In this InvestorIntel interview, Tracy Weslosky interviews Lomiko Metals Inc.’s (TSXV: LMR | OTCQB: LMRMF) CEO and Director Belinda Labatte about how Lomiko is developing a sustainable approach to critical minerals development in North America. Providing an update on their La Loutre Graphite Project in Québec, Belinda explains how Lomiko is well positioned to be part of the solution for the global graphite shortage that experts anticipate we will start to see in 2023.

As interest in North American source for natural flake graphite continues to grow, Belinda discusses how the shortfall in graphite supply may increase to 8 million tons by 2040. Speaking on the strength of Lomiko’s management team that has experience in getting exploration plays to production, Belinda states, “We know how to take a project all the way through the stages of development.”

To access the full InvestorIntel interview, click here

Don’t miss other InvestorIntel interviews. Subscribe to the InvestorIntel YouTube channel by clicking here.

About Lomiko Metals Inc.

Lomiko Metals has a new vision and a new strategy in new energy. Lomiko represents a company with purpose: a people-first company where we can manifest a world of abundant renewable energy with Canadian and Quebec critical minerals for a solution in North America. Our goal is to create a new energy future in Canada where we will grow the critical minerals workforce, become a valued partner and neighbour with the communities in which we operate, and provide a secure and responsibly sourced supply of critical minerals.

In addition to La Loutre, Lomiko is working with Critical Elements Lithium Corporation towards earning its 70% stake in the Bourier Project as per the option agreement announced on April 27^th, 2021. The Bourier project site is located near Nemaska Lithium and Critical Elements south-east of the Eeyou Istchee James Bay territory in Quebec which consists of 203 claims, for a total ground position of 10,252.20 hectares (102.52 km2), in Canada’s lithium triangle near the James Bay region of Quebec that has historically housed lithium deposits and mineralization trends.

To learn more about Lomiko Metals Inc., click here

Disclaimer: Lomiko Metals Inc. is an advertorial member of InvestorIntel Corp.

This interview, which was produced by InvestorIntel Corp., (IIC), does not contain, nor does it purport to contain, a summary of all the material information concerning the “Company” being interviewed. IIC offers no representations or warranties that any of the information contained in this interview is accurate or complete.

This presentation may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and assumptions of the management of the Company as of the date made. They are inherently susceptible to uncertainty and other factors that could cause actual events/results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Additional risks and uncertainties, including those that the Company does not know about now or that it currently deems immaterial, may also adversely affect the Company’s business or any investment therein.

Any projections given are principally intended for use as objectives and are not intended, and should not be taken, as assurances that the projected results will be obtained by the Company. The assumptions used may not prove to be accurate and a potential decline in the Company’s financial condition or results of operations may negatively impact the value of its securities. Prospective investors are urged to review the Company’s profile on Sedar.com and to carry out independent investigations in order to determine their interest in investing in the Company.

If you have any questions surrounding the content of this interview, please contact us at +1 416 792 8228 and/or email us direct at [email protected].

In this InvestorIntel interview, Byron W King interviews Lomiko Metals Inc.’s (TSXV: LMR | OTCQB: LMRMF) CEO and Director Belinda Labatte, and COO Gordana Slepcev about the coming global graphite shortage. With the recent drill results further extending graphite mineralization in multiple zones at the La Loutre Graphite Project in Québec, Belinda provides an update on Lomiko’s portfolio of critical minerals projects in Quebec.

With the Canadian Government announcing that all new vehicle sales will be electric by 2035, Belinda explains how the graphite supply shortage may increase to 8 million tons by 2040. Gordana says that 95% of the anode in a lithium-ion battery is composed of graphite. She goes on to discuss how graphite from Lomiko’s La Loutre Project may be suitable for anode battery applications which require graphite concentrate of 99.95%.

To access the full InvestorIntel interview, click here

Don’t miss other InvestorIntel interviews. Subscribe to the InvestorIntel YouTube channel by clicking here.

About Lomiko Metals Inc.

Lomiko Metals has a new vision and a new strategy in new energy. Lomiko represents a company with purpose: a people-first company where we can manifest a world of abundant renewable energy with Canadian and Quebec critical minerals for a solution in North America. Our goal is to create a new energy future in Canada where we will grow the critical minerals workforce, become a valued partner and neighbour with the communities in which we operate, and provide a secure and responsibly sourced supply of critical minerals.

