Mason Graphite Announces Search for New CFO

MONTREAL, June 11, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mason Graphite Inc. ("Mason Graphite" or "the Company") (TSX.V: LLG; OTCQX: MGPHF) announces that a process has been initiated to identify and appoint a new Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

Luc Veilleux, CPA, CA, who has been dividing his time as CFO to both the Company and NanoXplore Inc. has now become CFO of NanoXplore on a full-time basis.  Pascale Choquet, CPA, CA, the Company’ s Director of Finance and Administration, since January 2018, now assumes the role of CFO on an interim basis until a permanent successor is appointed.  

In 2014, Mason Graphite purchased 40% of Group NanoXplore Inc. (now NanoXplore Inc.), and several ties were established between both parties, such as a graphite supply agreement, Benoît Gascon, CEO of Mason Graphite, being appointed Chairman of the Board of Group NanoXplore and Luc Veilleux, CFO, assuming the role of CFO for both companies. The Company current ownership of NanoXplore is 19%, making it the single largest shareholder. 

NanoXplore’s activities have been expanding rapidly, notably with the acquisition of Sigma Industries in 2018, and now employs nearly 400 people working at 8 different plants in North America and Europe and, more recently, with the announcement of a successful construction financing allowing it to build a facility of 10,000 t/year of graphene production, making NanoXplore a world leading graphene producer.

Hence, NanoXplore now requires its CFO’s undivided attention and Mr. Veilleux is no longer able to fully meet his responsibilities as Mason Graphite’s CFO. Luc Veilleux commented: “It has been a pleasure working with the team of Mason Graphite for the last 7 years and I am very confident in the future of the Company and of the Lac Guéret graphite Project. But the fact and the matter is, with NanoXplore’s expanded activities and its construction financing, I need to focus on that operation.”

Benoit Gascon added: “It has been a privilege to have Luc on board to share with us his expertise on these two projects at once. We are grateful for his dedication and wish him the best and every success with NanoXplore and we look forward to working with him as the close business relationship between Mason Graphite and NanoXplore continues.”

The firm Boyden, a premier leadership and talent advisory firm, has been appointed to support the Company in its process.

About Mason Graphite and the Lac Guéret Project

Mason Graphite is a Canadian mining, processing and natural graphite development company, which is in the process of establishing its graphite production facility in Baie-Comeau, Quebec. The Company is led by a highly experienced team that has over 70 years of experience in graphite production, sales, and research and development. For more information, visit www.masongraphite.com.

Mason Graphite Inc. On Behalf of the Board

“Benoît Gascon, CPA, CA”, President & Chief Executive Officer

For more Information:

Simon Marcotte, CFA, Director Corporate Development at +1 (647) 801-7273 and at info@masongraphite.com

For more information relating to local communities:

+1 (514) 289-3582 and at info@masongraphite.com

Head Office: 3030, boulevard Le Carrefour, bureau 600, Laval, Québec, H7T 2P5

Cautionary Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All information contained herein that is not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information. Generally, such forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: (i) volatile stock price; (ii) the general global markets and economic conditions; (iii) the possibility of write-downs and impairments; (iv) the risk associated with exploration, development and operations of mineral deposits; (v) the risk associated with establishing title to mineral properties and assets; (vi) the risks associated with entering into joint ventures; (vii) fluctuations in commodity prices; (viii) the risks associated with uninsurable risks arising during the course of exploration, development and production; (ix) competition faced by the resulting issuer in securing experienced personnel and financing; (x) access to adequate infrastructure to support mining, processing, development and exploration activities; (xi) the risks associated with changes in the mining regulatory regime governing the resulting issuer; (xii) the risks associated with the various environmental regulations the resulting issuer is subject to; (xiii) risks related to regulatory and permitting delays; (xiv) risks related to potential conflicts of interest; (xv) the reliance on key personnel; (xvi) liquidity risks; (xvii) the risk of potential dilution through the issue of common shares; (xviii) the Company does not anticipate declaring dividends in the near term; (xix) the risk of litigation; and (xx) risk management.

Forward-looking information is based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable at the time such statements are made, including but not limited to, continued exploration activities, no material adverse change in metal prices, exploration and development plans proceeding in accordance with plans and such plans achieving their stated expected outcomes, receipt of required regulatory approvals, and such other assumptions and factors as set out herein. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. Such forward-looking information has been provided for the purpose of assisting investors in understanding the Company's business, operations and exploration plans and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is made as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake to update such forward-looking information except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

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