Core Viewpoint - Focus Graphite Inc. has engaged Dr. Reuter Investor Relations to enhance its visibility and communications in the European capital markets, effective February 16, 2026, amid growing interest in secure critical minerals supply chains, particularly for battery materials and defense applications [1][2][3]. Company Engagement and Strategy - The engagement with Dr. Reuter aims to improve investor awareness and shareholder communications as the company advances its flagship projects and downstream processing initiatives [2][3]. - Focus Graphite's CEO highlighted the increasing strategic interest from European markets in diversifying supply chains for critical minerals, emphasizing the need for secure and traceable graphite supply [3]. - The company will participate in the Canadian Critical Minerals Mission to Europe from February 16-20, 2026, facilitating direct dialogue with government stakeholders and institutional investors [4]. Financial Terms of Engagement - The agreement with Dr. Reuter includes a monthly fee of €4,000 for a six-month term, with a performance review after three months [5]. - The services provided will encompass investor relations, financial public relations, and ongoing performance reporting [5]. Company Overview - Focus Graphite Advanced Materials operates two 100% owned graphite projects, with the Lac Knife project being one of the most advanced high-purity graphite deposits in North America [6][7]. - The company is committed to environmentally sustainable processing solutions and innovative battery technologies, including a patent-pending silicon-enhanced spheroidized graphite [7][8]. - Focus Graphite aims to secure a locally sourced supply of critical minerals, reducing dependence on foreign markets and driving the transition to a sustainable future [8].

Core Viewpoint - Titan Mining Corporation reported record zinc production for 2025 and provided production, cost, and capital expenditure guidance for 2026, emphasizing a focus on high-quality ore bodies and sustainable value creation [1][4]. Production Highlights - The company achieved a record zinc production of 64.2 million payable pounds in 2025, an increase of 8% from 2024, and met its full-year production guidance [2][10]. - In Q4 2025, the output was 18.7 million pounds, reflecting a 28% sequential increase [10]. - The production guidance for 2026 is set between 62 to 66 million payable pounds, with a focus on development and access to higher-quality ore [10][13]. Cost and Capital Expenditure Guidance - The estimated C1 Cash Cost for 2026 is between $0.93 and $1.01 per payable pound, while the All-In Sustaining Cost (AISC) is projected to be between $1.07 and $1.17 per payable pound [13][14]. - Sustaining capital expenditures are expected to be between $8.5 million and $8.9 million, with exploration capital expenditures estimated at $3.5 million to $3.9 million [14]. Operational Review - Mining operations in Q4 2025 focused on high-grade areas, contributing to improved mill feed grades and achieving full-year production guidance [7]. - The N2D zone mining was temporarily suspended to prioritize higher-grade areas, with plans for reactivation in 2026 [8]. - New mobile equipment was introduced to enhance underground development and production capacity, contributing to stronger performance in Q4 [8]. Graphite Production Update - The company commenced graphite production at the Kilbourne facility, marking the first U.S. natural flake graphite processing plant in over 70 years [11][12]. - The current operating capacity of the facility is approximately 1,200 tonnes per year, with potential to ramp up to 2,500 tonnes per year [12].

Core Viewpoint - Manganese X Energy Corp. has received a patent from the South African Patent Office for its proprietary purification process of manganese sulfate, which is essential for lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles and energy storage systems [1][2]. Company Developments - The CEO of Manganese X, Martin Kepman, highlighted that the patent marks a significant milestone in the company's goal to become a vertically integrated North American supplier of battery-grade manganese [2]. - The patent enhances the company's intellectual property portfolio and supports its strategy to supply high-purity manganese sulfate to the growing lithium-ion battery market [2][5]. - Manganese X is currently conducting a pre-feasibility study to evaluate various processing routes for optimizing technical and economic performance [2]. Strategic Positioning - Manganese X has applied for patent protection in Canada, the United States, Mexico, and Australia, positioning itself strategically within a key global manganese jurisdiction [3]. - The company aims to develop a fully integrated North American critical minerals supply chain, leveraging South Africa's status as a major manganese producer [3]. Industry Context - High-purity manganese sulfate is a crucial precursor material for lithium-ion battery chemistries, including Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt (NMC) and emerging high-manganese technologies, which are vital for electric vehicles and energy storage systems [4]. - With the acceleration of global electric vehicle adoption and government focus on domestic critical mineral supply chains, Manganese X is advancing its role as a strategic supplier of battery-grade manganese [5]. Project Development - The company is focused on advancing its Battery Hill project in New Brunswick, Canada, which is one of the largest manganese carbonate deposits in North America [2][6]. - Manganese X aims to become the first publicly traded manganese mining company in Canada and the U.S. to commercialize EV-compliant high-purity manganese [6].

