Horizonte Minerals PLC Announces Final Results for the Year Ended 31 December 2021

Horizonte Minerals Plc, (AIM:HZM)(TSX:HZM) the nickel development company focused in Brazil, announces its final results for the year ended 31 December 2021 ('FY21' or the 'Period

Highlights for the Period

  • Completion of US$633 million funding package for the development of the Araguaia ferronickel project ("Araguaia").
  • US$25 million royalty agreement signed with Orion Resources Partners to progress development of the Vermelho nickel-cobalt project ("Vermelho") through feasibility study and permitting.
  • 100%, 10-year Araguaia offtake agreement based on LME pricing signed with Glencore.
  • Strengthened cash balance of £156 million following equity fundraises in February and December 2021.
  • Appointment of Michael Drake as Head of Projects and Leo Vianna as Araguaia Project Director.
  • Mobilisation of Araguaia Lead Team in Brazil and successful recruitment of 85 person, predominantly Brazilian, Araguaia project team.
  • Completion of Operational Readiness plan with key permits secured ahead of commencement of construction.
  • Award of power line licence to cover the full power requirement of the Araguaia project at nameplate capacity.
  • Extensive competitive tendering process undertaken across the key Araguaia equipment packages with tier one vendors in preparation for contract awards in H1 2022.
  • Key environmental and social programmes undertaken in preparation for construction phase of Araguaia including resettlement action plan, social communication programme, safety improvements for school communities located along the PA-449 highway, and the Local Development Agenda programme.
  • Acquisition of new and unused ferronickel processing equipment from Companhia Brasileira de Alumínio that is expected to provide meaningful synergies in relation to the development of Araguaia, including the potential to fast-track and lower the cost of development of a second RKEF line.
  • Continued progress at Vermelho with Ramboll awarded Environmental and Social Impact Assessment contract.
  • Support provided to Conceição do Araguaia's ongoing Covid-19 vaccination effort through the donation 10,000 medical items to the regional hospital.

Post Period End Operational Update

Following completion of the funding package and a positive construction decision for Araguaia, activity in Q1 2022 has been to advance engineering, place orders for long lead equipment and Engineering Procurement and Construction Management ("EPCM") services and to commence early works at the project site.

Engineering progress completed to date includes basic engineering consolidation, geotechnical surveys, support for bidding processes and detailed engineering with a focus on finalising the plant arrangement, earthworks design, overland powerline and access roads.

The furnace supply contract was awarded to Hatch Ltd. in February 2022 (see announcement dated 25 February 2022), which encompasses the supply of a circular electric arc furnace rated at 60 megawatt, a calcine transfer system to feed the furnace with 835,000 tonnes per annum of calcine and additional services on installation and commissioning. The EPCM contract was awarded to Pöyry Tecnologia Ltda ("Pöyry"), the Brazilian subsidiary of global engineering services firm AFRY earlier this week (see announcement dated 22 March 2022). Contracts were also awarded to contractors for access road upgrades, aggregate supply, and construction of temporary facilities such as offices, as well as initial site infrastructure such as telecommunications and fencing. Water wells are also being installed in accordance with construction permits and licenses.

Contractors are being mobilised in accordance with Horizonte's health and safety standards, which have achieved 500,000 manhours without a Lost Time Injury ("LTI)" to date. This was achieved through the deployment of the Company's new health and safety training programme, comprehensive induction programme and the increase in health and safety reporting overseen by the Company's newly appointed Health and Safety Manger, Eduardo Paiva.

New environmental programmes are being implemented in accordance with the construction phase of Araguaia including installation of automatic monitoring systems and implementation of the biodiversity action plan.

Horizonte CEO, Jeremy Martin commented: "The extensive technical and financial work that concluded in the successful completion of the US$633 million project funding package for Araguaia was transformational for Horizonte. It was a culmination of two years of dedication and hard work by the Horizonte team and all our advisors. During this time, we have established the foundations to build a significant low-cost, sustainable nickel business which is now fully funded to take our first tier one nickel project into production.

