First Canadian Graphite Inc. Appoints Antoine Fournier as Vice President of Exploration
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
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.firstcanadiangraphite.com/
FIRST CANADIAN GRAPHITE INC. APPOINTS
ANTOINE FOURNIER AS VICE PRESIDENT OF EXPLORATION
Vancouver, BC and Montreal, QC – March 11, 2026 – First Canadian Graphite Inc. (TSX.V:
FCI | OTC: GBMIF) ( First Canadian” or the Company”), a dynamic junior mining company
focused on advancing high-grade graphite projects in Quebec to meet the growing demand for
onshore sourced critical minerals, is pleased to announce the appointment of Antoine Fournier, P.
Geo., to the position of Vice President of Exploration, effective immediately.
Mr. Fournier is a seasoned geologist with over 35 years of experience in mineral exploration,
beginning his career in 1987. He earned a B.Sc. in Geology from Concordia University and an
M.Sc. in Economic Geology from McGill University in Montreal, where his research focused on
REE mineralization in the St-Honoré Carbonatite. Throughout his career, he has maintained a
strong interest in industrial minerals, high-tech metals, and now critical and strategic minerals
essential to modern technologies.
Antoine has been instrumental in several significant discoveries, including the Knife Lake
Graphite D eposit (a high- grade, large-flake graphite asset in Québec), the Freightrain
Diamondiferous Kimberlite, the Youga Gold Deposit, the Mercier Phosphate, REE and Copper
occurrence, and most recently, he led the team awarded "Discovery of the Year" by the Association
de l'Exploration Mini ère du Québec (AEMQ) in 2024 for the Adina Deposit (a major lithium
project). He has spent much of his professional life in the junior mining ecosystem, serving as a
geologist and later in senior management roles—including VP Exploration, CEO, and/or
President—for m ultiple exploration companies developing mineral potential in Canada and
internationally.
Currently, Mr. Fournier serves as an Industry Representative on the Board of Directors of the
Ordre des Géologues du Québec and sits on the GEOTOP Research Center Committee, overseeing
geosciences research across Québec universities in areas from climate change to natural resources.
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As a registered member of the Ordre des Géologues du Québec (Permit #0516), he qualifies as a
Qualified Person under NI 43-101 and has recently acted in that capacity for First Canadian
Graphite, including reviewing technical disclosures for the Company's airborne EM and magnetic
surveys at Berkwood.
Additionally, Shelley McDonald has been appointed to the role of Corporate Secretary, effective
immediately. Shelley brings over 25 years of experience supporting public and private
organizations in regulatory compliance and corporate governance, ensuring adherence to industry
standards and government regulations.
John LaGourgue, CEO of First Canadian, stated: We are thrilled to welcome Antoine Fournier as
our Vice President of Exploration. His exceptional track record of discoveries in Québec -
particularly in graphite and critical minerals—combined with his leadership in junior mining and
deep commitment to the sector through roles with the Ordre des Géologues du Québec and
GEOTOP, positions him perfectly to lead our exploration programs and move forward with the
PEA. Antoine's expertise will be instrumental as we expand and delineate resources at our flagship
Berkwood Graphite Project, targeting high-grade, large-flake graphite to support North America's
secure supply chain for battery and clean energy materials. Further to expansion of the FCI team,
Shelley is an important part of our proper governance and compliance as we build out the
management and board.”
These appointments align with First Canadian's strategic vision to accelerate development of its
flagship Berkwood Graphite Project in northern Quebec. The project hosts a high-grade, large-
flake graphite resource with a historical NI 43-101 estimate of 3.2 million tonnes indicated and
inferred at an average grade of 17%. It is positioned adjacent to major world-class graphite
developments and benefits from Quebec's clean hydroelectric power and supportive infrastructure.
The Company announces the granting of stock options to Antoine Fournier and Shelley McDonald
as part of a long-term incentive program in accordance with the Company s 2025 Omnibus Share
Incentive Plan adopted at the Annual and Special General Meeting held on December 9, 2025.
The Company has approved the grant of 400,000 stock options with a 5-year term at an exercise
price of $0.50. Such options granted shall have the required four month plus one day hold period.
The 2025 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan s objective is to create an incentive compensation
program that is aligned with the Company s long-term objectives. Stock options are granted in
accordance with Policy 4.4 – Security Based Compensation of the TSX Venture Exchange and the
terms and conditions of the 2025 Omnibus Share Incentive Plan.
ABOUT FIRST CANADIAN GRAPHITE INC.
First Canadian Graphite Inc. is an exploration Company advancing its flagship Berkwood Graphite
Project, located in northern Quebec, Canada. The Company has a 43-101 Resource Estimate
Report revealing 3.2 million tonnes of indicated and inferred graphite, averaging grades of 17%.
Please refer to the report posted on the Company’s website at www.firstcanadiangraphite.com
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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 l ocal Indigenous communities
throughout the development process.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements about demand,
pricing trends, strategic positioning, and the expected benefits of China’s export controls. These
statements are based on assumptions and beliefs of management and involve risks and
uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated.
On Behalf of the Board of Directors
First Canadian Graphite lnc.
‘John LaGourgue’
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:
[email protected] 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.