Focus Graphite Achieves up to 98.7% Carbon Concentrate Through Mechanical Processing and Activates Downstream Qualification Platform

Focus Graphite Inc. (FMS) completed an eight-tonne pilot processing program at its 100%-owned Lac Knife project, producing approximately 850 kg of mechanical concentrate grading up to 98.7% carbon. The results validate the conventional process flowsheet from the 2023 Feasibility Study Update, demonstrating that high-grade concentrate can be achieved through mechanical concentration alone, without chemical or thermal purification.

The 850 kg of concentrate is being allocated to downstream purification, battery-material development, and specialty graphite programs to support customer evaluation and potential offtake partnerships. The program supports ongoing development with U.S. partners Charge CCCV LLC and Forge Nano Inc., and feeds into a $14.1 million NRCan-funded electrothermal purification demonstration system. Management emphasizes that the mechanical optimization is ongoing to increase concentrate grade while preserving larger flake fractions, which command premium pricing in defense and specialty markets.

Focus Graphite Inc. (FMS) has achieved a technical validation of its processing route, confirming that the flowsheet outlined in the 2023 Feasibility Study is operationally sound. This development de-risks the next phase of engineering and permitting for the project. The release aligns with the company’s stated roadmap to produce qualification-scale material for downstream testing, though it does not constitute a commercial or financial milestone.

There is no new offtake agreement, pricing contract, or change to the capital expenditure timeline associated with this announcement. Financially, the pilot does not alter the company's immediate cash burn or working capital position. The $14.1M NRCan grant covers purification technology specifically, rather than general operating expenses, meaning the company remains reliant on equity markets for near-term liquidity.

Focus Graphite Inc. (FMS) is advancing two 100%-owned graphite projects in Quebec, Canada: Lac Knife and Lac Tetepisca. Lac Knife serves as the company’s flagship project, featuring one of North America’s highest-grade natural flake graphite deposits at approximately 15.4% Cg. A 2023 NI 43-101 Feasibility Study is complete, and the project is currently advancing through the ESIA permitting phase.

Lac Tetepisca hosts a large resource of approximately 144 million tonnes at roughly 10.3% Cg. The site is undergoing metallurgical optimization and engineering studies to support a Preliminary Economic Assessment. The company is pursuing a vertically integrated strategy, combining mining, mechanical concentration, and proprietary electrothermal purification to produce ultra-high-purity graphite for battery, defense, and advanced materials markets.