Ottawa, Ontario and Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – April 2, 2025) – Northern Graphite Corporation (TSXV: NGC) (OTCQB: NGPHF) (FSE: 0NG) (XSTU: 0NG) (“Northern“) and Graphano Energy Ltd. (TSXV: GEL) (FSE: 97G0) (“Graphano“) are pleased to announce an agreement to share technical knowledge and expertise to further the exploration and development of their respective properties in a more consolidated and efficient manner with increased opportunities for success.

The agreement covers Northern’s Lac des Iles (“LDI“) graphite mine and processing facility, currently North America’s only producing graphite mine, and Graphano’s Lac Aux Bouleaux (“LAB“) and Standard properties. The LAB Property is contiguous to the LDI graphite mine and covers the southern extensions of the productive graphite horizons and the Standard property is between Northern’s Mousseau West exploration project and the LDI plant.

The companies intend to share geological, geophysical, and metallurgical data and technical expertise to advance graphite exploration and development in the area with the goal of expanding resources that can be processed at the LDI plant. Northern and Graphano will cooperate on resource modeling, drilling programs, metallurgical testing, and potentially future production sharing arrangements. Both companies are committed to a collaborative approach that enhances operational efficiencies and supports the long-term development of critical mineral resources in Canada. All exploration costs will be borne by the owners of each property.

“This partnership is a natural step and a win/win for both companies,” said Northern Chief Executive Officer Hugues Jacquemin. “The combination of our processing capacity and knowledge of graphite deposits in the area with Graphano’s promising graphite assets could increase the odds for success and potentially create new sources of ore for the LDI plant while shortening Graphano’s timeline to cash flow and production. At the same time, it represents a more efficient and consolidated approach to graphite exploration and development in the area that could help meet rising global demand while reinforcing Canada’s role as a reliable supplier of critical materials.”

Graphano CEO and President Dr. Luisa Moreno echoed these sentiments: “We are excited to work alongside Northern to accelerate the development of our graphite assets. This agreement helps to not only shorten our development timeline and lower capital costs but also aligns with our vision of enhancing Canada’s capacity to meet growing global demand for clean and sustainable graphite.”

About Northern Graphite
Northern, the only flake graphite producing company in North America, is a Canadian, TSX Venture Exchange listed company that 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. Northern’s mine-to-battery strategy is spearheaded by its Battery Materials Division, which has a fully equipped, state-of-the-art laboratory in Frankfurt. The Division is focused on developing advanced anode materials to improve the cycle life and increase the charging rate of lithium-ion batteries and on marketing Northern’s patented Porocarb® product. Porocarb® is a carbon-based material that enhances the performance of both solid state and lithium-ion batteries and is currently being evaluated by leading global battery manufacturers with very positive results.

Northern’s graphite assets include the producing Lac des Iles mine in Quebec where Northern plans to increase production to meet growing demand from industrial customers and coming demand from North American battery makers. Northern also owns the large-scale, advanced stage Bissett Creek project in Ontario, the Mousseau project in Quebec and the fully permitted Okanjande graphite mine in Namibia. Okanjande 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.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Luisa Moreno
Chief Executive Officer and Director
E: info@graphano.com

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 release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

This news release contains certain “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” (collectively “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, without limitation, relating to future operations, including exploration, drilling and other activities of Graphano, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “intends”, “estimates”, “potential”, “possible”, and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results “will”, “may”, “could”, or “should” occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements in this news release relate to, among other things, exploration work on the newly staked claims east of the Standard Mine and the Lac Aux Bouleaux property zones that have not been previously extensively examined. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by Graphano, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation, the ability to complete proposed exploration work, the results of exploration, continued availability of capital, and changes in general economic, market and business conditions. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning these items. Graphano does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by applicable securities laws.

SOURCE: Graphano Energy Ltd.