ARIANNE PHOSPHATE RECEIVES FINAL APPROVAL FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA

Arianne Phosphate announced on January 7, 2026, that it received final approval for $735,000 CAD in contribution funding from Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCan) Critical Minerals Research, Development and Demonstration (CMRDD) program. This funding is specifically earmarked for the Lac à Paul project to optimize the production process of purified phosphoric acid (PPA). PPA is a critical component for Lithium-Iron-Phosphate (LFP) batteries. This announcement follows a conditional approval previously reported in October 2025.

The impact of this news is incrementally positive but not a fundamental "game changer" for the company's financial health. - Liquidity Injection: While $735k is small in the context of a $100M+ project development budget, it represents approximately 27% of the company's reported cash balance as of September 30, 2025 ($2.73M). This non-dilutive capital is essential for continuing R&D without further share issuance. - Strategic Validation: The final approval confirms that the Canadian federal government views Lac à Paul as a priority within the Critical Minerals strategy. This "seal of approval" is vital for attracting larger strategic partners needed for full project financing. - Expectation Management: This news was largely priced in, as the company had announced conditional approval months prior. It represents the execution of a milestone rather than a new discovery.

Arianne Phosphate is developing the Lac à Paul project in Quebec, Canada. It is described as the world’s largest greenfield phosphate deposit of its type (igneous). - Advantage: Igneous phosphate allows for a high-purity concentrate (39% P2O5) with low contaminants, making it easier to convert into PPA for the LFP battery market. - Status: The project is fully permitted and "shovel-ready," with a Feasibility Study originally completed in 2013 and a PPA Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) completed in June 2024.