First Canadian Graphite Inc. (TSXV: FCI | OTC: GBMIF | FRANKFURT: BR20) has announced the appointment of Michael Iverson to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. The move comes as the junior mining company accelerates efforts to advance its flagship Berkwood Graphite Project in Quebec, positioning itself to supply high-quality graphite for battery, energy storage, and advanced manufacturing markets.
Iverson, a veteran mining executive with over two decades of experience, previously founded Niogold Mining Corp. and co-founded Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. He served in senior roles including Chairman, CEO, and President through 2016. At Niogold, he led the acquisition and exploration of a significant land package in Val-d’Or, Québec, which was later acquired by Oban Mining Corp. (now Osisko Mining Inc.) at a substantial premium. At Fortuna, he helped the company evolve into an established silver producer with operations in Peru and Mexico. He has also held executive positions with Volcanic Gold Mines Inc. since 2007.
Over his career, Iverson has raised, invested, and co-invested more than $100 million in companies he has led and advised. Companies where he served as CEO and/or director have achieved aggregate market capitalizations exceeding $1 billion. His expertise spans public and private equity markets, strategic planning, corporate governance, and sales and marketing.
“The FCI Team is thrilled to welcome Mike to the Board,” said John LaGourgue, CEO of First Canadian Graphite. “He brings extensive experience and a proven track record of building successful resource companies, particularly in Québec, as well as driving shareholder value. Mike will be working closely with management implementing best practices as we expand the resource at our flagship Berkwood Graphite Project and assist the move to becoming a leading graphite producer in North America.”
Iverson commented, “I am honoured to join the Board of First Canadian Graphite at such an exciting time. With increasing global demand for graphite as a critical material for energy storage and advanced technologies, the Company is well positioned to expand the current resource through drilling and exploration, execute on a PEA and make the required steps towards production.”
The company also announced that Brijender (Binny) Jassal will resign from the board but will continue as Chief Financial Officer. Jassal has been a dedicated director since 2017, and the board thanked him for his contributions.
First Canadian Graphite’s Berkwood Project, located in northern Quebec, has a 43-101 Resource Estimate Report revealing 3.2 million tonnes of indicated and inferred graphite, averaging grades of 17%. The company is committed to fostering relationships with the Pessamit Innu First Nation, on whose traditional territory the project is located.
The appointment of Iverson is expected to bolster the company’s strategic planning and capital markets expertise as it seeks to expand the resource through drilling and exploration, and progress toward a preliminary economic assessment (PEA) and production. The global push for onshore critical mineral supplies, particularly graphite for lithium-ion batteries, underpins the company’s growth strategy.
