Northern Graphite Commences Overburden Stripping Activities to Extend Lac des Iles Mine Life
Northern Graphite (OTCQB: NGPHF) has begun overburden stripping at its Lac des Iles mine as the first phase of a pit extension intended to extend the mine life by up to eight years. Stripping uses conventional open‑pit methods on a continuous 24‑hour basis over an estimated two‑month period.
The Regional Economic Growth Through Innovation Program via NRCan/CED is financing 75% of eligible costs through an interest‑free, repayable contribution of up to $6.225 million. First production from the extension could occur in approximately four to six months while the operation continues to process ore from the existing pit and stockpiles.
LDI currently produces about 15,000 tonnes of graphite concentrate per year with installed capacity of 25,000 tonnes. The work follows recent drilling and cites heightened market importance after China announced export controls effective November 8, 2025.
Northern Graphite (OTCQB: NGPHF) ha iniziato lo sgombero del sovrastante scoperchio nel giacimento Lac des Îles come prima fase di un’estensione della cava destinata ad allungare la vita della miniera di fino a otto anni. Lo sgombramento utilizza metodi convenzionali di cava a cielo aperto su base continua 24 ore al giorno per un periodo stimato di due mesi.
Il Programma di Crescita Economica Regionale attraverso l’Innovazione, finanziato tramite NRCan/CED, finanzia il 75% dei costi eleggibili mediante un contributo rimborsabile senza interessi fino a 6,225 milioni di dollari. La prima produzione dall’estensione potrebbe avvenire in circa quattro-sei mesi mentre l’operazione continua a processare il minerale dalla miniera esistente e dalle scorte.
LDI attualmente produce circa 15.000 tonnellate di concentrato di grafite all’anno con una capacità installata di 25.000 tonnellate. Il lavoro segue perforazioni recenti e indica una maggiore importanza di mercato dopo che la Cina ha annunciato controlli sulle esportazioni efficaci dall’8 novembre 2025.
Northern Graphite (OTCQB: NGPHF) ha iniciado el desbroce del sobrecubrimiento en su mina Lac des Îles como la primera fase de una extensión de la cantera destinada a ampliar la vida útil de la mina en hasta ocho años. El desbroce utiliza métodos convencionales de tajo abierto de forma continua las 24 horas del día durante un periodo estimado de dos meses.
El Programa de Crecimiento Económico Regional a través de la Innovación, financiado por NRCan/CED, financia el 75% de los costos elegibles mediante una contribución reembolsable sin intereses de hasta 6,225 millones de dólares. La primera producción de la extensión podría ocurrir en aproximadamente cuatro a seis meses, mientras la operación continúa procesando mineral de la cantera existente y las pilas de almacenamiento.
LDI actualmente produce alrededor de 15.000 toneladas de concentrado de grafito al año con una capacidad instalada de 25.000 toneladas. El trabajo sigue perforaciones recientes y señala una mayor importancia en el mercado tras que China anunció controles de exportación efectivos a partir del 8 de noviembre de 2025.
Northern Graphite (OTCQB: NGPHF)는 Lac des Îles 광산에서 피복층 제거를 시작했으며 광산 수명을 최대 8년까지 연장하려는 갱도 확장의 1단계입니다. 제거 작업은 기존 오픈 피트 방식으로 연중 24시간 지속되며 추정 기간은 두 달입니다.
NRCan/CED를 통한 지역경제 성장 혁신 프로그램은 적격 비용의 75%를 무이자 상환가능 기여로 최대 $6.225백만까지 지원합니다. 확장으로 인한 첫 생산은 약 4~6개월 이내에 발생할 수 있으며, 기존 갱도 및 재고에서 광석을 계속 가공합니다.
LDI는 현재 매년 약 15,000톤의 그래파이트 농축물을 생산하고 설치 용량은 25,000톤입니다. 이 작업은 최근 시추에 따라 진행되며 중국의 2025년 11월 8일 발효되는 수출 통제 발표 이후 시장의 중요성이 커졌다고 밝혔습니다.
Northern Graphite (OTCQB: NGPHF) a commencé le débouchage du surterrain à la mine Lac des Îles dans le cadre de la première phase d’une extension de la fosse visant à prolonger la durée de vie de la mine jusqu’à huit ans. Le débouchage utilise des méthodes conventionnelles à ciel ouvert sur une base 24 heures sur 24 pendant une période estimée de deux mois.
Le Programme régional de croissance économique par l’innovation, via NRCan/CED, finance 75 % des coûts éligibles par une contribution sans intérêt remboursable allant jusqu’à 6,225 millions de dollars. Une première production provenant de l’extension pourrait intervenir dans environ quatre à six mois alors que l’opération continue de traiter le minerai de la fosse existante et les stocks.
