Focus hires Norda-Stelo for Lac Knife road planning

Executive Summary

• Focus Graphite has engaged engineering firm Norda-Stelo to conduct corridor selection and preliminary evaluation for access road and electrical infrastructure at its Lac Knife graphite project in Quebec, with results expected by May 2026.
• Chairman Jeff York has converted $500,000 of a long-standing loan into 1,388,889 common shares at a price of $0.36 per share, subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval.
• The infrastructure study aims to establish permanent, year-round access to Highway 389 and reliable power, critical for the future construction and operation of a pilot-scale processing facility.

Key Details

• Infrastructure Engineering Mandate:
  • Engaged Norda-Stelo (formerly Groupe-Conseil Roche) to coordinate with IOS Geosciences Inc. for infrastructure planning.
  • Access Road: Final corridor selection for a 6–10 km year-round gravel access road linking the project to the upgraded Highway 389.
  • Power Line: Conceptual design for a ~30 km private 35.5-kilovolt power line.
  • Grid Connection: Evaluation of connection options to Hydro-Quebec’s Normand or Bloom Lake substations.
  • Planning Scope: Preliminary geotechnical, hydrological, and environmental planning.
  • Timeline: Engineering evaluation delivery expected by the end of May 2026; field season for environmental baseline work and geotechnical surveys planned for summer 2026.
• Highway 389 Context:
  • Highway 389 is currently under reconstruction as part of Quebec’s northern infrastructure strategy ($493-million allocated between Fire Lake and Fermont).
  • The corridor connects resource projects to the deepwater port of Baie-Comeau (~520 km south of Lac Knife).
  • Current access via unmaintained dirt roads is insufficient for large-scale industrial operations.
• Financing / Equity Conversion:
  • Chairman Jeff York (via JJJY Holdings Inc.) converts $500,000 of a total $1,335,000 loan portfolio into equity.
  • Shares Issued: 1,388,889 common shares.
  • Price: $0.36 per share.
  • Status: Subject to approval by the TSX Venture Exchange.
• Funding Applications:
  • Company has applied for federal and provincial infrastructure funding programs for the road and power line development; results are pending.

Notable Quotes

• "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.