Focus Graphite Secures Up to C$1.38 Million Under Natural Resource Canada's First and Last Mile Fund NRCan Funding of Up to C$1.38 Million Through Canada's First and Last Mile Fund Will Advance Road and Power Infrastructure Planning for the Lac Knife Graphite Project in
Focus Graphite Secures Up to C$1.38 Million
Under Natural Resource Canada's First and
Last Mile Fund
NRCan Funding of Up to C$1.38 Million Through Canada's
First and Last Mile Fund Will Advance Road and Power
Infrastructure Planning for the Lac Knife Graphite Project in
Quebec
Ottawa, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 3, 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 executed a non-repayable Contribution Agreement (the "
Agreement
")
with Natural Resources Canada ("
NRCan
") under the Government of Canada's newly established First
and Last Mile Fund ("
FLMF
"), formerly the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund, securing up to
$1,378,700 in non-dilutive federal funding (the "
Funding
") to advance critical transportation and energy
infrastructure planning under the Project Titled
Lac Knife Graphite Mine Access Road and Hydro
Connection
(the "
Project
") for the Company's flagship Lac Knife Graphite Project ("
Lac Knife
") in
northeastern Quebec.
The Funding will support engineering, environmental, permitting, community engagement and feasibility
activities required to advance the planned all-season access road and Hydro-Quebec grid connection
toward a construction-ready, shovel-ready stage. Once completed, these pre-development activities are
expected to materially de-risk future infrastructure development and significantly advance Lac Knife's
pathway toward future construction, development financing, strategic partnerships and operation.
The Funding forms part of the Government of Canada's recently announced C$3.6 billion Critical
Minerals Investment Package, unveiled at the 2026 Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada
(PDAC) Convention by the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources. A
cornerstone of the package is the C$1.5 billion FLMF, established to advance enabling infrastructure
that moves strategic critical mineral projects toward construction readiness while strengthening domestic
supply chains and supporting Canada's economic, defence and national security objectives.
"We are honoured to receive this support from the Government of Canada, which recognizes the
strategic importance of the Lac Knife project to the North American critical minerals supply chain," said
Dean Hanisch, Chief Executive Officer of Focus Graphite. "As we advance toward permitting and
development, this funding is a strong endorsement of Focus Graphite's role in helping build a secure
domestic supply of high-grade graphite. We are also fortunate to have existing road and power
infrastructure, providing a significant advantage as we move closer to production."
Lac Knife hosts one of North America's highest-grade natural graphite deposits and represents a
strategically important source of natural graphite for North American and allied supply chains. Natural
graphite is a foundational material for lithium-ion batteries, advanced manufacturing, energy storage
systems, and a growing range of defence and dual-use technologies, making secure domestic supply
increasingly important to Canada and its allies.
"The objective is simple: advance Lac Knife, reduce risk and preserve shareholder capital," said Jason
Latkowcer, Vice President of Corporate Development of Focus Graphite
.
"Around the world,
governments and industry are moving quickly to secure critical mineral supply chains. We've heard that
message directly from allies and strategic stakeholders. There isn't time to waste. This funding helps
move Lac Knife from planning toward execution. Early technical work has already identified opportunities
to improve access, and we expect further optimization as engineering and infrastructure planning
advances. This is another tangible step toward building a strategic graphite asset for Canada and its
allies."
A key component of the program includes collaboration with Indigenous communities, including the Innu
Takuaikan Uashat mak Mani-Utenam ("
ITUM
"). The Project includes the establishment of joint technical
and steering committees, Indigenous workforce participation initiatives, skills development programs,
community consultation activities and support for Indigenous participation in the future development and
operation of the planned infrastructure. These activities align with the objectives of the First and Last Mile
Fund to advance Indigenous leadership, engagement and participation throughout the development of
strategic critical mineral infrastructure.
"The development of Lac Knife is a perfect example of Canada's new mining era: a strategic project,
developed to benefit local economies, sustainably, and in partnership with Indigenous Peoples, along
with advancing Canada's role as a reliable global supplier of critical minerals," said the Honourable Tim
Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources. "By investing in the infrastructure and early work
needed to advance this high-grade graphite project, we are reducing risk, accelerating development,
and helping to build a secure, end-to-end supply chain-from mine to market. This is how we strengthen
economic and supply chain security for decades to come."
The infrastructure initiative is expected to deliver multiple long-term benefits to Canada and Quebec. The
proposed access road will establish reliable year-round access to the Lac Knife site, while the future
transmission connection will support the electrification of mining operations through Quebec's
hydroelectric grid, reducing reliance on diesel-powered infrastructure and strengthening the
sustainability, resilience and security of Canada's critical minerals supply chain. The planned
infrastructure is expected to support future production, improve regional access and contribute to long-
term economic development opportunities across Quebec's North Shore region.
Federal Funding Details
Under the executed Agreement, NRCan will provide up to C$1,378,700 in non-repayable funding,
representing approximately 50% of total eligible Project costs. Focus Graphite will contribute an
equivalent amount toward the Project. The Agreement represents another important step in advancing
Lac Knife and reinforces Canada's commitment to developing secure domestic critical mineral supply
chains from extraction through processing and delivery into North American and allied markets.
Funding will support the full work program outlined in the Agreement, including feasibility and
engineering studies, environmental baseline work, geotechnical and LiDAR surveys, stakeholder
engagement, regulatory and permitting activities and detailed infrastructure design. These activities are
expected to culminate in finalized engineering plans, environmental assessments, community approvals
and permit applications required to support future construction decisions.
The Project is scheduled to continue through March 2028.
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 an 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.
+1 (613) 612-6060
Jason Latkowcer
VP Corporate Development
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 anticipated receipt and use of funding under the Contribution Agreement with Natural Resources
Canada; the completion of the activities contemplated under the Lac Knife Graphite Mine Access
Road and Hydro Connection Project; the advancement of the Lac Knife Graphite Project toward
construction-ready and shovel-ready status; the completion of engineering, environmental, permitting,
stakeholder engagement and feasibility activities; the anticipated benefits of the planned access road
and Hydro-Québec grid connection; the Company's ability to secure required approvals, permits and
community support; the timing and completion of the Project work program; the potential for future
development financing, government funding, strategic partnerships and offtake arrangements; the
future development, construction and operation of the Lac Knife Project; the role of Lac Knife in
supporting domestic and allied critical mineral supply chains; and the Company's ability to pursue
additional non-dilutive funding opportunities and execute its long-term development strategy.
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.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit
https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/299885