Graphite One Welcomes New Executive Order on Critical Minerals from President Trump

Graphite One Applauds New Direction in Critical Minerals Policy

On March 20, 2025, President Donald Trump issued a pivotal Executive Order (EO) titled 'Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production,' and Graphite One Inc. couldn't be more enthusiastic. This new directive resonates as a significant signal that the U.S. Government is fully awakening to the essential need for critical minerals, particularly graphite, which plays a vital role in national security and various industrial applications.

Anthony Huston, CEO of Graphite One, hailed the EO as a 'whole of government' engagement approach, emphasizing the urgency to accelerate domestic mineral development. With the backing of the Defense Production Act and the Export-Import (EXIM) Bank, the company's strategic vision for a U.S.-based graphite supply chain is now receiving unprecedented governmental support. This EO aims not only to address the current inadequacies but also clearly outlines new resources, including federal grants, loans, and permitting reforms, intended to streamline the process and get more projects into production more effectively than ever.

The EO sets in motion a series of initiatives requiring immediate attention from the Secretaries of Defense, Energy, and Interior on critical mineral projects. These authorities are tasked with taking action within tight timelines of 10, 15, 30, and 45 days, and the order also allows certain legal provisions to be waived under the 'national emergency' classification.

Notably, Graphite One has already benefited from such governmental support, having received a grant from the Defense Production Act to advance its feasibility study, which is scheduled for release in April 2025. Furthermore, the company has a non-binding Letter of Interest worth $325 million from the EXIM Bank to assist in the construction of its Ohio-based anode manufacturing plant. These developments paint a promising picture, aligning perfectly with the EO's intentions, as both the DPA and EXIM Bank now possess significantly enhanced capabilities determined by the latest executive directive.

The resonance of the new Executive Order is especially echoed in Alaska, where the Graphite One project resides, noted for housing 49 out of the 50 U.S. Government-designated Critical Minerals. In the recent State of the State address, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy highlighted that the Graphite One deposit, the largest in North America and located north of Nome, has substantial government support and is expected to break ground by 2027, gearing for production as early as 2029.

Graphite One's holistic approach aims at establishing a self-sufficient and resilient domestic supply chain for advanced graphite materials. Given that the U.S. largely relies on imports for anode active materials, the company's proposed manufacturing and recycling facilities in Warren, Ohio, are critical to alleviating this dependency. By developing an integrated supply chain anchored by the Graphite Creek deposit – recognized by the US Geological Survey as one of the world's largest – Graphite One is not just contributing to resource independence but is also setting up a circular economy for graphite usage.

Graphite One's strategy doesn’t merely focus on traditional mining; it embraces a full-spectrum operational approach aimed at processing, manufacturing, and recycling graphite and battery materials, which are vital for the lithium-ion electric vehicle market. This plan is currently aligned with the anticipated outcomes from the feasibility study and existing partnerships that will enhance manufacturing capabilities and uphold product standards.

As Graphite One continues to push forward with its plans, supported by the new Executive Order, its vision of becoming a major American producer of high-grade anode materials comes closer to fruition. The commitment from federal entities marks a transformative change in how critical mineral development will be approached in the United States. This new strategic direction sets the stage for a robust manufacturing sector, and Graphite One is well-positioned to play a pivotal role in this evolving landscape.

For additional information about Graphite One, visit their official website at www.GraphiteOneInc.com or follow them on X @GraphiteOne.