Graphano Engages Mercator for NI 43-101 Resource Estimate and Launches Exploration at Black Pearl Project

Rhea-AI Summary

Graphano Energy (GELEF) has announced two significant developments: engaging Mercator Geological Services for a NI 43-101 compliant mineral resource estimate and launching exploration at its Black Pearl graphite project in Québec. The resource estimate will cover three zones at Lac Aux Bouleaux (Zone 1, Zone 3, Historical Pit) and the Standard Mine project, incorporating data from 2021-2024 drilling programs. At Black Pearl, where a significant graphite discovery was made in 2024, initial channel samples showed impressive grades of 15.1% Cg over 14 meters and 17.9% Cg over 9 meters. The discovery area, spanning approximately 1,000 meters in strike length, revealed 42 channel samples averaging 13.2% Cg within a 1,200 m² stripped bedrock area. The exploration program, conducted by St-Pierre Exploration, aims to delineate a kilometer-long mineralized trend.

Positive

• Discovery of high-grade graphite at Black Pearl with channel samples showing 15.1% Cg over 14m and 17.9% Cg over 9m
• Engagement of Mercator for NI 43-101 resource estimate, advancing project development
• Extensive mineralized trend at Black Pearl spanning 1,000m length, remaining open for expansion
• Strong average grade of 13.2% Cg from 42 channel samples in the discovery area

Negative

• None.

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 6, 2025) - Graphano Energy Ltd. (TSXV: GEL) (OTC Pink: GELEF) (FSE: 97G0) ("Graphano" or the "Company")  is pleased to announce that it has engaged Mercator Geological Services Limited ("Mercator"), an independent geological consulting firm based in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, to prepare a National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") compliant mineral resource estimate. Concurrently, the Company has initiated an exploration program focused on the Black Pearl graphite property in Québec, Canada.

Engagement of Mercator Geological Services

The engagement of Mercator marks a significant milestone for Graphano as the Company advances toward development of its several mineral projects. The resource estimate will incorporate both recent and historical exploration data, including Graphano drilling programs conducted between 2021 and 2024. It will cover three of the eight mineralized zones at the Lac Aux Bouleaux project – Zone 1, Zone 3, and the Historical Pit – as well as the Standard Mine project. The resulting NI 43-101 resource estimates will serve as the foundation for upcoming technical and economic studies and planning for a producing future.

"We are pleased to work with Mercator, a firm with deep experience in NI 43-101 resource reporting," said Dr. Luisa Moreno, President and CEO of Graphano. "This step is critical in demonstrating the value of our assets and positioning the Company for the next phase of growth. Coupled with our new exploration efforts at Black Pearl, we are laying the groundwork for long-term resource expansion and shareholder value."

Black Pearl Exploration Program Underway

In parallel with the resource estimation work, Graphano has commenced an exploration program, which targets a new graphite discovery made by Graphano in 2024 on the Black Pearl graphite property. As reported by Graphano on July 16, 2024, the new graphite discovery returned surface channel sample results including 15.1% Cg over 14 metres (m) and 17.9% Cg over 9 m. This discovery of important grades and thicknesses of graphite mineralization within geological units, similar to the major graphite deposits of the Lac des Iles region, confirm the excellent potential of this previously unexplored area.

The current program, carried out by St-Pierre Exploration of Amos, Québec, is focused on delineating the extent of the kilometre-long mineralized trend, with the objective of advancing the zone to drill-ready status.

"Black Pearl is an exciting grassroots discovery with potential to host a large and high-grade graphite system," added Dr. Moreno. "We're acting quickly to define its scale and incorporate it into our broader development strategy."

