membership in the European Advanced Carbon and Graphite Materials Association.

Northern Graphite (NGPHF) and BMI Group have announced a partnership to evaluate the feasibility of establishing a Battery Anode Material (BAM) facility at a former paper mill in Baie-Comeau, Quebec. The proposed facility aims for a Stage 1 capacity of 50,000 tonnes per year.

The project would be located at either Norderra, BMI's infrastructure-ready node, or a 300-acre greenfield site owned by the city. The partners will work with local authorities and utility providers to secure power supply and maximize economic benefits while minimizing environmental impacts.

The BAM facility would process graphite from Northern's LDI mine in Quebec and development projects in Namibia and Ontario. This initiative complements Northern's planned BAM facility in France, which has been designated as a Strategic Project under the EU's Critical Raw Materials Act.

Northern Graphite (NGPHF) and Graphano Energy have announced a strategic collaboration agreement to share technical expertise and resources for graphite development. The partnership centers around Northern's Lac des Iles (LDI) mine, North America's only producing graphite mine, and Graphano's neighboring Lac Aux Bouleaux (LAB) and Standard properties.

The companies will share geological, geophysical, and metallurgical data to advance exploration and development, with each company bearing its own exploration costs. The collaboration aims to expand resources that can be processed at the LDI plant, potentially creating new ore sources while accelerating Graphano's path to production.

This strategic partnership represents a consolidated approach to graphite exploration in Canada, supporting the country's position as a critical materials supplier while addressing growing global demand.

Northern Graphite (NGPHF) has achieved a significant milestone as its Battery Anode Material (BAM) plant proposal in France has been selected as one of 47 Strategic Projects under the EU's Critical Raw Materials Act. The project, requiring €159 million (CAD $244M) in funding, will process graphite from the company's Okanjande project in Namibia.

The facility is planned to begin operations by 2028 with an initial capacity of 20,000 tonnes per year of battery-grade anode material, scalable to 50,000 tonnes. The Strategic Project designation provides fast-tracked permitting, enhanced financing access, and support for potential off-take agreements. The project involves pre-purification and shaping in Namibia, with purification and coating in France, while battery testing will occur at NGCBM's German laboratory.

Northern Graphite has released a special report commemorating the 35th anniversary of its Lac des Iles (LDI) graphite mine in Quebec, North America's only graphite producer. The mine, which began operations in 1989, currently supplies over 20% of the US industrial graphite market.

The company plans to expand into battery-grade graphite production with a low carbon footprint, supporting the global energy transition and EV evolution. Key initiatives include:

• Resource base expansion through exploration
• Development of the first new pit in over a decade
• Mill revitalization to achieve nameplate capacity
• Environmental remediation and reclamation efforts

However, CEO Hugues Jacquemin highlighted significant financing challenges, noting that without additional capital, LDI might need to be placed on care and maintenance. The company faces obstacles including weak financial markets, low graphite prices, and slower-than-expected energy transition progress, with support from governments and strategic partners.

Northern Graphite has announced it is now providing three standard Battery Anode Material (BAM) products and its patented Porocarb® material to lithium-ion and solid-state battery manufacturers. This development comes one year after forming its battery division through the acquisition of Heraeus Group's battery division assets and R&D team.

The company's Battery Materials Group (NGCBM) operates a state-of-the-art laboratory in Frankfurt and is leading Northern's mine-to-battery strategy. The BAM demonstrator grades are produced using graphite from the company's Lac des Iles mine in Quebec and are engineered to meet industry standards for particle size, tap density, and surface area.

The Porocarb® technology, licensed through the acquisition, is a high-performance porous hard carbon material developed over 10 years to enhance energy storage efficiency and speed.