Focus Graphite Announces Potential Lac Knife Project Financing Arrangements With Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Jan. 6, 2015) - Focus Graphite Inc. (TSX VENTURE:FMS)(OTCQX:FCSMF)(FRANKFURT:FKC) ("Focus" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation ("Cat Financial") has expressed its formal interest to further evaluate the Company's Lac Knife Project in order to provide Focus with a financing solution for Lac Knife's development.

Cat Financial provides innovative financial solutions for clients across the globe including integrated project and structured financing solutions.

"Cat Financial's Letter of Interest represents an important milestone as we develop the Lac Knife project financing structure," said Don Baxter, Focus Graphite President and COO. "Both parties are discussing mine equipment leasing plus project financing options with a view to achieving a mutually satisfactory conclusion.

"This financing package could potentially represent twelve percent of the total project financing requirements and reduce operating costs as we move to owner-mining instead of contractor-mining as outlined in our Feasibility Study."

Mr. Baxter added: "Cat Financial's interest in Focus's advanced position in the Canadian graphite mining sector underscores the significant progress the Focus team has made in developing our Lac Knife high purity graphite mining project."

While there is not yet a formal commitment in place with Cat Financial, financing discussions are continuing with a number of investors and institutional funds, in both the public and private sector with an objective to minimize shareholder dilution through a mix of debt and equity financing. The provincial government of Quebec also provides some financing alternatives that are not available in other jurisdictions, Mr. Baxter said.

On August 8^th, 2014 Focus Graphite published its Lac Knife Project Feasibility Study that included a mine and concentrator operation with a capital expenditure requirement of $165.6 million including a $17.1 million contingency.

Cat Financial holds the capabilities of arranging and syndicating various possible financial scenarios for the mining sector. The current expression of interest between Focus and Cat Financial is non-binding in nature with terms and conditions yet to be negotiated. Signing of a definitive agreement for project financing arrangements remains subject to credit approval and due diligence by Cat Financial, which would include, but is not limited to Focus Board of Director's approval, as well as compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements and approvals.

Qualified Person

The technical information in this news release was prepared, reviewed and approved by Mr. Don Baxter, P. Eng., Focus President & Chief Operating Officer, and a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 guidelines.

About Caterpillar Financial Services

For over 30 years, Cat Financial, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc., has been providing financial service excellence to customers. The company offers a wide range of financing alternatives to customers and Cat® dealers for Cat machinery and engines, Solar® gas turbines and other equipment and marine vessels. Cat Financial has offices and subsidiaries located throughout North and South America, Asia, Australia and Europe, with its headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee, USA.

About Focus Graphite

Focus Graphite Inc. is an emerging mining development company with an objective to produce value added products initially for the lithium ion battery market from the Lac Knife graphite deposit located south west of Fermont, Québec. The Lac Knife project hosts a NI 43-101 Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource Estimate* of 9.6 million tonnes (432,000 tonnes Measured and 9,144,000 tonnes Indicated) grading 14.77% graphitic carbon (Cg) as natural flake graphite with an additional Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate* of 3.1 million tonnes grading 13.25% Cg. Focus' goal is to assume an industry leadership position by becoming a low-cost producer of technology-grade graphite. The Feasibility Study filed with SEDAR on August 8, 2014 for the Lac Knife Project indicates the project is economically viable and has the potential to become a low cost graphite producer based on 7.86 million tonnes (429,000 tonnes Proven and 7,428,000 tonnes Probable) of Proven and Probable Reserves grading 15.13 Cg. On May 27, 2014 the Company announced the Potential for High Value Added Sales in the Li-Ion Battery Sector following battery coin cell tests performed on Lac Knife Spherical Graphite ("SPG"). Testing measured the performance metrics and confirmed Focus' capability to tailor lithium ion battery anode grade graphite and value added products to meet the most stringent customer specifications. Focus Graphite is a technology-oriented enterprise with a vision for building long-term, sustainable shareholder value. Focus also holds a significant equity position in graphene applications developer Grafoid Inc.

* Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability

Forward Looking Information

This News Release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All information contained herein that is not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information. Generally, such forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved".
Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: (i) volatile stock price; (ii) the general global markets and economic conditions; (iii) the possibility of write-downs and impairments; (iv) the risk associated with exploration, development and operations of mineral deposits; (v) the risk associated with establishing title to mineral properties and assets; (vi) the risks associated with entering into joint ventures; (vii) fluctuations in commodity prices; (viii) the risks associated with uninsurable risks arising during the course of exploration, development and production; (ix) competition faced by the Company in securing experienced personnel and financing; (x) access to adequate infrastructure to support mining, processing, development and exploration activities; (xi) the risks associated with changes in the mining regulatory regime governing the Company; (xii) the risks associated with the various environmental regulations the Company is subject to; (xiii) risks related to regulatory and permitting delays; (xiv) risks related to potential conflicts of interest; (xv) the reliance on key personnel; (xvi) liquidity risks; and (xvii) the risk of potential dilution through the issue of common shares. Forward-looking information is based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable at the time such statements are made, including but not limited to, continued exploration activities, no material adverse change in metal prices, exploration and development plans proceeding in accordance with plans and such plans achieving their stated expected outcomes, receipt of required regulatory approvals, and such other assumptions and factors as set out herein. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. Such forward-looking information has been provided for the purpose of assisting investors in understanding the Company's business, operations and exploration plans and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is made as of the date of this News Release, and the Company does not undertake to update such forward-looking information except in accordance with applicable securities laws.