Black Pearl Discovery Highlights (News Release July 16, 2024)

• Discovered through prospecting by St-Pierre Exploration of Amos, Québec.
• 42 channel samples collected within an approximate 1,200 m² stripped bedrock area averaged 13.2% graphitic carbon (Cg). Channel sample results include 15.1% Cg over 14 m and 17.9% Cg over 9 m.
• Grab samples of mineralized bedrock from hand dug trenches 700 malong trend to the northeast of the discovery stripping area returned grades of 20.1% Cg and 15.6% Cg.
• The Black Pearl graphite trend has been outlined by prospecting and limited ground geophysical surveys for an approximate strike length of 1,000 m and remains open.
• The geophysical surveys indicate a wide conductive corridor (75 to 150 m in width) hosting multiple anomalies associated with graphite mineralization.
• The immediate extensions of this recently discovered prospective trend, as well as the remainder of the claim group remain unexplored to date.

(Note: All channel sample results reported are based on bedrock surface widths, true widths of mineralization will be determined with drilling programs).

About Mercator Geological Services

Mercator is a Canadian consulting firm specializing in geological modeling, mineral exploration, and preparation of NI 43-101 compliant technical reports across a broad range of commodities.

About St-Pierre Exploration

St-Pierre Exploration is a Québec-based geological services firm headquartered in Amos. The company provides field support, project design, and technical expertise for mineral exploration programs across the province.

About Graphano Energy

Graphano Energy Ltd. is an exploration and development company that is focused on evaluating, acquiring, and developing energy metals resources from exploration to production.

Graphite is one of the most in-demand technology minerals that is required for a green and sustainable world. The Company's Lac Aux Bouleaux property, situated adjacent to Canada's only producing graphite mine, in Quebec, Canada, has historically been an active area for natural graphite. With the demand for graphite growing in some of the most prominent and cutting-edge industries, such as lithium batteries in electric cars and other energy storage technologies, the Company is developing its project to meet the demands of the future.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,

Luisa Moreno
Chief Executive Officer and Director
E: info@graphano.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, without limitation, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or "should" occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements in this news release relate to, among other things, the preparation and timing of the NI 43-101 compliant mineral resource estimate; the use of such estimate for future technical and economic studies; the advancement of the Black Pearl property to a drill-ready status; the potential of the Black Pearl graphite trend; expectations regarding resource expansion and shareholder value; and the Company's development plans and market outlook for graphite. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by Graphano, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation, risks associated with possible accidents and other risks associated with mineral exploration operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, risks associated with the interpretation of exploration results, the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other governmental clearances necessary to carry out the Company's exploration plans, the risk that the Company will not be able to raise sufficient funds to carry out its business plans, and the risk of political uncertainties and regulatory or legal changes that might interfere with the Company's business and prospects. These risks, as well as others, are disclosed within the Company's filing on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca, the Canadian Securities Administrators' national system that all market participants use for filings and disclosure, which investors are encouraged to review prior to any transaction involving the securities of the Company. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning these items. Graphano does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/250926

FAQ

What are the key findings from Graphano Energy's (GELEF) Black Pearl graphite discovery?

The Black Pearl discovery showed high-grade graphite with channel samples of 15.1% Cg over 14m and 17.9% Cg over 9m. The site averaged 13.2% Cg from 42 channel samples within a 1,200 m² area, with a mineralized trend spanning approximately 1,000m in length.

Why did Graphano Energy (GELEF) engage Mercator Geological Services?

Graphano engaged Mercator to prepare a NI 43-101 compliant mineral resource estimate covering three zones at Lac Aux Bouleaux and the Standard Mine project, incorporating drilling data from 2021-2024. This will serve as foundation for future technical and economic studies.

What is the potential scale of Graphano's (GELEF) Black Pearl graphite project?

The Black Pearl project features a wide conductive corridor (75-150m width) with multiple graphite anomalies along a 1,000m strike length that remains open, suggesting potential for a large-scale graphite system.

What are the next steps for Graphano Energy's (GELEF) Black Pearl exploration program?

The current exploration program, conducted by St-Pierre Exploration, focuses on delineating the extent of the kilometer-long mineralized trend, with the objective of advancing the zone to drill-ready status.