LDI produit actuellement environ 15 000 tonnes de concentré de graphite par an avec une capacité installée de 25 000 tonnes. Le travail suit des forages récents et souligne une importance accrue sur le marché après que la Chine a annoncé des contrôles à l’exportation à compter du 8 novembre 2025.
Northern Graphite (OTCQB: NGPHF) hat mit dem Abtragen des Überunterbaus am Lac des Îles begonnen, die erste Phase einer Erweiterung des Tagebaus, um die Lebensdauer der Mine um bis zu acht Jahre zu verlängern. Das Abtragen erfolgt mit herkömmlichen Tagebau-Methoden rund um die Uhr über einen geschätzten Zeitraum von zwei Monaten.
Das Regional Economic Growth Through Innovation Program über NRCan/CED finanziert 75 % der förderfähigen Kosten durch einen zinsfreien, rückzahlbaren Beitrag von bis zu 6,225 Mio. USD. Die erste Produktion aus der Erweiterung könnte in ca. vier bis sechs Monaten erfolgen, während der Betrieb weiterhin Erz aus dem bestehenden Graben verarbeitet.
LDI produziert derzeit etwa 15.000 Tonnen Graphitkonzentrat pro Jahr bei installierter Kapazität von 25.000 Tonnen. Die Arbeiten folgen jüngsten Bohrungen und betonen eine gestiegene Marktbedeutung, nachdem China Exportkontrollen angekündigt hat, die am 8. November 2025 in Kraft treten.
Northern Graphite (OTCQB: NGPHF) قد بدأ إزالة الغطاء الترابي فوقه في منجم Lac des Îles كمرحلة أولى من توسيع الحفرة بهدف إطالة عمر المنجم حتى ثمانية أعوام.
يستخدم الإزالة أساليب مفتوحة القياس تقليدية على أساس مستمر على مدار 24 ساعة يومياً لمدة تقارب شهرين كما هو مقدر.
يتم تمويل 75% من التكاليف المؤهلة من خلال مساهمة قابلة للسداد بدون فائدة تصل إلى $6.225 مليون عبر برنامج النمو الاقتصادي الإقليمي من خلال NRCan/CED. يمكن أن تبدأ الإنتاجية من التوسعة في نحو أربعة إلى ستة أشهر بينما يستمر تشغيل المعالجة لاستخراج الخام من الحفرة القائمة ومخزوداتها.
حالياً ينتج LDI نحو 15,000 طن من مركّز Graphite سنوياً مع سعة مركبة قدرها 25,000 طن. تتبع الأعمال أعمال حفر حديثة وتذكر أهمية السوق المتزايدة بعد إعلان الصين عن ضوابط تصدير سارية اعتباراً من 8 نوفمبر 2025.
Northern Graphite (OTCQB: NGPHF) 已在 Lac des Îles 矿山开始覆土清除作为矿区外延扩展的第一阶段，旨在将矿山寿命延长至多达 八年。覆盖层清除工作将以传统的露天矿方法在每天一日三班进行，预计持续 两个月。
通过 NRCan/CED 资助的区域创新驱动经济增长计划为符合条件的成本提供 75% 的资助，形式为无息、可偿还的贡献，金额最高可达 6.225 百万美元。扩展区的首批产出可能在大约 四至六个月 内实现，同时继续处理现有矿坑的矿石和堆存物。
LDI 目前每年生产约 15,000 吨石墨精矿，安装产能为 25,000 吨。此项工作在最近的钻探之后推进，且在中国宣布自 2025年11月8日 起实施出口管制后，其市场重要性被提升。
- Potential mine life extension of up to 8 years
- Government financing covers 75% of eligible pit extension costs
- $6.225 million interest‑free repayable contribution available
- First extension production targeted in ~4–6 months
- Financing is an interest‑free, repayable contribution (repayment obligation)
- Current production 15,000 t/yr vs installed capacity 25,000 t/yr
- Program initiated following receipt of government financial support
- China increases export controls on lithium battery raw materials, manufacturing equipment and technology
Ottawa, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 15, 2025) - Northern Graphite Corporation (TSXV: NGC) (OTCQB: NGPHF) (FSE: 0NG) (XSTU: 0NG) (the "Company" or "Northern") is pleased to announce that it has commenced stripping activities to extend the life of its Lac des Iles mine, North America's only graphite producer.
