First Phosphate Signs Agreement for a $16.7 Million Non-Repayable Contribution with the Government of Canada
First Phosphate Corp. (CSE: PHOS) (OTCQX: FRSPF) (OTCQX ADR: FPHOY) (FSE: KD0) is pleased to announce that it has finalized an agreement, on March 4, 2026, for a $16.7 million non-repayable contribution from the Government of Canada through Natural Resources Canada Global Partnerships Initiative.
This contribution funding will accelerate the development of the phosphate project in Bégin-Lamarche by developing the technical and engineering parameters – including processing circuits and equipment – needed to validate the ability to produce a phosphate concentrate that meets the quality requirements of the lithium iron phosphate battery market. The work will be conducted based on the parameters established under the contract between First Phosphate and its definitive offtaker.
“Canada and our partners are putting real capital behind the secure and resilient critical mineral supply chains that our economies and defence industries rely on,” said The Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources. “By supporting companies like First Phosphate, we are helping deliver the minerals the world needs and the prosperity and security Canadians deserve.”
“We welcome this investment from the Government of Canada which supports the continued progress of our project and its strategic role in the LFP battery supply chain,” said John Passalacqua, CEO of First Phosphate. “Together, we are taking another step toward establishing an integrated phosphate-based LFP battery supply chain in Canada.”
The Bégin-Lamarche demonstration and feasibility project will help strengthen Canada’s strategic positioning within the LFP battery value chain through the development of domestic capacity to process apatite (phosphate concentrate) into high-purity phosphoric acid (“PPA”) for battery applications.
The project will develop a scalable Canadian process for the production of battery-grade phosphate concentrate, reducing dependence on foreign supply chains.
The project will generate significant economic benefits, including the creation of approximately 277 skilled jobs and the potential establishment of a Canadian phosphoric acid facility supported by local commercial production of phosphate concentrate.
The financial contribution is granted for the completion of a feasibility study of the Company’s integrated Bégin-Lamarche phosphate mine and processing project in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean and covers eligible activities planned through 2028, in accordance with the terms of the agreement.
Qualified Person
The scientific and technical disclosure for First Phosphate included in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Gilles Laverdière, P.Geo. Mr. Laverdière is Chief Geologist of First Phosphate and a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure of Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”).
About Natural Resources Canada
Natural Resources Canada is the federal department responsible for developing policies and programs to ensure the sustainable and responsible development of Canada’s natural resources. Through its initiatives and funding programs, including the Global Partnerships Initiative, NRCan supports projects that contribute to strengthening supply chains, industrial innovation, and Canada’s competitiveness in the critical and strategic minerals sectors.
About First Phosphate Corp
First Phosphate is a mineral exploration and development and clean technology company dedicated to building and reshoring a vertically integrated mine-to-market supply chain for the production of LFP batteries in North America. Target markets include energy storage, data centers, robotics, mobility, and national security.
First Phosphate’s flagship Bégin-Lamarche property, located in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Québec, Canada, represents a rare North American igneous phosphate resource producing high-purity phosphate characterized by very low levels of impurities.