In addition to La Loutre, Lomiko is working with Critical Elements Lithium Corporation towards earning its 70% stake in the Bourier Project as per the option agreement announced on April 27^th, 2021. The Bourier project site is located near Nemaska Lithium and Critical Elements south-east of the Eeyou Istchee James Bay territory in Quebec which consists of 203 claims, for a total ground position of 10,252.20 hectares (102.52 km2), in Canada’s lithium triangle near the James Bay region of Quebec that has historically housed lithium deposits and mineralization trends.

To learn more about Lomiko Metals Inc., click here

Disclaimer: Lomiko Metals Inc. is an advertorial member of InvestorIntel Corp.

This interview, which was produced by InvestorIntel Corp., (IIC), does not contain, nor does it purport to contain, a summary of all the material information concerning the “Company” being interviewed. IIC offers no representations or warranties that any of the information contained in this interview is accurate or complete.

This presentation may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and assumptions of the management of the Company as of the date made. They are inherently susceptible to uncertainty and other factors that could cause actual events/results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Additional risks and uncertainties, including those that the Company does not know about now or that it currently deems immaterial, may also adversely affect the Company’s business or any investment therein.

Any projections given are principally intended for use as objectives and are not intended, and should not be taken, as assurances that the projected results will be obtained by the Company. The assumptions used may not prove to be accurate and a potential decline in the Company’s financial condition or results of operations may negatively impact the value of its securities. Prospective investors are urged to review the Company’s profile on Sedar.com and to carry out independent investigations in order to determine their interest in investing in the Company.

If you have any questions surrounding the content of this interview, please contact us at +1 416 792 8228 and/or email us direct at [email protected].

The flake graphite sector does not get as much attention as lithium, yet the demand wave coming is also very significant. For example, in 2021 the International Energy Agency forecast that flake graphite demand could grow between 8x to 25x from 2020 to 2040. Benchmark Mineral Intelligence forecasts we need 97 new (56,000tpa) natural flake graphite mines from 2022 to 2035.

The calm before the storm

More recently in October 2022, Fastmarkets stated:

“Fastmarkets has forecast that demand for graphite from the battery sector in 2022 will rise by 40% year on year, in line with growth in the EV sector……We expect to see the graphite market tip back into deficit in late 2022…….Graphite prices are in a lull, but this lull will prove to be temporary and may well be the calm before the storm.”

Note: Bold emphasis by the author.

An 8 to 25x increase in demand, 97 new graphite mines, graphite deficit coming in late 2022! Yet no one is talking about graphite. Today we cover the main western graphite producers and touch on a few promising near term graphite producers, noting China currently dominates the graphite and anode sectors.

The western flake graphite leading producers

Syrah Resources Limited (ASX: SYR) – Syrah is an Australian company and one of the world’s largest flake graphite producers from their Balama graphite mine in Mozambique. Syrah is also working towards becoming a vertically integrated producer of Active Anode Materials (“AAM”) at their Vidalia facility, Louisiana, USA. In some exciting recent news for shareholders, Syrah was selected for a U.S Department of Energy grant of up to US$220 million towards their Vidalia facility expansion (initial production targeted to begin in Sept. quarter 2023). This comes on top of the news late in 2021 that Syrah signed a four year deal to supply graphite anode materials to Tesla. Syrah also recently signed an MOU with Ford and SK On as well as an MOU with LG Energy Solution. Clearly, Syrah Resources is in the box seat to become a critical supplier of both graphite and active anode materials this decade, especially for western OEMs.

The following companies are smaller scale western flake graphite producers:

• Advanced Metallurgical Group NV (AMS: AMG | OTC: AMVMF) – Is a diversified producer of critical metals. They mostly produce lithium and vanadium, but also some high purity natural graphite production.
• Ceylon Graphite Corp. (TSXV: CYL | OTCQB: CYLYF) – Produces graphite from their ‘vein graphite’ mine in Sri Lanka.
• Mineral Commodities Ltd. (ASX: MRC) – State they have the “world’s highest-grade operating flake graphite mine with mill feed grade averaging ∼25%C”. Also that they are “the biggest crystalline graphite producer in Europe and the fourth largest producer globally outside of China and accounts for around 2% of global annual natural flake graphite production” at their Skaland Graphite Operation in Norway. They also own the Munglinup Graphite Project in Western Australia and have received Critical Minerals Grant funding to build a pilot scale battery anode plant in Australia.
• Northern Graphite (TSXV: NGC | OTCQB: NGPHF) – Recently completed the purchase from Imerys of the Lac des Iles producing graphite mine in Quebec and the Okanjande graphite deposit/Okorusu processing plant in Namibia. They also own the Bissett Creek graphite project located 100km east of North Bay, Ontario, Canada and the nearby Mousseau West Graphite Project.
  