The stripping activity is part of the first phase expansion of the existing pit and includes excavation, haulage and storage of overburden using conventional open-pit mining methods. Work will be conducted on a continuous 24-hour basis over an estimated two-month period. The Regional Economic Growth Through Innovation Program, provided by Natural Resources Canada ("NRCan") and delivered by The Economic Development Agency of Canada for Quebec Regions ("CED"), is financing
The goal is to ensure a continuous flow of material to the plant and first production from the extension could take place in approximately four- to six months. In the interim, Northern will continue supplying customers by processing ore from the existing pit and ore stockpiles and fulfilling orders from inventory thereafter.
"The start of stripping at Lac des Iles represents tangible progress in our long-term plan to expand and modernize the operation and follows our recent announcement of government support for the pit extension," said Northern Chief Executive Officer Hugues Jacquemin. "That funding is helping us move quickly from planning to execution as we work to extend the life of this strategic Canadian asset and to create a secure, sustainable supply of graphite to meet the rapidly growing demand from regional and global battery markets. It also demonstrates the alignment between industry and government in building a resilient North American critical minerals supply chain."
LDI, located about 150 km northwest of Montreal, Quebec, is Northern's flagship operation, producing approximately 15,000 tonnes of graphite concentrate per year with installed capacity of 25,000 tonnes per year. The mine has long served traditional markets - from refractories for steelmaking to heat management in electronics and friction materials for the global automotive sector. As widescale electrification proceeds under the energy transition, the availability of graphite is forecast to tighten sharply as demand rises, especially to manufacture lithium-ion batteries, where it is the largest critical mineral component.
Market Context
Northern acquired LDI from Imerys in 2022 with the conviction that the mine had far greater potential than its then-published reserve life suggested which has been confirmed by recent drilling programs. Since then, demand for the mine's high-purity, flake graphite has only increased, as global supply has been squeezed by Chinese export controls and lower production. Last week China's Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs announced new export controls on lithium battery raw materials, manufacturing equipment and technology, effective November 8, 2025, highlighting the growing strategic value of graphite to both the energy transition and national security.
"Work on our pit extension comes as global geopolitics further underscore the importance of bringing new graphite supply online that is independent of Chinese control," said Mr. Jacquemin. "As demand for graphite continues to accelerate with the global shift to electric vehicles and renewable energy storage, Northern's integrated mine-to-market strategy positions Canada to play a pivotal role in building a resilient, local supply chain for one of the most critical materials in the energy transition."
Gregory Bowes, B.Sc. MBA P.Geo, the Chairman of Northern, is a "Qualified Person" as defined under NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the content of this news release.
About Northern Graphite
Northern is a Canadian, TSX Venture Exchange listed company that is the only flake graphite producing company in North America. Northern is focused on becoming a world leader in producing natural graphite and upgrading it into high-value products critical to the green economy, including anode material for lithium-ion batteries/EVs, fuel cells and graphene, as well as advanced industrial technologies. The Company's mine-to-battery strategy is spearheaded by its Battery Materials Group, which has a fully equipped, state-of-the-art laboratory in Frankfurt.
Northern's graphite assets include the producing Lac des Iles mine in Quebec, where the Company is boosting output to meet growing demand from industrial customers and coming demand from North American battery makers. The Company also owns the large-scale, advanced stage Bissett Creek graphite project in Ontario and the fully permitted Okanjande graphite mine in Namibia, which is currently on care and maintenance, and represents an opportunity to substantially increase graphite production at a lower cost and with a shorter time to market than most competing projects. All projects have "battery quality" graphite and are located close to infrastructure in politically stable jurisdictions.
For media inquiries, contact
Pav Jordan, VP of Communications
Email: pjordan@northerngraphite.com
For additional information
Please visit the Company's website at https://www.northerngraphite.com/home/, the Company's profile on www.sedarplus.ca, our Social Channels listed below, or contact the Company at (613) 271-2124.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "potential", "possible" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may", "will", "could", or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding, among others, the Company's plans to extend the mine life of its LDI mine and development plans for its other projects including Bissett Creek. All such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and analyses made by management based on their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors they believe are appropriate in the circumstances. However, these statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected including, but not limited to, unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; the failure of other parties to perform as agreed; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices; unexpected failure or inadequacy of infrastructure and the failure of ongoing and contemplated studies to deliver anticipated results or results that would justify and support continued studies, development or operations and the inability to raise required financing. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements.
Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based on what management believes are reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with them. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject to applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this news release.
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 news release.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/270405
FAQ
What did Northern Graphite (NGPHF) announce on October 15, 2025 about Lac des Iles?
How is the Lac des Iles pit extension being funded for NGPHF?
When could Northern Graphite begin first production from the Lac des Iles extension?
What is Lac des Iles' current and installed graphite capacity for NGPHF?
How long will the initial stripping phase at Lac des Iles take and how is it scheduled?
Does the Lac des Iles announcement mention any market factors affecting NGPHF?
