Trump-Era Minerals Director Joins Firm to Break China's Grip

First Atlantic Nickel & Cobalt hired Gary Stanley, the former Director of the Office of Critical Minerals and Metals at the United States Department of Commerce, as Senior Strategic Advisor. Stanley, who served under President Donald Trump, will help advance the Pipestone XL Nickel-Cobalt Alloy Project. This project uses a smelter-free process to produce critical minerals on North American soil, cutting China out of the supply chain and boosting United States national security.

Securing American Supply Chains with Proven Leadership

Gary Stanley spent over 40 years at the Department of Commerce in Washington, D.C. He served under every President from Ronald Reagan to Joe Biden. President Donald J. Trump appointed him as the first-ever Director of the Office of Critical Minerals and Metals. Stanley wrote the June 2019 Federal Critical Mineral Strategy under President Trump. That strategy laid the groundwork to secure our supply chains and stop foreign reliance. He even helped create the United States-Canada Critical Minerals Working Group.

Now, Stanley is taking his expertise to the private sector to break China's stranglehold on our resources. First Atlantic Nickel & Cobalt (TSXV: FAN) (OTCQB: FANCF) made a power move by bringing Stanley on board to guide their Pipestone XL Nickel-Cobalt Alloy Project in Newfoundland. This project is a game changer for American independence and economic freedom.

How First Atlantic Bypasses Chinese Smelting

Right now, China controls the midstream smelting and processing of nickel and cobalt. That is a direct threat to our national and economic security. Stanley knows it, and First Atlantic knows it. It is time to rely on American ingenuity and our allies, not foreign adversaries.

First Atlantic is doing what the left said was impossible. They are pulling critical minerals out of the ground without the toxic smelting processes that China relies on. Their Pipestone XL project hosts awaruite, a naturally occurring, magnetic, sulfur-free nickel-iron-cobalt alloy. Because it already exists in a metallic state, it can be processed right at the mine site.

Using their ONSHORE MAX process, First Atlantic produced a high-grade alloy concentrate grading up to 71.9% nickel and 1.76% cobalt. Typical nickel concentrates only hit 10% to 15%. This is pure American efficiency. No smelting. No roasting. No high-pressure acid leaching. Just simple magnetic separation and flotation.

The global critical minerals sector is dominated by a single country that is a non-market economy, and processing awaruite onshore bypasses the midstream smelting and processing constraints concentrated in that country. Its control over the midstream smelting and processing of nickel and cobalt represents a single point of failure in the supply chain and, with it, a direct national and economic security risk.

Powering United States Defense and Manufacturing

This high-grade concentrate can move directly into our downstream manufacturing. It feeds our stainless steel, specialty alloy, and battery refining industries. It powers our electric vehicles, energy storage, and most importantly, our defense systems. The U.S. Geological Survey identified awaruite as a potential solution to nickel concentrate shortages back in 2012, noting the natural alloy is much easier to concentrate than typical nickel sulfide.

The absence of sulfur also removes the risk of acid mine drainage. This cuts through the red tape that usually chokes American mining projects. Strong bilateral cooperation between Canada and the United States is essential. We must work together to show the world that critical minerals can be extracted efficiently and responsibly, without bowing to China.

Key Highlights of the Appointment and Project

• Senior Strategic Advisor: Gary Stanley joins First Atlantic following a 40-year career at the United States Department of Commerce, where he received a 40-Year Distinguished Federal Service Award.
• Lead Author of Trump-Era Strategy: Stanley was the lead coordinating author of the June 2019 Federal Critical Mineral Strategy, prepared in response to Executive Order 13817.
• High-Grade Alloy Concentrate: First Atlantic's ONSHORE MAX process produced concentrate grading up to 71.9% nickel and 1.76% cobalt, vastly outperforming typical 10% to 15% nickel concentrates.
• Smelter-Free Supply Chain: The high-grade concentrate could anchor a vertically integrated North American supply chain, enabling direct refining of battery-grade nickel sulphate defined under Section 45X of the U.S. Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit.

Who is Gary Stanley?

Gary Stanley is the former Director of the Office of Critical Minerals and Metals at the United States Department of Commerce. He served under President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden. Stanley was the lead coordinating author of the June 2019 Federal Critical Mineral Strategy and currently serves as President and Managing Director of Global Mineral Strategies, LLC.

What is Awaruite?

Awaruite is a naturally occurring, sulfur-free nickel-iron-cobalt alloy. It can be processed into a high-grade concentrate of approximately 60% nickel through magnetic separation and flotation, completely bypassing the need for smelting, roasting, or high-pressure acid leaching.

Why is the Pipestone XL Project Important for US Security?

The Pipestone XL Nickel-Cobalt Alloy Project produces critical minerals onshore in North America. This bypasses China's control over midstream smelting, eliminates a single point of failure in the supply chain, and secures the resources necessary for United States defense systems and advanced manufacturing.