The preparatory work undertaken alongside the project financing process has enabled us to make good progress during Q1 in the 24-month construction phase of Araguaia. Our focus during this quarter has been on detailed engineering, procurement, and early works ahead of earthworks commencing in Q2. We have already awarded equipment and services contracts valued at approximately US$150 million including the furnace and EPCM contracts. Our owner's team is split across the engineering office in Belo Horizonte and the site office in Conceição do Araguaia, and are managing key contractors working on access road upgrades, essential site facilities and environmental programmes. We were also very pleased to reach an important milestone of 500,000-man hours without a lost time injury during the quarter. Our focus on health and safety continues as activity on site increases.

Whilst the nickel market currently faces unprecedented volatility with pricing, the consensus remains for continued exponential growth in demand, both from the established stainless steel market and the accelerating battery market. With very few new nickel projects in the global pipeline able to reach production in the short-to-mid-term, Horizonte is uniquely placed to supply into this deficit with Araguaia scheduled to start ramp up in early 2024."

For further information, visit www.horizonteminerals.com or contact:

Horizonte Minerals plc
Jeremy Martin (CEO)
Anna Legge (Corporate Communications)

info@horizonteminerals.com
+44 (0) 203 356 2901

Peel Hunt LLP (Nominated Adviser & Joint Broker)
Ross Allister
David McKeown

+44 (0)20 7418 8900

BMO (Joint Broker)
Thomas Rider
Pascal Lussier Duquette
Andrew Cameron

+44 (0) 20 7236 1010

About Horizonte Minerals:
Horizonte Minerals plc (AIM & TSX: HZM) is developing two 100% owned, tier one projects in Parà state, Brazil - the Araguaia Nickel Project and the Vermelho Nickel-Cobalt Project. Both projects are large scale, high-grade, low-cost, low-carbon and scalable. Araguaia is fully funded and in construction. The project will produce 29,000 tonnes of nickel per year to supply the stainless steel market. Vermelho is at feasibility study stage and will produce 25,000 tonnes of nickel and 1,250 tonnes of cobalt to supply the EV battery market. Horizonte's combined near-term production profile of over 50,000 tonnes of nickel per year positions the Company as a globally significant nickel producer. Horizonte is developing a new nickel district in Brazil that will benefit from established infrastructure, including hydroelectric power available in the Carajás Mining District.

Please click on or paste the link below to view the full announcement.

https://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/1561G_1-2022-3-27.pdf

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

SOURCE: Horizonte Minerals PLC



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First Atlantic Nickel to Attend Benchmark Mineral Intelligence's GIGA USA 2025 Conference, Highlighting Atlantic Nickel Project's Smelter-Free Processing for North America's Critical Minerals Supply Chain

First Atlantic Nickel Corp. (TSXV: FAN) (OTCQB: FANCF) (FSE: P21) ("First Atlantic" or the "Company") is pleased to announce its participation at the Benchmark Mineral Intelligence GIGA USA 2025 conference, taking place June 3-4, 2025, in Washington, DC. The Company will participate in strategic meetings during this critical mineral conference to demonstrate how its Atlantic Nickel Project addresses the growing need for nickel mining that can be completely processed in North America. The Atlantic Nickel Project contains nickel in the form of awaruite, a naturally occurring, sulfur-free, highly magnetic mineral with approximately 75% nickel content. These unique properties enable direct processing through magnetic separation and flotation, eliminating reliance on foreign overseas smelting or roasting operations. This simplified mineral processing method significantly lowers energy requirements and reduces environmental impacts, strengthening the development of a resilient, domestic critical minerals supply chain.

The GIGA USA conference brings together key players from across the critical minerals sector for two days of networking, dealmaking, and policy discussions. Attendees include major automakers such as Tesla, Ford, General Motors, Rivian, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen; battery manufacturers like LG Energy Solutions, Samsung SDI, and Panasonic Energy; and global mining companies including Rio Tinto, Vale, Glencore, South32, and Anglo American. Government representatives from the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of State, the Government of Quebec, the Embassy of Canada, and the Delegation of the European Union will also attend. Conference topics will address the expansion of the United States' lithium-ion battery gigafactory industry and the need to establish secure, sustainable supply chains for critical raw materials, including lithium, nickel, graphite, cobalt, manganese and rare earth elements.

The conference addresses key areas of focus including strengthening the U.S. critical minerals supply chain through domestic production and expanded gigafactory capacity, examining policy and trade impacts, such as the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and enhancing national security through critical mineral independence. The conference will also focus on investment and financing opportunities for next-generation mining projects, innovations in battery technology and sustainability, and the importance of global collaboration and strategic partnerships.

