First Canadian Graphite Inc. has appointed John LaGourgue as Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors, effective immediately. The junior mining company, focused on advancing high-grade graphite projects in Quebec, made the announcement as it seeks to meet growing demand for onshore sourced critical minerals.
LaGourgue brings over 25 years of experience in leadership, capital markets, commercial and governmental relations, business development, and operations in the resource sector. His background includes senior executive roles, board positions, advisory roles, and investments in private and public companies with a focus on microcap issuers. He has successfully led commercial and mining exploration programs, secured more than $100 million in debt and equity funding, and advanced projects through multiple stages.
"I am honoured to join the FCI team and look forward to driving an exciting new phase for the Company," said LaGourgue. "I see tremendous potential to position First Canadian Graphite as a leader in the global graphite supply chain. Our world-class graphite district features some of the highest-grade and highest-quality graphitic bodies in existence, located in Quebec's mining-friendly jurisdiction with excellent road access and global shipping capabilities."
The appointment aligns 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 of 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. Additional information about the company's projects can be found at https://www.firstcanadiangraphite.com.
Thomas Yingling, who will focus on his role as President to execute a busy 2026 program of field operations and steps toward commercializing the Company's resource, expressed enthusiasm about the appointment. "We are thrilled to welcome John LaGourgue to lead First Canadian at this pivotal time," said Yingling. "John's expertise, energy in expanding investor awareness, and clear vision for maximizing shareholder value through commercialization will be instrumental as we advance Berkwood, strengthen our management team and board, and capitalize on the surging global demand for graphite."
The Berkwood Project is located within the traditional territory of the Pessamit Innu First Nation, and the Company has committed to fostering respectful, transparent, and collaborative relationships with local Indigenous communities throughout the development process. This appointment comes as global demand for graphite continues to grow, driven by applications in electric vehicle batteries, energy storage systems, and various industrial uses where high-quality, large-flake graphite is essential.
First Canadian Graphite trades on multiple exchanges, including the TSX Venture Exchange under symbol FCI. The company's regulatory filings and additional risk factors are available through its SEDAR profile at https://www.sedar.com. The appointment of LaGourgue represents a strategic move to leverage his extensive experience in project oversight, corporate finance, and commercial operations to advance the company's Quebec-based graphite assets toward production.
