Mr. Dean Hanisch reports

FOCUS GRAPHITE COMPLETES ACCESS ROAD DESKTOP STUDY AND SELECTS PREFERRED ROUTE FOR THE LAC KNIFE PROJECT

Focus Graphite Inc. has completed the Lac Knife access road desktop study, prepared by Norda Stelo and overseen by IOS Geosciences as part of the company's broader infrastructure advancement program for the Lac Knife graphite project, located near Fermont, Que.

Following a comprehensive multicriteria evaluation of three potential access road scenarios, the study identified Scenario 2 (CH B plus M3) as the preferred route. The selected route combines approximately 2.5 kilometres of an existing access road corridor (CH B) with approximately 7.7 kilometres of the existing Mazarin Road (M3), creating a practical and efficient connection between the realigned Highway 389, currently under construction, and the future mine site. The recommendation was unanimously supported following a joint technical review conducted by Norda, IOS and Focus.

The preferred route maximizes the use of existing transportation corridors while minimizing environmental disturbance, permitting complexity, construction timelines and stakeholder impacts. By leveraging existing infrastructure and the Highway 389 realignment, the selected corridor significantly reduces new road construction requirements relative to historical development assumptions, creating the potential to lower future infrastructure capital requirements and further strengthen the project's development profile.

The study forms part of the infrastructure planning activities being advanced under the company's recently announced Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) First and Last Mile Fund (FLMF) program. As announced on June 3, 2026, Focus Graphite secured $1,378,700 in non-dilutive funding through NRCan's FLMF program to support road and power infrastructure planning for the Lac Knife graphite project in Quebec. The funding supports the engineering, environmental, permitting and indigenous engagement activities required to progress both the proposed all-season access road and Hydro-Quebec grid connection toward construction readiness.

Advancing a more efficient infrastructure strategy

The identification of the preferred route represents another important milestone in the systematic derisking of the project. Infrastructure is often one of the largest capital requirements for northern resource developments, making access optimization a critical component of project economics and overall development risk.

The 2023 National Instrument 43-101 technical report on a feasibility study update for the Lac Knife graphite project contemplated the construction of an approximately 32-kilometre access road connecting the project to the existing alignment of Highway 389. Subsequent infrastructure investments by the Quebec Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, including the realignment of Highway 389 currently under construction, created an opportunity to significantly reduce the length of new road construction required. This has the potential to reduce future infrastructure capital requirements while improving the overall efficiency, constructability and long-term development profile of the project, supporting Focus's long-term objective of advancing Lac Knife toward a shovel-ready development stage.

"Strong projects are built through disciplined planning and consistent execution," said Dean Hanisch, chief executive officer of Focus Graphite. "Identifying a preferred access route is another important milestone for Lac Knife because infrastructure decisions made today can have a meaningful impact on future capital requirements, project economics and execution risk. We are looking forward to acting on these results and making the most of the 2026 field season. Every milestone strengthens the project and moves us closer to establishing Lac Knife as a long-term strategic source of high-quality graphite for North American and allied supply chains."

Qualified person

The technical content disclosed in this news release was reviewed and approved by Richard Pearce, PE, president of Brasil Insight Capital LLC, a consultant to the company and a qualified person as defined under NI 43-101.

About Focus Graphite Inc.

Focus Graphite is redefining the future of critical minerals with two 100-per-cent-owned world-class graphite projects and cutting-edge battery technology. Focus Graphite's 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, defence and advanced materials industries.

Focus Graphite's Lac Tetepisca project further strengthens its portfolio, with the potential to be one of the largest, highest-purity and highest-grade graphite deposits in North America. At Focus, the company goes beyond mining -- Focus Graphite is pioneering environmentally sustainable processing solutions and innovative battery technologies, including its patent-pending silicon-enhanced spheroidized graphite, designed to enhance battery performance and efficiency.

Focus Graphite's commitment to innovation ensures an eco-friendly supply chain from mine to market. Collaboration is at the core of Focus Graphite's vision. The company actively partners with industry leaders, research institutions and government agencies to accelerate the commercialization of next-generation graphite materials. As a North American company, Focus Graphite is 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.

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