Lomiko Metals Inc. has initiated a comprehensive study to determine the optimal road access route from the highway to its La Loutre natural flake graphite project site in Quebec, Canada.

The road access study will be led by DRA Americas, a global engineering, project delivery, and operations management group with extensive experience in the mining sector, particularly in battery elements. DRA Americas is already at the helm of the Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) for La Loutre, ensuring seamless integration of findings and expertise. The study will leverage the support of numerous consulting groups based in Quebec, emphasizing a localized approach.

A key highlight of this initiative is Lomiko's proactive stance on community involvement. The Company intends to actively engage with local consultants and communities to gather and integrate feedback throughout the route selection process. This commitment to community feedback is a direct response to local concerns and ideas, particularly regarding the avoidance of traffic through the town of Lac des Plages.

Gordana Slepcev, CEO, President, and Director of Lomiko Metals, emphasized the importance of this new phase: "We are happy to continue with the pre-feasibility level of the engineering studies for the La Loutre natural flake graphite deposit and also start the critical process of investigating the best options to access the project site from the local highway. This scoping study will be conducted to determine the best way to access the project site and avoid traffic through the town of Lac des Plages, and represents a way that Lomiko is responding to community questions and ideas. We are pleased to work with local consulting groups to identify options and alternatives, evaluate impacts, and propose the best solutions for the local communities' and First Nations' input."

The La Loutre project is strategically located within the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg (KZA) First Nation's territory, part of the Algonquin Nation, situated within the Outaouais and Laurentides regions of Quebec. The Company has consistently expressed its vision to embrace Indigenous values and become a valued partner and neighbor in the communities where it operates. This road access study, with its strong emphasis on local and First Nations input, aligns directly with that vision.

Lomiko Metals has been steadily advancing the La Loutre project, which holds significant potential as a North American source of natural flake graphite, a critical mineral for the burgeoning electric vehicle (EV) battery market. Recent corporate updates have highlighted positive metallurgical test results and continued progress on various aspects of the PFS, including battery trials and exploration drilling. The company's efforts to secure diverse funding, including grants from the U.S. Department of Defense and Natural Resources Canada, further underscore the strategic importance of the La Loutre project in building a resilient critical minerals supply chain outside of China.

The commencement of the road access study marks a pivotal moment, addressing a practical aspect of project development while reinforcing Lomiko's dedication to responsible and community-centric mining practices. The Company has pledged to provide transparent, factual, and ongoing information on the studies to investors, First Nations, and community members as the1 project progresses.