Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – August 31, 2026) – Graphano Energy Ltd. (TSXV: GEL) (FSE: 97G0) (“Graphano” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that it has received two permits for exploration work (autorisations de travaux à impact) from Québec’s Ministère des Ressources naturelles et des Forêts (MRNF), being ATI-862 (décapage de roc/mechanical stripping) and ATI-863 (forage au diamant/diamond drilling) (together, the “Permits“), authorizing exploration work at the Company’s Black Jack graphite discovery, located approximately one kilometre northwest of the Company’s Black Pearl graphite discovery in Québec.

ATI-862 covers an area of 1.1 hectares and authorizes mechanical stripping of rock at Black Jack between September 15, 2026, and October 31, 2027. ATI-863 covers an area of 2.15 hectares and authorizes diamond drilling at Black Jack between October 15, 2026, and November 30, 2027. Receipt of the Permits allows the Company to proceed with the stripping, mapping and systematic channel sampling program previously identified as the next phase of work at Black Jack. Following completion of this prospecting program, the Company intends to conduct exploration drilling at Black Jack under ATI-863.

Black Jack was identified during the Company’s spring 2026 prospecting program. As previously reported on June 4, 2026, 28 grab samples collected from the exposed graphite-bearing horizon at Black Jack returned graphitic carbon values ranging from 12.0% Cg to 26.5% Cg, with an average grade of 19.8% Cg. Grab samples are selective by nature and are not necessarily representative of the average grade of the mineralized zone. The exposed horizon measures approximately 100 metres long and up to 15 metres wide and is situated along a cluster of airborne conductive anomalies having an interpreted strike length of more than 1.1 kilometres.

Details of the sample preparation, analytical methods, and quality assurance and quality control procedures applicable to the grab sample results referenced above are set out in the Company’s news release dated June 4, 2026, available under the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Dr. Luisa Moreno, Chief Executive Officer of Graphano, commented: “Receipt of the Permits is an important milestone for Black Jack and allows us to advance the next phase of our planned exploration program. The stripping, detailed mapping and systematic channel sampling will help us better evaluate the continuity, width and extent of the graphite-bearing horizon identified during our spring program. We look forward to commencing this next phase of work.”

Next Steps

• mobilize a field crew to Black Jack, with work expected to commence in mid-September 2026;
• conduct mechanical stripping to expose the Black Jack graphite horizon along strike and across width;
• complete detailed geological mapping of the stripped area;
• undertake systematic channel sampling across the exposed horizon, with assays to be reported once received and reviewed; and
• evaluate Black Jack in the context of the broader Black Pearl graphite trend, including the associated airborne conductive anomalies.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release relating to the Company’s mineral properties has been reviewed and approved by Roger Dahn, B.Sc., P.Geo., a director of the Company and a “Qualified Person” as defined in National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Dahn is not independent of the Company.

Update on 3D Genesis Technology

Further to the Company’s news releases dated June 26, 2026 and July 29, 2026 in respect of the binding memorandum of understanding (the “MOU“) with 3D Genesis Technologies (“3D Genesis“) relating to the APIC metal additive manufacturing technology (the “Technology“) (the “Transaction“), the Company advises that the Transaction remains under review by the TSX Venture Exchange (the “Exchange“).

The Company and 3D Genesis are negotiating a definitive agreement in respect of the Transaction. Once executed, the definitive agreement will be filed with the Exchange in support of the Company’s application for acceptance of the Transaction. The Transaction remains subject to Exchange acceptance, the execution of a definitive agreement and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. The Company will provide further updates as developments occur.

About 3D Genesis Technologies

3D Genesis Technologies is a privately held advanced manufacturing technology company and the developer of the APIC (Advanced Particle Induction Casting) metal additive manufacturing technology, the subject of international patent application PCT/IB2025/058612.

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 projects to meet the demands of the future.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Luisa Moreno
Chief Executive Officer and Director
E: 

Neither the 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 Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the execution of a definitive agreement in respect of the proposed transaction; the receipt of TSX Venture Exchange and other required approvals; the formation of the proposed joint venture company; the Company’s ability to complete the earn-in contemplated by the MOU; the achievement and independent verification of the contemplated technical milestones; the continued development, validation and potential commercialization of the APIC technology; the anticipated role of graphite in the technology; the potential applications, performance and market opportunities for the technology; and the expected strategic benefits of the transaction to the Company.
Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions, including, without limitation, that the parties will successfully negotiate and execute a definitive agreement, that all required approvals will be obtained on acceptable terms and in a timely manner, that development of the technology will progress substantially as anticipated, that the contemplated technical milestones will be achieved and independently verified, that funding will be available as required, and that market conditions will support the continued development and commercialization of the technology.
Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the risk that the definitive agreement may not be executed or may differ materially from the terms contemplated by the MOU; the risk that required regulatory or corporate approvals may not be obtained; the risk that technical milestones may not be achieved within expected timeframes or at all; risks associated with the development and commercialization of early-stage technologies; intellectual property risks; the possibility that the anticipated performance or commercial viability of the technology may not be realized; financing risks; market and economic conditions; and other risks described in the Company’s public disclosure documents filed on SEDAR+.
Although the Company believes that the assumptions and expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new events or circumstances.