US EV Battery Supply Chain: Talon and Fleet Space to Pilot Satellite-Enabled Mineral Exploration Technology in the U.S.

Fleet's new "earth scanning" technology can increase drilling accuracy and decrease land disturbance in exploration for high-grade nickel deposits vital to the U.S. energy transition

Talon Metals Corp. (TSX: TLO) (OTC Pink: TLOFF) ("Talon" or the "Company") and Fleet Space Technologies ("Fleet") have agreed to pilot Fleet's ExoSphere rapid mineral exploration solution at Talon's exploration projects in Minnesota and Michigan. Talon is exploring for high-grade nickel deposits in the United States to supply the domestic battery supply chain with nickel and other battery materials required in the energy transition.

"We are excited to work with Fleet to pilot their impressive advanced seismic tomography approach to mineral discovery and pair it with our in-house exploration teams' unique approach to finding more high-grade nickel in the United States," said Henri von Rooyen, CEO of Talon. He continued "Fleet's technology has the potential to deliver two tantalizing results for geologists like our team of proven "nickel hunters": speed and accuracy. Increased accuracy means less disturbance of the earth as compared to conventional exploration practices. Speed means a faster path to discovering the metallic minerals like nickel that society needs for the energy transition."

Fleet's ExoSphere technology scans the ground using an advanced seismic tomography technique, called Ambient Noise Tomography (ANT), where highly transportable 'Geode' devices listen to faint background vibrations from natural and man-made sources. The data is then processed rapidly and transmitted from anywhere in the world through Fleet's constellation of low earth orbit satellites, recently launched by SpaceX.

"Our satellite enabled earth sub-scanning technology will play a vital role in securing the U.S. mineral supply chain quickly, sustainably and less expensively. Fleet is excited to be working with Talon to pilot our ground-breaking exploration technology in North America," said Matt Pearson, Chief Exploration Officer & Co-Founder, Fleet Space Technologies. "With Fleet's ExoSphere technology, we are able to easily scan the earth in 3D, faster and with less environmental impact than ever before possible. This cleaner, faster and more flexible approach to exploration answers the urgent global need to find the minerals and metals required in the energy transition. ExoSphere is supporting the world's transition to more sustainable practices by speeding up vital mineral discoveries more than one hundred-fold."

About Fleet's ExoSphere Technology:

  •  Fleet's rapid exploration solution (ExoSphere) enhances drill program accuracy by scanning a target area with advanced, low-impact ground sensors (Geodes) connected through Fleet's low-power satellite network.
  • Fleet's Geodes are up to 10x more sensitive than existing nodal geophones, which increases accuracy and depth of results.
  • Fleet's Geodes are hand transportable by small teams at surface, are battery powered and can be moved as data is received and new targets are identified.
  • Each wireless, battery-operated Geode contains a sophisticated processing unit, satellite transmitter and seismic sensor. The Geodes use the principles of seismology to map the properties of the Earth's subsurface from faint background seismic waves - a process known as Ambient Noise Tomography (ANT).
  • Once sufficient ANT data is gathered, Geodes partially process the raw information on site, reducing the data requirement for transmission.
  • The data from each Geode is rapidly processed and can deliver a full 3D visualisation of the subsurface down to 2 km depth. A clear, rich image of what resources may be below ground can be generated in as little as four days.
  • Using a bespoke Fleet-developed system, these visualisations are accessible to view and export anywhere on earth in near real-time. The speed of this imaging now means that thousands of square kilometres of area can be imaged in a fraction of the time of traditional ground-based methods that would currently require drilling rigs to be moved into place.

The data collected from the in-field Geodes is securely pushed to Fleet's network of low-power small satellites. The satellites then send the data to ground stations to process data using Fleet's proprietary processing systems delivering a 3D visualisation of the area to support critical exploration decisions. This in turn allows teams of geologists like Talon's team of in-house "nickel hunters" to make informed decisions on areas of interest much faster than traditional methods.

Please find link for supporting images here

ABOUT FLEET SPACE TECHNOLOGIES

Fleet Space Technologies is Australia's leading space company. It is headquartered in Adelaide, South Australia, the centre of the country's rapidly growing space industry. Fleet also has a global presence including a team based in the US. Fleet is rapidly expanding its satellite constellation to provide unlimited data and global reach to realise the potential of millions of Internet of Things (IoT) devices. This is informed by a vision that will see Fleet deliver connectivity on the Earth, Moon and Mars in collaboration with the world's leading space agencies and innovative companies. Customers around the world and in a multitude of sectors already trust Fleet to meet their challenges by harnessing the power of global connectivity and the most innovative technologies.

For additional information on Fleet Space Technologies, please visit the company's website at www.fleet.space or contact:

Media Contact:

Katie Miller
+61 (0) 434 156 155
media@fleet.space

James Warren
+44 (0) 792 192 7161
james.warren@fleet.space

ABOUT TALON

Talon is a TSX-listed base metals company in a joint venture with Rio Tinto on the high-grade Tamarack Nickel-Copper-Cobalt Project located in central Minnesota. Talon's shares are also traded in the US over the OTC market under the symbol TLOFF. The Tamarack Nickel Project comprises a large land position (18km of strike length) with high-grade intercepts outside the current resource area. Talon has an earn-in right to acquire up to 60% of the Tamarack Nickel Project, and currently owns 51%. Talon is focused on (i) expanding and infilling its current high-grade nickel mineralization resource prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 to shape a mine plan for submission to Minnesota regulators and (ii) following up on additional high-grade nickel mineralization in the Tamarack Intrusive Complex. Talon has an agreement with Tesla Inc. to supply it with 75,000 metric tonnes (165 million lbs) of nickel in concentrate (and certain by-products, including cobalt and iron) from the Tamarack Nickel Project over an estimated six-year period once commercial production is achieved. Talon has well-qualified experienced exploration, mine development, external affairs and mine permitting teams.

For additional information on Talon, please visit the Company's website at www.talonmetals.com or contact:

Media Contact: 

Todd Malan
1 (202) 714-8187 
malan@talonmetals.com 

Investor Contact:

Sean Werger
1 (416) 361-9636 x102
werger@talonmetals.com

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements". All statements, other than statements of historical fact that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. Such forward-looking statements include statements relating to the timing and results of the Fleet pilot by the Company, including the discovery of new nickel mineralization. Forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements, and even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on the Company.

Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/138428

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Nickel bars in front of a world map.

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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.

News Provided by GlobeNewswire via QuoteMedia

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Nickel Outlook: World Edition

Nickel Outlook: World Edition

Nickel Outlook: World Edition

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First Atlantic Nickel Extends Strike Length of RPM Zone Discovery by 400 Meters, Intersecting .23% Nickel Over 396 Meters in Fourth Drill Hole

First Atlantic Nickel Corp. (TSXV: FAN) (OTCQB: FANCF) (FSE: P21) ("First Atlantic" or the "Company") is excited to report assay results from drill hole AN-24-05, the fourth and final hole of the Phase 1 drilling program at the RPM Zone, located within its 100%-owned Atlantic Nickel Project in central Newfoundland. This hole, positioned as a 400-meter step-out to the north of the initial discovery hole (AN-24-02), intersected 396 meters grading 0.23% nickel and 0.29% chromium, starting after 6 meters of overburden and continuing to the end of the hole. These results confirm an initial 400-meter north-south mineralized strike length of near surface mineralization.

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