Preferred Access Corridor Expected to Reduce Future Infrastructure Capital Requirements and Advance Lac Knife Toward Construction Readiness

Ottawa, Ontario - Newsfile Corp. - July 14, 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 the completion of the Lac Knife Access Road Desktop Study (the "Study") prepared by Norda Stelo ("Norda") and overseen by IOS Geosciences ("IOS") as part of the Company's broader infrastructure advancement program for the Lac Knife Graphite Project ("Lac Knife" or the "Project") located near Fermont, Quebec. Following a comprehensive multi-criteria evaluation of three potential access road scenarios, the Study identified Scenario 2 (CH B + M3) as the preferred route (the "Preferred Route"). The selected route combines approximately 2.5 km of an existing access road corridor (CH B) with approximately 7.7 km 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 de-risking 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 NI 43-101 Technical Report - Feasibility Study Update, Lac Knife Graphite Project (the "2023 Feasibility Study"), contemplated the construction of an approximately 32 km 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." Figure 1: Proposed Access Road, Lac Knife (Norda Stelo, 2026) To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1963/305099_42e53e6c4418eaf9_001full.jpgQualified 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 National Instrument NI 43-101. 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...