Focus Graphite begins NRCan-backed graphite pilot

Executive Summary

• Focus Graphite Inc. has officially commenced pilot-scale processing of bulk ore from its 100%-owned Lac Knife graphite project, shipping a six-tonne sample to SGS Canada Inc. in Lakefield, Ontario.
• The pilot program, financed by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), aims to produce approximately 500 kilograms of high-grade graphite concentrate (targeting ~95% graphitic carbon) to support downstream thermal purification, final reactor engineering, and product validation.
• The concentrate will be shipped to technology partner Thermal & Material Engineer Center (TMEC) within 8-9 weeks to finalize reactor design, while other portions will be used for customer qualification in battery, defense, and advanced materials sectors.

Key Details

• Sample Shipment: Six-tonne bulk ore sample shipped from Lac Knife project to SGS Canada Inc.
• Processing Method: Batch pilot flotation circuit operated by SGS; includes crushing, blending, head assays, and metallurgical benchmarking.
• Target Output: Approximately 500 kilograms of graphite concentrate targeting ~95% graphitic carbon.
• Timeline: Concentrate expected to be produced and shipped to TMEC within 8-9 weeks; the three-month program consists primarily of data compilation and reporting.
• Funding: Formalized funding agreement for up to $14.1 million in non-repayable contributions under NRCan's Global Partnerships Initiative (GPI), announced Dec 8, 2025.
• Strategic Objectives:
  • Support final engineering, detailed design optimization, and construction-level specifications for the thermal purification plant reactor.
  • Enable customer qualification and product validation with potential end-users in battery, defense, and advanced materials sectors.
• Site Selection: Parallel site visits conducted in Quebec and Ontario for the planned thermal purification demonstration plant; evaluating existing industrial infrastructure, utilities, logistics, and permitting.
• Technical Validation: Technical content reviewed by Richard Pearce, PE, a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101.

Notable Quotes

• Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources: "As global demand for critical minerals accelerates, Canada is ready to lead. Focus Graphite's work at Lac Knife shows how we can build a fully Canadian value chain -- from resource to high-purity graphite -- and strengthen our economic security in the process."
• Claude Guay, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources: "Today's progress at Lac Knife shows how Canadian companies are translating ambition into action. By advancing pilot-scale processing here in Canada, Focus Graphite is helping build the downstream capacity that supports good jobs, strengthens regional economies and positions Canada to supply the advanced materials our partners rely on."
• Richard Pearce, Technical Adviser: "SGS Lakefield is a globally recognized leader in mineral processing and pilot-scale metallurgical testing and has extensive familiarity with the Lac Knife flowsheet. This bulk sample program represents a key milestone as we advance Lac Knife toward vertically integrated, high-purity graphite production in Canada. Generating pilot-scale concentrate materially derisks scale-up and accelerates our pathway toward commercial demonstration."