Core Insights - The Trump administration has launched "Project Vault," a public-private partnership aimed at creating a stockpile of critical minerals essential for national security and economic stability [1][3]. Group 1: Project Vault Overview - Project Vault will include minerals identified as critical by the U.S. Geological Survey, which lists over 50 minerals including rare earths, lithium, uranium, and copper [2]. - The initiative will be funded by the U.S. Export-Import Bank providing $10 billion in loans, with an additional $2 billion from private capital [3]. Group 2: Industry Impact - Equipment manufacturers such as GE Vernova, Western Digital, and Boeing have shown interest in the project, indicating its potential to support various industries [3]. - Critical minerals are vital for multiple sectors, including defense, robotics, semiconductors, electronics, and energy, highlighting their importance beyond the automotive industry [4]. Group 3: Strategic Context - The stockpile initiative is part of a broader strategy to counter China's dominance in critical minerals, particularly in refining, following China's previous export restrictions during trade disputes [5]. - The U.S. stockpile will source minerals both domestically and internationally, with plans for storage in a network of warehouse facilities across the United States [6]. Group 4: Government Actions - The Trump administration has taken equity stakes in several mining companies to strengthen them against competition from state-backed entities in China [7]. - Notable agreements include a deal with MP Materials for rare earth mining and financing plans for USA Rare Earth, along with stakes in Lithium Americas and Trilogy Metals [8]. Group 5: Future Considerations - The U.S. is exploring a sovereign risk insurance fund to protect investments in mining projects from potential cancellations by future administrations, which would further enhance the critical minerals strategy [9].

Core Insights - Electra Battery Materials Corporation has awarded a contract worth US$6.1 million (C$8.3 million) to EXP Services Inc. for engineering, project management, and construction management services for its Ontario battery materials refinery project [1] - The partnership with EXP is aimed at enhancing project execution capabilities as Electra moves towards the final phase of its cobalt sulfate refinery development, which is expected to reach mechanical completion and commissioning in 2027 [2][3] Company Developments - Electra is focused on commissioning its cobalt sulfate refinery in 2027, which is positioned as a strategic asset to support North America's military and industrial base amid increasing demand for critical minerals [3] - The refinery, located in Temiskaming Shores, Ontario, is the only facility of its kind under development in North America, with significant construction milestones already achieved [3] - The company is targeting mechanical completion of the refinery in the first half of 2027, with an expected annual production of 5,100 tonnes of battery-grade cobalt sulfate, with plans for expansion to 6,500 tonnes [4] Industry Positioning - Electra is a leader in advancing North America's critical minerals supply chain for lithium-ion batteries, focusing on onshoring critical minerals refining to reduce reliance on foreign supply chains [5] - The company also holds significant land in the Idaho Cobalt Belt, positioning it as a potential cornerstone for North American cobalt and copper production [5] - Additionally, Electra is exploring black mass recycling opportunities to recover lithium and other critical minerals from end-of-life batteries, while evaluating growth opportunities in nickel refining [6]

Core Viewpoint - The demand for graphite is increasing significantly due to its essential role in lithium-ion batteries and concerns over supply chain reliability, particularly in light of trade tensions with China [2][4]. Industry Overview - Graphite mining in the U.S. has largely ceased since the 1950s, but there is a renewed interest in domestic production as geopolitical factors shift [1][11]. - The U.S. Department of Energy has classified graphite as a critical mineral, highlighting its importance for various commercial and military applications [6]. Company Developments - Titan Mining Corp. is actively mining graphite in northern New York, with plans for commercial sales by 2028, aiming to meet a significant portion of U.S. graphite needs [3][15]. - Titan's New York deposit is expected to produce approximately 40,000 metric tonnes (44,092 tons) of graphite concentrate annually, which could fulfill about half of the current U.S. demand for natural graphite [15]. Market Dynamics - The global demand for graphite is projected to continue rising over the next decade, driven by the battery industry, which utilizes both natural and synthetic graphite [7]. - U.S. policymakers have expressed concerns over reliance on China for graphite supply, especially after recent export controls were implemented by China [8][9]. Regulatory and Financial Support - The U.S. government has initiated measures to bolster domestic graphite production, including tax credits and fast-tracked permitting for critical mineral projects [9][14]. - The Export-Import Bank has indicated potential financial support for graphite mining projects, including a loan of up to $120 million for construction [14].

Core Insights - Titan Mining Corporation is positioned to supply up to 50% of U.S. natural graphite demand, supported by federal backing under EXIM's "Make More in America" initiative [1][6] - The Kilbourne Graphite Project has demonstrated robust economics with an after-tax NPV(7%) of $513 million, a 37% IRR, and a payback period of 2.7 years [2][4] - The project is expected to create approximately 160 permanent jobs, contributing to local economic benefits in St. Lawrence County and New York State [9] Economic Highlights - The Kilbourne Project Study indicates a pre-tax NPV of $581 million and an after-tax NPV of $513 million [10] - The project has a pre-tax IRR of 38.9% and an after-tax IRR of 37.0% [10] - Initial capital expenditure is estimated at $156 million, with a life of mine OPEX of $886 million [10][12] Production and Resource Details - The Kilbourne Project hosts an inferred mineral resource of 22.4 million tons grading 2.91% Cg, with significant exploration upside as only 30% of the known strike length has been drilled [7][18] - Average production is projected at approximately 40,000 metric tonnes per annum of graphite concentrate, which aligns with nearly 50% of current U.S. demand [4][7] - The project will utilize a flotation-based concentrator, achieving 95% Cg at approximately 90% recovery [7] Government Support and Financing - EXIM has approved an additional $5.5 million of non-dilutive funding to accelerate feasibility work at Kilbourne [2][4] - A non-binding Letter of Interest for up to $120 million of project financing has been issued by EXIM, expected to cover the majority of construction capital [2][4] Strategic Importance - The Kilbourne Project is positioned as a cornerstone of U.S. graphite supply, enhancing domestic supply chains for strategic minerals essential to national security [6][9] - Titan's operations are expected to support U.S. defense and semiconductor supply chains through the development of a multi-metal critical materials complex [4][6]

