Atlas Critical Minerals Corp. (ATCX; NASDAQ) announced the acquisition of an additional mineral right that links its two existing graphite tenements in northeastern Minas Gerais, Brazil. According to the company, the three mineral rights now comprise its Graphite Project and total approximately 2,822 hectares, representing an increase of approximately 124% and establishing a continuous mineralized corridor exceeding 11 kilometers.
The company reported that systematic chip sampling yielded a peak of 19.4% graphitic carbon (Cgraph), exceeding its previous best of 15.4% Cgraph. Multiple additional samples across the three tenements returned grades of 15.49%, 15.41%, 13.82%, 13.22%, 12.23%, 11.68%, and 10.51% Cgraph.
Atlas Critical Minerals stated that preliminary resistivity surveys at Area 1 corroborate graphite mineralization at depth. The surveys identified low resistivity anomalies demonstrating lateral continuity of approximately 230 meters and extending to depths of up to approximately 215 meters.
The company also reported that graphite concentrate from the project was previously purified to 99.9995% carbon purity at an independent U.S. laboratory, which it said qualifies the material for nuclear reactor applications.
Marc Fogassa, Chairman and CEO of Atlas Critical Minerals, commented on the results in a company news release. He said, "The expansion of our 100%-owned Graphite Project, together with the exceptional exploration results reported to date, supports our view of the asset's quality and scale, especially because graphite is a key critical mineral."
Fogassa added that a peak sample of 19.4% Cg and prior samples exceeding 11% Cg indicate the presence of high-grade mineralization across multiple areas of the project's 11-kilometer graphite corridor.
Graphite's Expanding Role in Batteries and High-Temperature Industry
Global demand for graphite has been shaped by the rapid growth of electric vehicles and energy storage technologies. In a January 22 article by Anadolu, Ismet Soyocak, a critical minerals expert at SFA (Oxford), explained that natural graphite plays a central role in lithium-ion battery performance. He said that "natural graphite, the carbon that forms the battery's negative electrode, absorbs and releases lithium ions, storing the electricity that powers the vehicle." Soyocak also noted the scale of its use in batteries, stating that graphite accounts for nearly one-third of a battery's weight.
Soyocak also discussed how the rise of battery demand had transformed the graphite industry over time. He stated that "in the last 15 years, the booming global demand for batteries has transformed the industry," with projects increasingly focused on producing higher purity graphite suitable for battery anodes and other advanced uses. He further pointed to the structure of the global supply chain, explaining that "China's control over graphite processing significantly constrains Madagascar's ability to capture value," highlighting the concentration of processing capacity within the sector.
A February 23 industry report from Fortune Business Insights provided additional perspective on the broader graphite market. According to the report, the global graphite market was valued at approximately US$8.33 billion in 2025 and was projected to grow to US$8.89 billion in 2026 and reach about US$15.28 billion by 2034, representing a compound annual growth rate of 6.90%. The report described graphite as "a lightweight, naturally soft element with metallic and nonmetallic properties," explaining that its high thermal and electrical conductivity, chemical resistance, and melting point of 3,927°C make it suitable for applications ranging from refractories and foundries to batteries and lubricants.
The report also noted that the refractory industry remained the largest consumer because of graphite's ability to withstand extreme temperatures in industrial processes. At the same time, it stated that the batteries segment had emerged as one of the fastest-growing applications as lithium-ion batteries became more widely used in electric vehicles and portable electronics.
Additional research has highlighted the emergence of alternative graphite production methods. According to a February 25 report from Custom Market Insights, the global biochar-based graphite market was valued at approximately US$273 million in 2025 and was expected to reach US$321 million in 2026 and about US$629 million by 2035, representing a compound annual growth rate of 13.5%. The report stated that "the graphite made by the use of biochar has reduced environmental harm, great conductivity, and great thermal characteristics," adding that demand for carbon-neutral materials and advanced electronics had contributed to the development of new graphite supply pathways.