The Company's Atlantic Nickel Project offers a secure and reliable solution for domestic nickel production. By leveraging awaruite's sulfur-free composition, high nickel content and magnetic properties, the project enables simple processing through magnetic separation and flotation without the need for secondary processing such as smelting or roasting. Unlike traditional nickel sulfide and laterite projects that undergo energy-intensive processes creating harmful waste and emissions, awaruite's metallurgical properties enable complete domestic nickel production while eliminating reliance on overseas processing. The lower energy requirements and sulfur-free nature of awaruite result in a reduced carbon and environmental footprint. The Company remains committed to strengthening North American critical minerals supply chains, with the Atlantic Nickel Project positioned to provide a secure, reliable nickel source for North American industries including electric vehicles, batteries, defense, and stainless steel manufacturing.

Conference Meeting Requests

First Atlantic welcomes the opportunity to meet with strategic partners, shareholders and investors during the GIGA USA 2025 conference. Interested parties are encouraged to contact Rob Guzman at rob@fanickel.com or by phone at 844-592-6337 to arrange meetings. The conference takes place June 3-4, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Phase 2 Drilling Update

The Phase 2 drilling program is currently underway and successfully expanding the awaruite mineralization identified in multiple drill holes during the Phase 1 campaign. Technical improvements, including optimized HQ/NQ drill configurations and enhanced drill bit selection, have enabled the current program to reach greater depths than previously achieved. The Company anticipated providing updates on the Phase 2 drill holes in the coming weeks.

For further information, questions, or investor inquiries, please contact Rob Guzman at First Atlantic Nickel by phone at +1-844-592-6337 or via email at rob@fanickel.com

Corporate Update

The Company also announces that on May 21, 2025 it closed the definitive agreement dated May 6, 2025 (the "Purchase Agreement") to acquire a 100% interest in eight mineral licenses totaling approximately 3,350 hectares. These licenses are strategically located around the Company's Atlantic Nickel Project in central Newfoundland, in the Cold Spring Pod and Coy Pond areas. Under the terms of the Purchase Agreement, the Company has issued 1,000,000 Shares at a deemed price of $0.205 per Share. These Shares are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day, in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. And further to its May 6, 2025 news release, it closed the previously announced settlement agreement (the "Settlement Agreement") on May 22, 2025, to settle outstanding obligations totaling $202,950 owed to an arm's length creditor (the "Creditor") related to accounting services provided under a consulting agreement dating back to 2017. Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, the Company has issued an aggregate of 312,500 common shares (each, a "Share") at a deemed price of $0.32 per Share. These Shares will be released in three equal tranches over a 12-month period and are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day, in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws.

Awaruite (Nickel-iron alloy Ni₂Fe, Ni₃Fe)

Awaruite, a naturally occurring sulfur-free nickel-iron alloy composed of Ni₃Fe or Ni₂Fe with approximately ~75% nickel content, offers a proven and environmentally safe solution to enhance the resilience and security of North America's domestic critical minerals supply chain. Unlike conventional nickel sources, awaruite can be processed into high-grade concentrates exceeding 60% nickel content through magnetic processing and simple floatation without the need for smelting, roasting, or high-pressure acid leaching 1 . Beginning in 2025, the US Inflation Reduction Act's (IRA) $7,500 electric vehicle (EV) tax credit mandates that eligible clean vehicles must not contain any critical minerals processed by foreign entities of concern (FEOC) 2 . These entities include Russia and China, which currently dominate the global nickel smelting industry. Awaruite's smelter-free processing approach could potentially help North American electric vehicle manufacturers meet the IRA's stringent critical mineral requirements and reduce dependence on FEOCs for nickel processing.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) highlighted awaruite's potential, stating, "The development of awaruite deposits in other parts of Canada may help alleviate any prolonged shortage of nickel concentrate. Awaruite, a natural iron-nickel alloy, is much easier to concentrate than pentlandite, the principal sulfide of nickel." 3 Awaruite's unique properties enable cleaner and safer processing compared to conventional sulfide and laterite nickel sources, which often involve smelting, roasting, or high-pressure acid leaching that can release toxic sulfur dioxide, generate hazardous waste, and lead to acid mine drainage. Awaruite's simpler processing, facilitated by its amenability to magnetic processing and lack of sulfur, eliminates these harmful methods, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and risks associated with toxic chemical release, addressing concerns about the large carbon footprint and toxic emissions linked to nickel refining.