Near term western potential flake graphite producers

• NextSource Materials Inc. (TSX: NEXT | OTCQB: NSRCF) – Completion of construction activities and the start of mining activities is expected in November 2022, at their Molo Graphite Project in Madagascar. Phase 1 of the Molo Mine is designed to operate at a production capacity of 17,000 tonnes per annum.
  
• Westwater Resources Inc. (NYSE: WWR) – Owns the Coosa Graphite Plant (2023 production start targeted) in USA. The Company plans to source natural graphite initially from non-China suppliers and then from the USA from 2028.
• Nouveau Monde Graphite Inc. ( NYSE: NMG | TSXV: NOU ) (“NMG”) – Own the Matawinie graphite project, located in Quebec, Canada. In September this year it was announced that Tesla had recently visited their project in Quebec. Also recently the Company announced: “NMG, Panasonic Energy and Mitsui announce Offtake and Strategic Partnership supporting the supply of active anode material plus US$50 million private placement by Mitsui, Pallinghurst and Investissement Québec.”
• Lomiko Metals Inc. (TSXV: LMR | OTCQB: LMRMF) – Earlier stage but 100% owns the promising La Loutre Graphite Project in Québec, Canada, where a PEA has been completed.
  

Closing remarks

An 8 to 25x increase in demand by 2040, 97 new graphite mines needed by 2035, graphite deficit coming in late 2022! Investors should not forget about graphite, and particularly focus on those graphite miners that are working towards being able to manufacture value-added active anode materials (spherical graphite), as that is where the real money is.

We may be experiencing ‘the calm before the storm’ (before graphite deficits push up prices), which means the sector still offers many great opportunities for investors.

Disclosure: The author is long Syrah Resources (ASX: SYR) and Advanced Metallurgical Group NV (AMS: AMG).

In this InvestorIntel interview with host Tracy Weslosky, Lomiko Metals Inc.‘s (TSXV: LMR | OTCQB: LMRMF) COO Gordana Slepcev talks about the company’s aggressive 18,000 m drill program currently underway at their La Loutre graphite project in Quebec with first results expected later this summer.

In the interview, which can also be viewed in full on the InvestorIntel YouTube channel (click here), Gordana discusses progress on the 120 drill holes on targets named the “Electric Vehicle Zone” and the “Battery Zone” at La Loutre. “The names of the zones are aspirational of where we want to be we want to be,” Gordana told Tracy, “a supplier of critical minerals, especially the graphite for these new and emerging technologies.” Gordana goes on to say that initial lab purification results from Lomiko’s La Loutre graphite project have resulted in over 99.9% purity and low contaminant levels, so “some of the physical and chemical characteristics of the graphite are excellent – better than we actually expected for this first pass.”

Gordana also talks about the importance of Lomiko’s commitment to being an ESG company. “The only way to go forward,” she says “is by adopting all these ESG principles, and we are spearheading that. The reality is in order to decarbonize our future we have to decarbonize transport,” and she says graphite will be an important part of that transformation.

To access the full InvestorIntel interview, click here

Don’t miss other InvestorIntel interviews. Subscribe to the InvestorIntel YouTube channel by clicking here.

About Lomiko Metals Inc.

Lomiko Metals has a new vision and a new strategy in new energy. Lomiko represents a company with purpose: a people-first company where we can manifest a world of abundant renewable energy with Canadian and Quebec critical minerals for a solution in North America. Our goal is to create a new energy future in Canada where we will grow the critical minerals workforce, become a valued partner and neighbour with the communities in which we operate, and provide a secure and responsibly sourced supply of critical minerals.

The Company holds a 100% interest in its La Loutre graphite development in southern Quebec. The La Loutre project site is located within the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg (KZA) First Nations territory. The KZA First Nations are part of the Algonquin Nation and the KZA territory is situated within the Outaouais and Laurentides regions. Located 180 kilometres northwest of Montreal, the property consists of one  large, continuous block with 48 minerals claims totaling 2,867 hectares (28.7km2). Lomiko Metals published a July 29, 2021 Preliminary Economic Estimate (PEA) which indicated the project had a 15-year mine life producing per year 100,000 tonnes of graphite concentrate at 95% Cg or a total of 1.5Mt of graphite concentrate. This report was prepared as National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report for Lomiko Metals Inc. by Ausenco Engineering Canada Inc., Hemmera Envirochem Inc., Moose Mountain Technical Services, and Metpro Management Inc., collectively the Report Authors.

