100% drilling success yields high-grade graphite intercepts in maiden program

Atlas Critical Minerals Corp. (NASDAQ: ATCX) has announced the initial assay results from its maiden diamond drilling program at the Graphite Project in Minas Gerais, Brazil. All 20 drill holes completed intersected graphite mineralization within the first of the project's three mineral tenements.

The drilling program, totaling approximately 2,300 meters, achieved a 100% success rate in graphite intercepts. Independent laboratory assays by SGS Geosol confirmed several high-grade graphitic carbon (Cg) intervals. Notable results include 33.78 meters grading 7.97% Cg in drill hole MPDDH-0009, 22.66 meters grading 8.27% Cg in MPDDH-0007, and 11.00 meters grading 8.03% Cg in MPDDH-0002. Additional intervals include 6.00 meters grading 9.55% Cg and 19.36 meters grading 6.09% Cg in MPDDH-0006.

The 2026 diamond drilling program was informed by geological mapping, grab sampling, and a ground geophysical survey. The complete program spans approximately 6,000 meters across the project's three tenements. Atlas conducted 27.5 kilometers of ground geophysical data acquisition, identifying anomalies along an 11-kilometer strike length.

Exploration activities adhere to Item 1300 of Regulation S-K, with technical oversight by Marc-Antoine Laporte of SGS Canada Inc., the Qualified Person for graphite under the regulation. The project's Technical Report Summary includes initial metallurgical testwork at a specialized graphite laboratory in the United States, where samples met battery-grade and nuclear-grade standards.

Atlas Critical Minerals' Chairman and CEO, Marc Fogassa, stated, "These are outstanding initial drill results that validate our earlier exploration work. Every one of the first 20 holes intersected graphite, including a nearly 34-meter interval averaging close to 8% graphitic carbon."

A report from Metals & Mining, Non-Ferrous, highlighted a U.S. executive order targeting critical minerals, including graphite, to bolster domestic production and reduce reliance on foreign sources. China remains a dominant producer of critical minerals, including graphite.

Mordor Intelligence projects the global graphite market to grow from US$6.30 billion in 2026 to US$10.10 billion by 2031, driven by lithium-ion battery manufacturing and electric arc furnace steel production. New investments outside China are strengthening regional supply chains, with graphite consumption supported by the adoption of lithium iron phosphate batteries.

Market Research Future valued the global graphite market at US$8.4 billion in 2023, projecting growth to US$13.2 billion by 2033. Graphite remains the primary anode material in lithium-ion batteries and plays a crucial role in electric arc furnace steelmaking. China accounted for 77% of global graphite production in 2023, with export restrictions affecting several graphite products.