TSX-V-listed Focus Graphite has announced a maiden mineral resource estimate (MRE) for the Lac Tétépisca project, in Quebec, which CEO Marc Roy says exceeds the company’s expectations.

The MRE, prepared by DRA Global Montreal, includes a pit-constrained indicated resource for the Manicouagan-Ouest Graphitic Corridor at Lac Tétépisca of 59.3-million tonnes, grading 10.61% graphitic carbon for an estimated content of 6.3-million tonnes of natural flake graphite (in-situ), and an inferred resource of 14.9-million tonnes grading 11.06% graphitic carbon for an estimated content of 1.6-million tonnes of natural flake graphite.

“[The MRE results] show the great potential of our Lac Tétépisca project, which we can now claim hosts one of the largest undeveloped flake graphite deposits in Québec,” said Roy on Thursday.

“Along with our flagship Lac Knife graphite project, we now have two significant graphite deposits in Québec, which puts Focus in a strong position to occupy a vital link in the North American primary graphite supply chain.”

He stated that while the focus remained on bringing the Lac Knife graphite project to commercial production, the company would also begin investigating the best way to advance the development of the Lac Tétépisca graphite project.

Focus would consult the communities that could potentially be impacted by the next stages in the development of the project and offer them an opportunity to participate in project steering committees, Roy said.

The company will also consult the Québec government about potential incentives and initiatives that can help facilitate the development of the project and achieve social acceptability, particularly incentives provided under its Plan for the Development of Critical and Strategic Minerals 2020-2025.

At the same time, Focus will continue exploring the remainder of the project.