Lomiko is working with Critical Elements Lithium Corporation towards earning its 70% stake in the Bourier Project as per the options agreement announced on April 27th, 2021. The Bourier project site is located near Nemaska Lithium and Critical Elements south-east of the Eeyou Istchee James Bay territory in Quebec which consists of 203 claims, for a total ground position of 10,252.20 hectares (102.52 km2), in Canada’s lithium triangle near the James Bay region of Quebec that has historically housed lithium deposits and mineralization trends.

To learn more about Lomiko Metals Inc., click here

Disclaimer: Lomiko Metals Inc. is an advertorial member of InvestorIntel Corp.

This interview, which was produced by InvestorIntel Corp., (IIC), does not contain, nor does it purport to contain, a summary of all the material information concerning the “Company” being interviewed. IIC offers no representations or warranties that any of the information contained in this interview is accurate or complete.

This presentation may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and assumptions of the management of the Company as of the date made. They are inherently susceptible to uncertainty and other factors that could cause actual events/results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Additional risks and uncertainties, including those that the Company does not know about now or that it currently deems immaterial, may also adversely affect the Company’s business or any investment therein.

Any projections given are principally intended for use as objectives and are not intended, and should not be taken, as assurances that the projected results will be obtained by the Company. The assumptions used may not prove to be accurate and a potential decline in the Company’s financial condition or results of operations may negatively impact the value of its securities. Prospective investors are urged to review the Company’s profile on Sedar.com and to carry out independent investigations in order to determine their interest in investing in the Company.

If you have any questions surrounding the content of this interview, please contact us at +1 416 792 8228 and/or email us direct at [email protected].

Jack Lifton interviews CEO and Director Belinda Labatte on an update on Lomiko Metals Inc. (TSXV: LMR | OTCQB: LMRMF). In this compelling conversation with Jack, Belinda participates in a discussion on not only Canada’s vision for the competitive development of an EV supply chain, but the competitive advantages of the Quebec graphite industry.

In this InvestorIntel interview, which may also be viewed on YouTube (click here to subscribe to the InvestorIntel Channel), Belinda Labatte pointed out the fragility of the present graphite supply chain in North America given that “100% of the processing of graphite occurs in China and about 90% of the material comes from China.” Highlighting the huge demand for graphite in Quebec and the rest of North America, Belinda went on to also provide an update on Lomiko’s UL ECOLOGO® certification for mineral exploration to validate Lomiko’s responsible business practices.

To watch the full interview, click here

About Lomiko Metals Inc.

Lomiko Metals has a new vision and a new strategy in new energy. Lomiko represents a company with purpose: a people-first company where we can manifest a world of abundant renewable energy with Canadian and Quebec critical minerals for a solution in North America. Our goal is to create a new energy future in Canada where we will grow the critical minerals workforce, become a valued partner and neighbour with the communities in which we operate, and provide a secure and responsibly sourced supply of critical minerals.

The Company holds a 100% interest in its La Loutre graphite development in southern Quebec. The La Loutre project site is located within the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg (KZA) First Nations territory. The KZA First Nations are part of the Algonquin Nation and the KZA territory is situated within the Outaouais and Laurentides regions.​ Located 180 kilometres northwest of Montreal, the property consists of 1 large, continuous block with 48 minerals claims totaling 2,867 hectares (28.7km²). Lomiko Metals published a Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”) on September 10, 2021 which indicated the project had a 15-year mine life producing per year 100,000 tonnes of the graphite concentrate at 95%Cg or a total of 1.5Mt of the graphite concentrate. This report was prepared as National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report for Lomiko Metals Inc. by Ausenco Engineering Canada Inc., Hemmera Envirochem Inc., Moose Mountain Technical Services, and Metpro Management Inc., collectively the Report Authors. The Bourier project site is located near Nemaska Lithium and Critical Elements south-east of the Eeyou Istchee James Bay territory in Quebec which consists of 203 claims, for a total ground position of 10,252.20 hectares (102.52 km2), in Canada’s lithium triangle near the James Bay region of Quebec that has historically housed lithium deposits and mineralization trends.

