Focus Graphite Advances Lac Knife Infrastructure Planning with Road and Power Evaluation; Chairman Converts $500,000 Loan to Equity

Focus Graphite Inc. has taken significant steps to advance infrastructure planning for its Lac Knife Graphite Project in Quebec by engaging Norda-Stelo, a leading Canadian engineering firm, to conduct comprehensive corridor selection and preliminary evaluation of access road and electrical infrastructure options. The mandate encompasses identifying optimal routes for a 6-10 kilometer all-season access road connecting to Quebec's Highway 389, as well as evaluating a 30-kilometer private 35.5-kilovolt powerline with grid connection options to Hydro-Quebec's substations.

The infrastructure development aligns strategically with Quebec's ongoing Highway 389 modernization program, which represents a $493 million provincial investment in northern infrastructure through 2035. This timing provides Focus Graphite with a significant logistical advantage, as the upgraded highway corridor will enhance year-round transportation access for personnel, equipment, and eventual graphite concentrate shipments to downstream processing facilities and global markets. The company has applied for federal and provincial infrastructure funding programs to support these developments.

Concurrently, Chairman Jeff York has reinforced his commitment to the company by converting $500,000 of his longstanding loan into 1,388,889 common shares at $0.36 per share, subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval. This debt-to-equity conversion, part of York's total $1,335,000 in private financing provided over the years, demonstrates strong insider confidence in the project's development trajectory.

The engineering evaluation, expected by May 2026, will enable environmental baseline work and geotechnical surveys during the summer 2026 field season. These infrastructure improvements are critical for future development phases, including construction and operation of a planned pilot-scale processing facility. The project positions Focus Graphite to supply high-grade graphite to North American battery, defense, and advanced materials supply chains, supporting the broader transition toward domestic critical minerals security and reduced dependence on foreign-controlled markets.