First Atlantic Nickel Corp.

Figure 1: Quote from USGS on Awaruite Deposits in Canada

The development of awaruite resources is crucial, given China's control in the global nickel market. Chinese companies refine and smelt 68% to 80% of the world's nickel 4 and control an estimated 84% of Indonesia's nickel output, the largest worldwide supply 5 . Awaruite is a cleaner source of nickel that reduces dependence on foreign processing controlled by China, leading to a more secure and reliable supply for North America's stainless steel and electric vehicle industries.

Investor Information

The Company's common shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol " FAN ", the American OTCQB Exchange under the symbol " FANCF " and on several German exchanges, including Frankfurt and Tradegate, under the symbol " P21 ".

Investors can get updates about First Atlantic by signing up to receive news via email and SMS text at www.fanickel.com . Stay connected and learn more by following us on these social media platforms:

https://x.com/FirstAtlanticNi

https://www.facebook.com/fanickelcorp

https://www.linkedin.com/company/firstatlanticnickel/

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
First Atlantic Investor Relations
Robert Guzman
Tel: +1 844 592 6337
rob@fanickel.com

Disclosure

Adrian Smith, P.Geo., a director and the Chief Executive Officer of the Company is a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101. The qualified person is a member in good standing of the Professional Engineers and Geoscientists Newfoundland and Labrador (PEGNL) and is a registered professional geoscientist (P.Geo.). Mr. Smith has reviewed and approved the technical information disclosed herein.

About First Atlantic Nickel Corp.

First Atlantic Nickel Corp. (TSXV: FAN) (OTCQB: FANCF) (FSE: P21) is a Canadian mineral exploration company developing the 100%-owned Atlantic Nickel Project, a large-scale nickel project strategically located near existing infrastructure in Newfoundland, Canada. The Project's nickel occurs as awaruite, a natural nickel-iron alloy containing approximately 75% nickel with no-sulfur and no-sulfides. Awaruite's properties allow for smelter-free magnetic separation and concentration, which could strengthen North America's critical minerals supply chain by reducing foreign dependence on nickel smelting. This aligns with new US Electric Vehicle US IRA requirements, which stipulate that beginning in 2025, an eligible clean vehicle may not contain any critical minerals processed by a FEOC (Foreign Entities Of Concern) 6 .

First Atlantic aims to be a key input of a secure and reliable North American critical minerals supply chain for the stainless steel and electric vehicle industries in the USA and Canada. The company is positioned to meet the growing demand for responsibly sourced nickel that complies with the critical mineral requirements for eligible clean vehicles under the US IRA. With its commitment to responsible practices and experienced team, First Atlantic is poised to contribute significantly to the nickel industry's future, supporting the transition to a cleaner energy landscape. This mission gained importance when the US added nickel to its critical minerals list in 2022, recognizing it as a non-fuel mineral essential to economic and national security with a supply chain vulnerable to disruption.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-looking statements:

This news release may include "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Such forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and are based on a number of estimates and/or assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information.

Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to: statements regarding: the timing, scope and results of the Company's Phase 1 and Phase 2 work and drilling programs; future project developments; the Company's objectives, goals, and future plans; statements and estimates of market conditions; the viability of magnetic separation as a low-impact processing method for awaruite; the strategic and economic implications of the Company's projects   ; and expectations regarding future developments and strategic plans;   Readers are cautioned that such forward-looking information are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, uncertain and volatile equity and capital markets, lack of available capital, actual results of exploration activities, environmental risks, future prices of base and other metals, operating risks, accidents, labour issues, delays in obtaining governmental approvals and permits, and other risks in the mining and clean energy industries. Additional factors and risks including various risk factors discussed in the Company's disclosure documents which can be found under the Company's profile on http://www.sedarplus.ca. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected.

The Company is presently an exploration stage company. Exploration is highly speculative in nature, involves many risks, requires substantial expenditures, and may not result in the discovery of mineral deposits that can be mined profitably. Furthermore, the Company currently has no mineral reserves on any of its properties. As a result, there can be no assurance that such forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information, except as required by applicable securities laws.

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