First Atlantic Nickel Featured in Article Highlighting Hydrogen Potential of Newfoundland and Labrador Nickel Deposits

Rhea-AI Summary

First Atlantic Nickel Corp. (FANCF) has been featured in a Telegram article highlighting the hydrogen potential of Newfoundland and Labrador's nickel deposits. The company's Atlantic Nickel Project, located in central Newfoundland, contains significant awaruite deposits - a naturally occurring sulfur-free nickel-iron alloy with ~75% nickel content. Awaruite offers key advantages as it can be processed into high-grade concentrates exceeding 60% nickel content through magnetic processing without smelting. This is particularly significant given the 2025 US Inflation Reduction Act requirements for EV tax credits, which mandate that critical minerals must not be processed by foreign entities of concern like China, which currently controls 68-80% of global nickel refining. The company's deposits could contribute to both the emerging hydrogen economy and North America's domestic critical minerals supply chain.

Positive

• Awaruite deposits can be processed into high-grade concentrates (>60% nickel) without smelting, reducing environmental impact
• Strategic positioning to benefit from US IRA EV tax credit requirements starting 2025
• Project location near existing infrastructure in Newfoundland
• Potential to reduce North American dependence on Chinese nickel processing (currently 68-80% of global supply)

Negative

• Early-stage exploration company with no production metrics provided
• No specific timeline or production targets mentioned
• No financial or resource estimate details disclosed

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Atlantic Nickel Corp. (TSXV: FAN) (OTCQB: FANCF) (FSE: P21) ("First Atlantic" or the "Company") a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on developing its 100%-owned Atlantic Nickel Project, a large-scale nickel project strategically located near existing infrastructure in central Newfoundland, Canada, is pleased to be featured in a recent article published by the Telegram, which explores the province’s emerging role in the global hydrogen economy.

The article, titled “Two-pronged cache: Mining company excited about hydrogen potential in NL nickel deposits”, published on April 30, 2025, explores how Newfoundland and Labrador’s rich nickel resources could contribute meaningfully to the global transition to clean energy, particularly through the production of green hydrogen.

Nickel plays a vital role in hydrogen production technology, and Newfoundland and Labrador’s nickel-rich geology positions the province as a natural contributor to global decarbonization goals.

Additionally, the article notes that ophiolites are globally recognized as prime sources of geologic hydrogen, created through natural processes as minerals within them interact. “Some of the most significant geologic hydrogen discoveries in the world occur in ophiolites,” the article states. Dr. Yaoguo Li of the Colorado School of Mines further explains, “Geologic hydrogen systems are a combination of mineral systems and natural gas systems,” emphasizing the complex and promising nature of this resource.

“Nickel is not just for batteries anymore, it may be the key to unlocking cleaner, more scalable hydrogen technologies,” the article notes, referencing the growing momentum behind hydrogen and nickel synergy.

The full article can be accessed here: https://www.saltwire.com/newfoundland-labrador/hydrogen-potential-in-nl-nickel-deposits

“We are proud to see Newfoundland and Labrador’s mineral potential gaining international attention, particularly in the context of hydrogen and clean energy,” said Adrian Smith, CEO of First Atlantic. “This recognition reinforces the long-term strategic value of our nickel exploration and development efforts.”

Awaruite (Nickel-iron alloy Ni₂Fe, Ni₃Fe)