Alliance Global Partners Initiates Coverage With Buy Rating and US$42.00 Price Target
According to a January 30 research report from Alliance Global Partners, analyst Jake Sekelsky initiated coverage of Atlas Critical Minerals with a Buy rating and a US$42.00 price target. The report stated, "We are initiating coverage of Atlas Critical Minerals (ATCX) with a Buy rating and US$42.00 price target."
Sekelsky described the company as operating across several critical minerals in Brazil, writing that Atlas Critical Minerals was viewed as "an emerging critical minerals company with a diversified portfolio of projects in Brazil, including rare earths, graphite, titanium, and uranium."
Alliance Global Partners also addressed broader supply chain dynamics related to critical minerals. The January 30 report stated that "the vast majority of supply and refining capacity for this group of minerals is controlled by China," adding that efforts to secure alternative supply chains had increased. Within that context, the report said Atlas Critical Minerals and Brazil were "uniquely positioned to serve as a key source of supply for the West going forward."
The same report also discussed the company's development stage and potential milestones tied to exploration progress. Sekelsky wrote that "we believe ATCX is in the early innings of the miners' value creation curve and view current share price levels as an attractive entry point."
Multiple Critical Minerals Projects Advancing Across Brazil
In its March Investor Presentation, Atlas Critical Minerals reported that it controls more than 218,000 hectares of mineral rights in Brazil across several critical minerals projects, including projects targeting rare earths, titanium, graphite, and uranium.
The company stated that it has rare earth projects in the states of Minas Gerais and Goiás, where initial exploration results have included samples with grades of up to 28,870 ppm total rare earth oxides.
Atlas Critical Minerals also reported exploration activity at its Alto Paranaiba Project in Minas Gerais, where 21 mineral rights are located approximately 350 kilometers from Belo Horizonte. The project includes three exploration blocks that are being systematically evaluated at Carmo do Paranaiba, Patos de Minas, and Tiros.
The company also reported details of its Ipora rare earth project in western Goias state, which spans 18,615 hectares across 12 mineral rights. According to the company, drilling intercepts at the project include 8 meters at 2,071 ppm TREO and 774 ppm MREO in drill hole DHIP-0006, and multiple drill holes have returned intervals exceeding 1,000 ppm TREO across near-surface intervals of 8 to 11 meters.
Streetwise Ownership Overview*
Atlas Critical Minerals Corp. (ATCX;NASDAQ)
Atlas Critical Minerals also reported that its Rio Piracicaba iron ore project is located in Brazil's Iron Quadrangle. Laboratory tests achieved a 64.8% Fe product, and the company stated that all required permits for a 300,000-ton-per-year extraction rate have been secured. The company reported that the project started generating revenues in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Atlas Critical Minerals also reported that its uranium portfolio includes 143,725 hectares across 39 mineral rights located in Bahia, Ceara, Goias, Piaui, Para, and Tocantins states in Brazil.
Ownership and Share Structure1
About 30% of Atlas Critical Minerals is owned by insiders and management. Atlas Lithium Corp. (ATLX:NASDAQ) holds ~21% of the company.
Its market cap is ~US$36 million with ~5 million shares outstanding. It trades in a 52-week range of US$4.80 and US$47.16
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Important Disclosures:
- Atlas Critical Minerals Corp. and Atlas Lithium Corp. are billboard sponsors of Streetwise Reports and pay SWR a monthly sponsorship fee between US$3,000 and US$6,000.
- As of the date of this article, officers, contractors, shareholders, and/or employees of Streetwise Reports LLC (including members of their household) own securities of Atlas Lithium Corp.
- James Guttman wrote this article for Streetwise Reports LLC and provides services to Streetwise Reports as an employee.
- This article does not constitute investment advice and is not a solicitation for any investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her personal financial adviser and perform their own comprehensive investment research. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports' terms of use and full legal disclaimer. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company.
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1. Ownership and Share Structure Information
The information listed above was updated on the date this article was published and was compiled from information from the company and various other data providers.