With all the news of the Russia-Ukraine crisis, many investors may not be aware of what’s been happening with critical materials. For example, lithium prices are up almost 10 times over the past 14 months from US$7,000/t to today’s US$67,424/t (CNY 426,500/t). Graphite prices look set to gain next in 2022. This is because electric vehicle (EV) batteries use a lot of lithium and graphite, and EV sales are booming, having risen by 108% in 2021, to reach 6.75 million vehicles. Given the popularity of EVs, I am expecting sales to exceed 10 million units in 2022, which means battery manufacturers will need a lot more lithium, graphite and other key metals.

BMI forecasts graphite deficits to begin from 2022 as demand for graphite grows strongly

Source: Lomiko company presentation

Today’s company is a junior miner with a focus on developing both its graphite project and its earn-in lithium project. The Company is Lomiko Metals Inc. (TSXV: LMR | OTCQB: LMRMF) (Lomiko).

Lomiko has two projects in Canada:

• La Loutre Project (flagship) (100% interest) – A development stage graphite project in southern Quebec.
• Bourier Project (70% earn in interest) – An exploration stage lithium project with multiple visible pegmatites in James Bay, Quebec Canada.

La Loutre Project (100% interest)

The La Loutre Project is spread over 2,867 ha and located 45 km by road from the city of Mont-Tremblant, in the Laurentides administrative region, Quebec, Canada. The Project has access to power, infrastructure & labor and is 192 km by highway to the Port of Montreal.

The Resource has an Indicated contained graphite of 1.044Mt @ 4.51% graphite and an Inferred contained graphite of 1.877Mt @ 4.01% graphite, based on a cut-off grade of 1.5% graphite.

The company’s PEA indicated an after-tax NPV8% of C$185.6 million, after-tax IRR of 21.5%, with a 15 year mine life producing about 100,000 tons/pa, based on a graphite price of US$916/t graphite (Cg). The initial CapEx was estimated at C$236.1 million, including mine pre-production, processing, infrastructure (roads, power line construction, co-disposal tailings facility, ancillary buildings, and water management). The OpEx was estimated at a cash cost of US$386 per tonne of graphite concentrate or a AISC of US$406/t graphite.

The key to note is that if we get higher graphite prices then the NPV will improve very significantly. For example, based on Lomiko’s sensitivity analysis the Project NPV would rise to C$601 million if graphite prices rose to $1,681/t.

La Loutre PEA highlights and location map

Source: Lomiko company presentation

The next steps for the Project include completing 4 full seasons of Environmental Baseline studies by the end of 2022, an updated Mineral Resource NI 43-101 Technical Report by October 2022, initiating and completing metallurgical studies to determine a processing method and product quality system, completing value-added testing for spherical graphite and battery compatibility.

Following the above would be the regular next steps of further feasibility studies (PFS, BFS), potential off-take agreements and project funding. So there is still quite a long way to go for the La Loutre Project, but at least it’s off to a solid start and the Project is in Canada.

The Bourier Project (potential to earn in up to 70%)

The Bourier Project is potentially a new lithium field in an established lithium district. It is owned by Critical Elements Lithium Corporation (TSXV: CRE | OTCQX: CRECF), which has entered into an agreement with Lomiko Metals whereby Lomiko may acquire up to 70% of the property by funding exploration activities and other considerations.

The Project consists of 10,252 hectares (102.52 km2) located on the Nemiscau greenstone belt and is south-east of the Istchee region in James Bay, Quebec, Canada. 

The Project is still at a very early stage of exploration; however, GoldSpot’s AI analysis has revealed considerable lithium potential. Lomiko states: “A total of 99 pegmatite bodies were added to the current geological map, highlighting previously unknown potential for economic lithium mineralization.”

The next steps include surface sampling of the initial 15 targets then a drilling campaign on key identified target areas.

The Bourier Project with an initial 15 exploration targets

Source: Lomiko company presentation

Closing remarks

This decade there is no getting away from the fact that the world will need a huge amount more of the key EV metals. Even last week the Pentagon announced a plan to boost rare earths and lithium stockpiles. The current Russia-Ukraine crisis volatility is resulting in lower stock prices for many EV metal companies which is opening up a great potential buying opportunity for long term investors.

Lomiko offers exposure to two Canadian Projects – The La Loutre Project with a good sized and reasonable grade graphite resource and a solid PEA, and the Bourier Project which has promising early-stage lithium exploration potential.

Lomiko Metals trades on a market cap of only C$19 million, which must be the best opportunity valued graphite-lithium junior in town. One to watch in 2022.