Awaruite, a naturally occurring sulfur-free nickel-iron alloy composed of Ni₃Fe or Ni₂Fe with approximately ~75% nickel content, offers a proven and environmentally safe solution to enhance the resilience and security of North America's domestic critical minerals supply chain. Unlike conventional nickel sources, awaruite can be processed into high-grade concentrates exceeding 60% nickel content through magnetic processing and simple floatation without the need for smelting, roasting, or high-pressure acid leaching¹. Beginning in 2025, the US Inflation Reduction Act's (IRA) $7,500 electric vehicle (EV) tax credit mandates that eligible clean vehicles must not contain any critical minerals processed by foreign entities of concern (FEOC)². These entities include Russia and China, which currently dominate the global nickel smelting industry. Awaruite's smelter-free processing approach could potentially help North American electric vehicle manufacturers meet the IRA's stringent critical mineral requirements and reduce dependence on FEOCs for nickel processing.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) highlighted awaruite's potential, stating, "The development of awaruite deposits in other parts of Canada may help alleviate any prolonged shortage of nickel concentrate. Awaruite, a natural iron-nickel alloy, is much easier to concentrate than pentlandite, the principal sulfide of nickel"³. Awaruite's unique properties enable cleaner and safer processing compared to conventional sulfide and laterite nickel sources, which often involve smelting, roasting, or high-pressure acid leaching that can release toxic sulfur dioxide, generate hazardous waste, and lead to acid mine drainage. Awaruite's simpler processing, facilitated by its amenability to magnetic processing and lack of sulfur, eliminates these harmful methods, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and risks associated with toxic chemical release, addressing concerns about the large carbon footprint and toxic emissions linked to nickel refining.

Figure 1: Quote from USGS on Awaruite Deposits in Canada

The development of awaruite resources is crucial, given China's control in the global nickel market. Chinese companies refine and smelt 68% to 80% of the world's nickel⁴ and control an estimated 84% of Indonesia's nickel output, the largest worldwide supply⁵. Awaruite is a cleaner source of nickel that reduces dependence on foreign processing controlled by China, leading to a more secure and reliable supply for North America's stainless steel and electric vehicle industries.

Investor Information                

The Company's common shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "FAN", the American OTCQB Exchange under the symbol “FANCF” and on several German exchanges, including Frankfurt and Tradegate, under the symbol "P21".

Investors can get updates about First Atlantic by signing up to receive news via email and SMS text at www.fanickel.com. Stay connected and learn more by following us on these social media platforms:

https://x.com/FirstAtlanticNi
https://www.facebook.com/firstatlanticnickel
https://www.linkedin.com/company/firstatlanticnickel/

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
First Atlantic Investor Relations
Robert Guzman
Tel: +1 844 592 6337
rob@fanickel.com

Disclosure

Adrian Smith, P.Geo., is a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101. The qualified person is a member in good standing of the Professional Engineers and Geoscientists Newfoundland and Labrador (PEGNL) and is a registered professional geoscientist (P.Geo.). Mr. Smith has reviewed and approved the technical information disclosed herein.

Analytical Method & QAQC

Samples were split in half on site with one half remaining in the core box for future reference and one half packaged in secure bags. QAQC method included the use of blanks, duplicates and certified reference material (standards) with one being inserted once in every 20 samples in order to test the precision and accuracy of the lab. All results passed the QA/QC screening at the lab, and all Company inserted standards and blanks returned results that were within acceptable limits.

Samples were sent to Activation Laboratories Ltd. (“Actlabs”) in Fredericton, NB. Actlabs is an ISO 17025 certified lab, accredited and acting independently from First Atlantic. Each sample was crushed, with a 250 g sub-sample pulverized to 95% - 200 mesh. A portion of the sample is fused with a lithium metaborate/tetraborate flux and analyzed by ICP-OES for major oxides and elements including cobalt, chromium and nickel.

A magnetic separate is then generated by running the pulverized sub-sample through a magnetic separator which splits the sub-sample into magnetic and non-magnetic fractions. This involves running a 30 g split of the pulp through a Davis Tube magnetic separator as a slurry using a constant flow rate, a magnetic field strength of 3,300 Gauss, and a tube angle of 45 degrees to produce magnetic and non-magnetic fractions.

The magnetic fractions are collected, dried, weighed and the magnetic fraction is fused with a lithium metaborate/tetraborate flux and lithium bromide releasing agent and then analyzed on a wavelength dispersive XRF for multiple elements including nickel, cobalt, iron and chromium. The magnetically recovered nickel grade was then calculated by multiplying the XRF fusion nickel value by the weight of the magnetic fraction and dividing by the total recorded feed weight or magnetic mass pulled from the sample.

True widths are currently unknown. However the nickel bearing ultramafic ophiolite and peridotite rocks being targeted and sampled in the Phase 1 drilling program at the Atlantic Nickel Project are mapped as several hundred meters to over 1 kilometer wide and approximately 30 kilometers long.

About First Atlantic Nickel Corp.