Core Viewpoint - Titan Mining Corporation has achieved a significant milestone by getting its common shares approved for listing on the NYSE American, which reflects the company's momentum and its role in strengthening America's critical minerals supply chain [1][2]. Company Overview - Titan Mining Corporation is a zinc concentrate producer located in upstate New York and is also emerging as a natural flake graphite producer, which is essential in the rare earths and critical minerals ecosystem [1][4]. - The company operates the Empire State Mine, which is 100% owned and produces zinc concentrate, while also targeting to be the first end-to-end producer of natural flake graphite in the USA in 70 years [4]. Listing Details - Trading on NYSE American is expected to commence on or about November 20, 2025, under the ticker symbol "TII," while the shares will cease to be quoted on the OTCQB Venture Market [2]. - Current shareholders do not need to take any action, but those holding shares through OTCQB brokers should monitor their accounts for updates to the new ticker symbol [3]. Strategic Importance - The listing on NYSE American is expected to broaden Titan's access to global capital markets and enhance its visibility as it develops its graphite project [2]. - Graphite is classified as an essential critical mineral by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Department of War, with the U.S. currently importing 100% of its natural graphite, 42% of which comes from China [2]. Future Growth Potential - Titan's federally supported U.S. graphite platform is anticipated to deliver transformative, long-term growth, positioning the company uniquely in the market [2][5].

Core Insights - Focus Graphite has received conditional funding of up to $14.1 million from Natural Resources Canada to support the establishment of Canada's first electrothermal fluidized bed purification demonstration facility, aimed at producing ultra-high-purity graphite for various markets [2][3][4] Funding and Project Overview - The funding, announced at the G7 Energy and Environment Ministers' Meeting, is part of the Global Partnerships Initiative and is pending final due diligence [2][3] - The project will utilize Quebec-sourced graphite from Focus's Lac Knife and Lac Tetepisca deposits, which are among North America's highest-grade natural graphite resources, to produce graphite with purity levels exceeding 99.95% carbon [4][21] Environmental and Technological Aspects - The electrothermal fluidized bed technology is designed to produce ultra-high purity graphite with zero liquid waste and lower emissions, aligning with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards [3][20] - The project aims to establish a scalable and chemical-free purification process, enhancing Canada's critical mineral processing capacity [20][21] International Collaboration - The project involves collaboration with Ukrainian and American partners, including the Thermal & Material Engineering Center and American Energy Technologies Company, to leverage their expertise in engineering and purification technologies [3][5][8] - Focus Graphite has also partnered with the University of Texas at Dallas's BEACONS Battery Prototyping Facility to validate and commercialize the purified graphite for defense and advanced battery applications [7][14] Path to Commercialization - The initiative is expected to create skilled jobs and support regional economic development while establishing a domestic purification capability for Canadian-sourced graphite [21][22] - Focus Graphite plans to produce qualification samples for G7 and NATO-aligned partners, addressing the upstream bottleneck in establishing large-scale purification capacity in Canada [22][23] Future Prospects - The electrothermal platform may eventually be adapted for rare earth element purification, potentially opening new avenues for clean processing of strategic materials [23] - The project aligns with Canada's Critical Minerals Strategy, aiming to reduce dependence on foreign-controlled materials and enhance energy security [21][22]

Core Insights - Aqua Metals, Inc. has announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with MOBY Robotics Inc. to lead in sustainable refining of deep-sea polymetallic nodules, aiming to enhance domestic solutions for critical mineral independence [1][5][7] Collaboration Details - The MOU focuses on evaluating the technical and commercial feasibility of producing battery-grade materials from polymetallic deep-sea nodules, with bench-scale testing planned for later this year [2][3] - The collaboration will also explore the extraction and refining of rare earth elements (REEs) from the nodules, which would expand Aqua Metals' role in the domestic supply chain for batteries and advanced manufacturing [3][4] Strategic Importance - This initiative marks Aqua Metals' second MOU related to deep-sea minerals, extending its AquaRefining™ process beyond lithium-ion battery recycling to new sources of critical minerals [4] - The collaboration is seen as a significant opportunity to strengthen the U.S. supply of critical minerals, particularly as international demand for nickel, cobalt, and manganese increases [5][6] Market Position - Aqua Metals is positioned as a first mover in sustainable refining and battery metals recycling, with initiatives expected to enhance its standing in the multi-billion-dollar critical minerals market [7]