First EVER All-Electric Open-Pit MINE: the Feasibility Study Will Be Completed BY 2018 Symbols: NOU (TSX Venture), OTCQX: Nmgrf, Frankfurt: NM9
FIRST EVER ALL-ELECTRIC OPEN-PIT MINE:
THE FEASIBILITY STUDY WILL BE COMPLETED BY 2018
Symbols: NOU (TSX Venture), OTCQX: NMGRF, Frankfurt: NM9
April 10, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Montreal, Quebec — Nouveau Monde Graphite (NMG) intends on completing by the end of 2018 its
feasibility study leading to the implantation of the first ever all-electric open-pit mine. The results of
this study will serve to confirm the project’s economic viability and to determine how best to exploit
the graphite deposit of Saint -Michel-des-Saints in a carbon -neutral way to meet the NMG’s
sustainable ambitions.
An International Team of Experts : The Task Force Committee.
Prior to launching this all-electric project feasibility study, last Fall 2017, NMG brought together an
international team of experts: The Task Force Committee (TFC), recognized worldwide for their
knowledge and expertise: ABB Inc., Doppelmayr Canada LTD, Met-ChemCanada Inc./DRA, Medatech
Engineering Services Ltd and SNC-Lavalin Inc. “Members of the TFC work together closely and
intensely. This has led us to upgrade the initial project as presented in the pre-feasibility study (see
press release issued October 25, 2017), by integrating existing electrification technology solutions. In
doing so, NMG will obtain an all-electric effective mining plan without jeopardizing the forecasted
profitable exploitation” explains NMG Chief of Operations, Karl Trudeau. Upon completion, the TFC
as well as NMG’s in-house team have come to the conclusion that an all-electric project offers
equivalent global economic viability while proposing a significant improvement on social and
environmental levels.
Click to watch a video about the TFC’s work
“ The feasibility phase that we are embarking in is the next logic step of NMG’s development plan. By
going forward with the all-electric concept, we intend on demonstrating that NMG can grow by
choosing eco-energetic solutions, already put at use by major international suppliers, while
respecting deadlines and budgets. Electricity is a clean energy source. It is abundant and easily
accessible on our deposit located one the Matawinie property. This prompts us to consider the
viability of a carbon-neutral project that meets our profitability goals,” adds Éric Desaulniers,
President and CEO of NMG.
Feasibility Study
In December 2017, NMG published a pre-feasibility study forecasting a yearly production capacity of
52,000 tonnes of concentrate for a 27-year-pit exploitation. The feasibility study has commenced and
has been entrusted to Met-Chem/DRA. The Montreal engineering firm will lead the study and the
integration in conformity with the Regulation 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects
(NI43-101). SNC-Lavalin Inc., ABB Inc. and SGS Canada Inc. will also be beseeched for this feasibility
study.
The scope of the mandate includes the following tasks:
• Review mining resources including drilling targeting the West zone of the Tony claims block
(see press release issued March 1, 2018).
• Review the mining plan and schedule. The feasibility study will develop a mining plan based on
an open-pit exploitation.
• Metalworking revision.
• CAPEX and OPEX updates.
• Financial analysis and sensibility analysis updates, including a treasury flow (prior and post
income taxes).
• Preparation of a technical report.
The feasibility study will be completed by the end of 2018. Certain seasonal issues of the feasibility
study such as geo-technic drilling and specific sites’ condemnation drilling have already been
conducted. Health and security issues as well as environmental protection will be included in the
conception criteria of our infrastructure and operations. The industry’s leading technological
solutions and engineering concepts will be put to use and the mining site’s and demonstration
facility’s footprint will be reduced to its minimum. Two innovative concepts will also be introduced to
our feasibility study: the co-disposition of mining residues and an all-electric exploitation.
Social and Environmental Impact Assessment
A social and environmental impact assessment study (S&EA) has also begun. This study is conducted
as part of the meridional Quebec environmental impact evaluation and examination procedure of the
Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements
climatiques (MDDELCC). In February 2018, NMG has received the directive of the Minister to
complete this study. The study scope includes the description of the environment base-line (or the
initial environment prior to the project realization), the description of the project and of its
components, based on the feasibility study, the impact analysis, the identification of attenuation
measures or compensations, the preparation of an emergency plan as well as surveillance and
monitoring programs. The completion of this study has been confided to SNC-Lavalin. It will be
conducted in full consideration of all authorities responsible and in respect of the principles of
sustainable development. Its realization includes many consultations activities with the hosting
communities.