First Atlantic Nickel Corp. (TSXV: FAN) (OTCQB: FANCF) (FSE: P21) is a Canadian mineral exploration company developing the 100%-owned Atlantic Nickel Project, a large-scale nickel project strategically located near existing infrastructure in Newfoundland, Canada. The Project's nickel occurs as awaruite, a natural nickel-iron alloy containing approximately 75% nickel with no-sulfur and no-sulfides. Awaruite's properties allow for smelter-free magnetic separation and concentration, which could strengthen North America's critical minerals supply chain by reducing foreign dependence on nickel smelting. This aligns with new US Electric Vehicle US IRA requirements, which stipulate that beginning in 2025, an eligible clean vehicle may not contain any critical minerals processed by a FEOC (Foreign Entities Of Concern)⁶.

First Atlantic aims to be a key input of a secure and reliable North American critical minerals supply chain for the stainless steel and electric vehicle industries in the USA and Canada. The company is positioned to meet the growing demand for responsibly sourced nickel that complies with the critical mineral requirements for eligible clean vehicles under the US IRA. With its commitment to responsible practices and experienced team, First Atlantic is poised to contribute significantly to the nickel industry's future, supporting the transition to a cleaner energy landscape. This mission gained importance when the US added nickel to its critical minerals list in 2022, recognizing it as a non-fuel mineral essential to economic and national security with a supply chain vulnerable to disruption.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-looking statements:

This news release may include "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Such forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and are based on a number of estimates and/or assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, expectations regarding the timing, scope, and results from the Phase 1 work and drilling program; results from the Phase 2 work and drilling program, future project developments, the Company’s objectives, goals or future plans, statements, and estimates of market conditions. Readers are cautioned that such forward-looking information are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, uncertain and volatile equity and capital markets, lack of available capital, actual results of exploration activities, environmental risks, future prices of base and other metals, operating risks, accidents, labour issues, delays in obtaining governmental approvals and permits, and other risks in the mining industry. Additional factors and risks including various risk factors discussed in the Company’s disclosure documents which can be found under the Company’s profile on http://www.sedarplus.ca. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected.

The Company is presently an exploration stage company. Exploration is highly speculative in nature, involves many risks, requires substantial expenditures, and may not result in the discovery of mineral deposits that can be mined profitably. Furthermore, the Company currently has no reserves on any of its properties. As a result, there can be no assurance that such forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. 

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¹ https://fpxnickel.com/projects-overview/what-is-awaruite/
² https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1939
³ https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/mineral-pubs/nickel/mcs-2012-nicke.pdf
⁴ https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/LTRC_ChinaSupplyChain.pdf
⁵ https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/JIPA/Display/Article/3703867/the-rise-of-great-mineral-powers/
⁶ https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1939

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3d32d2b9-81aa-4577-ad50-962550ef847e

FAQ

What makes First Atlantic Nickel's (FANCF) awaruite deposits unique?

First Atlantic's awaruite deposits contain a sulfur-free nickel-iron alloy with ~75% nickel that can be processed into high-grade concentrates without smelting, offering a cleaner processing method compared to conventional nickel sources.

How could First Atlantic Nickel benefit from the 2025 US Inflation Reduction Act?

The IRA requires EV tax credit-eligible vehicles to use critical minerals not processed by foreign entities of concern like China. First Atlantic's awaruite deposits could provide a domestic North American processing solution.

What is the significance of First Atlantic Nickel's location in Newfoundland?

The project is strategically located near existing infrastructure in central Newfoundland, where nickel deposits could contribute to both the global hydrogen economy and domestic critical minerals supply chain.

What is First Atlantic Nickel's (FANCF) potential role in hydrogen production?

The company's nickel deposits in Newfoundland could contribute to green hydrogen production technology, as nickel plays a vital role in hydrogen production and the region's ophiolites are recognized sources of geologic hydrogen.

How does First Atlantic Nickel's processing method differ from traditional nickel processing?

Unlike conventional nickel processing that requires smelting, roasting, or high-pressure acid leaching, First Atlantic's awaruite can be processed through magnetic processing and simple flotation, eliminating harmful methods and reducing emissions.