Focus Graphite Advances Lac Knife Infrastructure Planning with Road and Power Evaluation; Chairman Converts $500,000 Loan to Equity
Preliminary access road and powerline assessment strengthens development pathway and highlights emerging logistics advantage under Quebec's northern infrastructure buildout
Ottawa, Ontario - Newsfile Corp. - March 12, 2026 - Focus Graphite Inc. (TSXV: FMS) (OTCQB: FCSMF) (FSE: FKC0) ("Focus" or the "Company") a Canadian developer of high-grade flake graphite deposits and advanced graphite materials for battery, defence, and industrial applications, is pleased to announce that it has engaged Norda-Stelo ("Norda"), a leading Canadian engineering firm specializing in infrastructure design, transportation engineering and energy systems, to conduct corridor selection and preliminary evaluation of access road and electrical infrastructure options for its Lac Knife Graphite Project ("Lac Knife" or the "Project") in Quebec.Formerly known as Groupe-Conseil Roche, Norda has extensive experience supporting infrastructure development across Quebec, including work associated with the broader Highway 389 corridor. The work will be coordinated from Norda's Saguenay—Chicoutimi office and will be conducted under the supervision and management of IOS Geosciences Inc. ("IOS"), the Company's geological consultant and general contractor for the Project.
The mandate includes identifying and recommending optimal corridor for a new all-season access road linking the Project site to the newly upgraded section of Quebec's Highway 389, currently under reconstruction a few kilometres north of the Project as part of the province's northern infrastructure strategy. The mandate also includes evaluating the optimal corridor for the construction of a private powerline connection.
The study will include:
- Final corridor selection for a year-round gravel access road of approximately 6-10 kilometres
- Preliminary geotechnical, hydrological and environmental planning
- Conceptual design of an approximately 30-kilometres private 35.5-kilovolt powerline
- Evaluation of grid connection options to Hydro-Quebec's Normand or Bloom Lake substations
"Infrastructure is fundamental to the long-term development of Lac Knife. As we advance the project toward future permitting and development activities, establishing reliable road and power access strengthens our logistical advantage and reinforces the project's potential to supply high-grade graphite to North American and international battery, defence and advanced materials supply chains," said Dean Hanisch, Chief Executive Officer of Focus Graphite.
The Company believes the ongoing modernization of Quebec's Highway 389 corridor represents a significant infrastructure catalyst for the Project. While Lac Knife is currently accessible by vehicle via existing unmaintained dirt roads and trails, including the historical Comstock-Mazarin route, these routes are not designed for large-scale, year-round industrial operations and may become difficult to access during winter months.
A permanent access road connecting Lac Knife to the upgraded Highway 389 corridor would provide year-round transportation access for personnel and equipment, improved mine construction logistics, safer and more reliable workforce mobility, and efficient shipment of graphite concentrate toward downstream processing facilities and global markets.
Highway 389 is currently being modernized under Quebec's Route 389 Improvement Program, led by the Ministere des Transports et de la Mobilite durable (MTMD) and supported by the Societe du Plan Nord. The Quebec Infrastructure Plan 2025-2035 lists the project among the province's major northern infrastructure investments, with approximately $493 million allocated to reconstruction work between Fire Lake and Fermont, with construction continuing through the coming decade.
The corridor forms a key transportation link across Quebec's Cote-Nord and Labrador Trough mining region, connecting resource projects to industrial infrastructure and the deep-water port of Baie-Comeau, approximately 520 kilometres south of Lac Knife.
The Company has applied for federal and provincial infrastructure funding programs related to the proposed access road and powerline development and is currently awaiting the results of those applications. The Company believes the scope of work aligns with government priorities supporting critical minerals development, northern infrastructure investment, secure battery, defence and advanced material supply chains, and regional economic development.
Chairman Converts Portion of Loan to Equity
The Company is also pleased to announce that Chairman Jeff York has initiated the conversion of a portion of his longstanding loan to the Company into equity, reinforcing his continued commitment to Focus Graphite.
Over the years, Mr. York, through his holding company JJJY Holdings Inc., has provided C$1,335,000 in private financing to the Company. As part of this ongoing support, Mr. York has elected to convert C$500,000 of this loan into 1,388,889 common shares of the Company at a price of C$0.36 per share.
The shares-for-debt transaction remains subject to approval by the TSX Venture Exchange.
Qualified Person
The technical content disclosed in this news release was reviewed and approved by Rejean Girard, P.Geo. (QC), President of IOS Geosciences Inc., a consultant to the Company, and a qualified person as defined under National Instrument NI-43-101.
About Focus Graphite Advanced Materials Inc.
Focus Graphite Advanced Materials is redefining the future of critical minerals with two 100% owned world-class graphite projects and cutting-edge battery technology. Our flagship Lac Knife project stands as one of the most advanced high-purity graphite deposits in North America, with a fully completed feasibility study. Lac Knife is set to become a key supplier for the battery, defense, and advanced materials industries.
Our Lac Tetepisca project further strengthens our portfolio, with the potential to be one of the largest and highest-purity and grade graphite deposits in North America. At Focus, we go beyond mining - we are pioneering environmentally sustainable processing solutions and innovative battery technologies, including our patent-pending silicon-enhanced spheroidized graphite, designed to enhance battery performance and efficiency.
Our commitment to innovation ensures a chemical-free, eco-friendly supply chain from mine to market. Collaboration is at the core of our vision. We actively partner with industry leaders, research institutions, and government agencies to accelerate the commercialization of next-generation graphite materials. As a North American company, we are dedicated to securing a resilient, locally sourced supply of critical minerals — reducing dependence on foreign-controlled markets and driving the transition to a sustainable future.
For more information on Focus Graphite Inc. please visit http://www.focusgraphite.com.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-graphite/
X: https://x.com/focusgraphite
Investors Contact:
Dean Hanisch
CEO, Focus Graphite Inc.
dhanisch@focusgraphite.com
+1 (613) 612-6060
Jason Latkowcer
VP Corporate Development
jlatkowcer@focusgraphite.com
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could," "intend," "expect," "believe," "will," "projected," "estimated," and similar expressions, as well as statements relating to matters that are not historical facts, are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current beliefs or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events.
In particular, this press release contains forward-looking information regarding, among other things, the scope, timing and completion of the road and power infrastructure evaluation for the Lac Knife Project; the identification and selection of potential corridors for an all-season access road and private powerline connection to the Project; the anticipated delivery of the engineering evaluation and the completion of environmental baseline work and geotechnical surveys; the potential development of permanent site access and electrical infrastructure; the possible construction and operation of a pilot-scale processing facility; the anticipated benefits of the modernization of Quebec's Highway 389 corridor for the Project; the Company's applications for federal and provincial infrastructure funding programs; the advancement and future development of the Lac Knife Project; and the completion of the shares-for-debt transaction, including receipt of approval from the TSX Venture Exchange.
Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks related to market conditions, regulatory approvals, changes in economic conditions, the ability to raise sufficient funds on acceptable terms or at all, operational risks associated with mineral exploration and development, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's public disclosure documents available under its profile on SEDAR+.
The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties, and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