About our International Team of Experts
ABB Inc. (http://new.abb.com/ca) : ABB (NYSE: ABB) is a pioneering technology leader in
electrification products, robotics and motion, industrial automation and power grids, serving
customers in utilities, industry and transport & infrastructure globally. Continuing a history of
innovation spanning more than 130 years, ABB today is writing the future of industrial digitalization
and driving the Energy and Fourth Industrial Revolutions. As title partner of Formula E, the fully
electric international FIA motorsport class, ABB is pushing the boundaries of e-mobility to contribute
to a sustainable future. ABB operates in more than 100 countries with about 136,000
employees. About ABB in Canada : In Canada ABB has a strong history of over a hundred years of
Canadian innovation and the company continu es to expand and localize its offerings for customers.
With its Canadian corporate headquarters in Montreal, ABB operates close to 50 facilities and
employs approximately 4,000 people across the country.
Doppelmayr Canada Inc. (https://www.doppelmayr.com/en/) : This international company,
specializing in the transport of ore by aerial conveyors in difficult terrain and conditions, will supply
NMG with ore handling solutions (RailCon® technology). This technology will be combined with a pit
crusher; this mixed avenue will minimize ore transport from the pit to the ground surface.
DRA-Metchem Canada Inc. (http://www.met-chem.com/fr/) : The Met -Chem division of DRA
Americas, is a consulting engineering company, headquartered in Montreal, and provides a wide
range of technical and engineering services. Met -Chem is well -recognized for its capabilities in
graphite, mining, geology and mineral processing and has a talented team of engineering, technical
and project management personnel. DRA is a multi-disciplinary global engineering group that delivers
mining, mineral processing, energy, water treatment and infrastructure services from concept to
commissioning, as well as comprehensive operations and maintenance services for the mineral
resources, water, agriculture and energy sectors. DRA has offices in Africa, Australia, Canada, China,
and the United States. Initially in charge of NMG’s pre -feasibility study, this world -leading mining
engineering firm will supply all the mandatory mining plan and mine operations recommendations.
DRA/Met-Chem will also lead NMG’s feasibility study.
Medatech Engineering Services Ltd (https://medatech.ca/): This Ontario-established company has
already been successful in converting many industrial equipment used in underground mines and
pits and for civil engineering needs to all-electric full-functioning machinery.
SNC-Lavalin Inc. (http://www.snclavalin.com/en/index.aspx) : Founded in 1911, SNC -Lavalin is a
global fully integrated professional services and project management company and a major player in
the ownership of infrastruc ture. From offices around the world, SNC -Lavalin's teams provide
comprehensive end -to-end project solutions – including capital investment, consulting, design,
engineering, construction, sustaining capital and operations and maintenance – to clients in oil and
gas, mining and metallurgy, infrastructure and power. On July 3, 2017, SNC -Lavalin acquired Atkins,
one of the world’s most respected design, engineering and project management consultancies. This
prominent engineering firm will conduct studies and establish a detailed design of mining residue co-
disposition. The firm will also look over the completion of our social and environmental and social
impact assessment study.
About Nouveau Monde Graphite
Geologist and mining exploration expert Éric Desaulniers founded Nouveau Monde Graphite (NMG)
in 2012. In 2015, thanks to the innovative use of 3D geodesic modelling technology, NMG discovered
two major and high-quality graphite deposits on its Matawinie property, located in Saint-Michel-des-
Saints, 150 km north of Montreal, Quebec. NMG then stepped out of its exploration phase to enter
an era of development, having secured financial support with prominent venture capitalists and
bankers.
On October 25, 2017, NMG revealed the results of its pre-feasibility study, independently conducted
in accordance to the Regulation 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects The study proved
the high graphite content and quality and showed the industrial exploitation potential of the deposit
located in the West Zone of its property. Having secured $13.7 M, during the Summer of 2018, NMG
plans on operating a demonstration facility with a capacity to hold up to 1,000 tonnes of graphite
concentrate flakes a year. The two-year project’s goal is to produce and characterize various forms of
graphite to meet the needs expressed by potential industrial clients. All the while, NMG will finalize
investments and start working on the development of an open -pit mine and th e creation of a
treatment facility capable of producing 52,000 ton nes of concentrate a year. Both the mining
operation and the plant will be fully electric.
Finally, in a vertical integration and sustainable development perspective, NMG has begun planning
the establishment of a large -scale graphite secondary transformation facility. This will cater to the
ever-growing popularity and use of lithium-ion batteries and would be the only existing manufacture
of its kind in North America.
Our team at NMG has more than 40 years of recent experience with graphite. NMG develops its
projects in the utmost respect of the neighbouring communities while favouring a minimal ecological
footprint. NMG has many direct accesses to labour and needed infrastructure for its operations, such
as an abundant source of affordable and renewable hydroelectricity.
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Marie-Eve Chaume
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