Graphano expands Black Jack graphite exploration, seeks $900,000 funding

Graphano Energy Ltd. has completed the prospecting phase of its exploration program at the Black Jack graphite discovery in Québec, Canada. The company is now preparing to expand its exploration efforts westward and is seeking up to $900,000 in private placement funding. These developments aim to strengthen Graphano's position in Québec's graphite exploration sector as it assesses the resource potential of its Black Jack and nearby Black Pearl discoveries.

Located about one kilometer northwest of the Black Pearl graphite discovery, Black Jack is becoming a key exploration target for Graphano. The company has submitted samples collected during its autumn field program for graphitic carbon analysis, with results expected in two to four weeks. These results will be released after a thorough review of the complete dataset.

The recent exploration campaign builds on positive preliminary findings from Graphano's spring 2026 prospecting program. On June 4, 2026, the company reported that 28 grab samples from an exposed graphite-bearing horizon at Black Jack showed graphitic carbon concentrations ranging from 12.0% Cg to 26.5% Cg, with an average of 19.8% Cg. However, Graphano cautioned that grab samples are selective and may not represent the average grade of the mineralized zone, making the forthcoming laboratory results crucial for determining the next exploration steps.

Graphano has applied to Québec’s Ministère des Ressources naturelles et des Forêts for additional exploration authorization to extend the Black Jack area westward. The company plans further ground geophysical surveys to refine conductive targets associated with the graphite-bearing horizon and identify potential areas for additional prospecting.

These activities aim to enhance the geological understanding of the Black Jack discovery and its relationship with the broader Black Jack–Black Pearl exploration trend. Future resource development will depend on further exploration, analytical results, and subsequent technical evaluation.

In parallel with its exploration plans, Graphano announced a non-brokered private placement of up to 12 million units to raise up to $900,000. This financing is expected to support planned exploration activities and advance the company's graphite projects.

Chief Executive Officer Dr. Luisa Moreno noted that completing the prospecting phase is a step towards advancing the discovery. She emphasized the importance of pending laboratory results, the proposed western expansion, and additional geophysical work in understanding the potential of the Black Jack and Black Pearl trends.

The next key milestones include the release of assay results, progress on the additional exploration permit, and further geophysical surveys. These developments will determine whether Graphano can expand the identified graphite mineralization and advance the project towards more detailed exploration.

Graphano Energy’s announcement could support the long-term development of natural graphite supplies, used in lithium-ion battery anodes and other applications. However, the completion of prospecting and pending assay results do not indicate new commercial production or an immediate market supply increase. Therefore, the announcement is unlikely to affect natural graphite prices in the near term. If future exploration confirms a substantial, economically viable deposit, it could contribute to future graphite supply and influence regional trade flows.