Graphite One's Graphite Creek Project: A Strategic Cornerstone of U.S. Critical Mineral Independence

The U.S. faces a stark reality: 90% of its graphite—vital for EV batteries, defense tech, and industrial applications—comes from foreign sources, primarily China. Graphite One's Graphite Creek Project in Alaska is poised to upend this reliance, leveraging a confluence of federal support, bipartisan legislation, and accelerated permitting to become the cornerstone of America's critical mineral renaissance. Here's why investors should act now.

The Regulatory Breakthrough: FAST-41 and the End of Red Tape

The FAST-41 permitting program is Graphite Creek's secret weapon. In March 2025, the U.S. Department of the Interior added the project to its high-priority list, unlocking a streamlined federal review process that slashes delays. Under FAST-41, Graphite One's permitting timeline is now transparently tracked on the Federal Permitting Dashboard, with deadlines enforced by the Department of the Interior. This means:- 100% reduction in regulatory uncertainty: FAST-41's public accountability framework eliminates the “wait-and-see” risks of traditional permitting.- 15-month accelerated feasibility study: Completed in April 2025, it tripled the project's graphite reserves to 71.22 million tonnes, with annual production capacity soaring to 175,000 tonnes per year (tpy)—enough to supply 25% of U.S. demand by 2030.

The Bipartisan Backing: A Bipartisan Critical Minerals Play

Graphite Creek isn't just an Alaska project—it's a national security imperative with bipartisan momentum:- Critical Materials Future Act: A Senate bill co-sponsored by Democrats and Republicans (Hickenlooper, Graham, Coons, Young) explicitly names Graphite Creek as a pilot project eligible for federal grants to reduce reliance on China's graphite dominance.- Defense Production Act (DPA) Funding: A $37.5M DPA grant fast-tracked the feasibility study, enabling Graphite One to boost its IRR to 27% and NPV to $5.03B (post-tax). The March 2025 Executive Order further expanded DPA authority, ensuring funding flows remain open.- Executive Orders: Trump's “Unleash Alaska” directive and Biden's Critical Minerals Strategy both prioritize domestic graphite production. Graphite Creek's High-Priority Infrastructure Project (HPIP) status ensures it stays on track for 2027 construction start.

Why Graphite Matters Now: EVs, Defense, and a $100B Supply Chain Play

Graphite isn't just a mineral—it's the backbone of the $100B EV battery market and a critical input for defense-grade components. Graphite Creek's vertically integrated model—mining in Alaska, refining in Ohio—creates a closed-loop supply chain that:- Eliminates geopolitical risks: 80% of graphite processing is in China; Graphite One's facilities will produce battery-grade spherical graphite domestically.- Leverages EXIM financing: A $325M EXIM loan guarantees funding for the Ohio anode plant, set to begin production by 2028, creating 1,500 jobs and a strategic advantage over competitors.

Catalysts to Watch: 2025-2026—the Year of Execution

• Q2 2025: Feasibility study finalized, unlocking $500M in Series A funding.
• Q4 2025: Permitting milestone achieved under FAST-41, with 100% of federal agencies on track.
• 2026: Construction begins, with first production by 2029.

Risks? Minimal. Returns? Massive.

• Regulatory risk: Mitigated by FAST-41's enforceable deadlines and HPIP status.
• Market risk: Global graphite demand is set to quadruple by 2030, with EV adoption driving a $30B annual market.
• Financial risk: The $6.4B pre-tax NPV and 7.3-year payback period leave little room for doubt.

Invest Now—Before the Rally

Graphite One's stock (ticker: GPHR) is primed for explosive growth. With bipartisan support, DPA funding, and a 175,000 tpy production target, this is the rare “buy the dip” opportunity in critical minerals. As the U.S. races to secure its supply chains, Graphite Creek isn't just a project—it's the foundation of American energy independence.

Act now. The U.S. can't afford to wait—and neither can you.