KEY MILESTONE REACHED AS NOUVEAU MONDE RECEIVES QUEBEC GOVERNMENT AUTHORISATION TO BUILD WHAT IS SET TO BECOME THE WESTERN WORLD’S LARGEST GRAPHITE MINE » The Québec Government has issued the environmental decree, authorising the
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KEY MILESTONE REACHED AS NOUVEAU MONDE RECEIVES
QUEBEC GOVERNMENT AUTHORISATION TO BUILD WHAT IS SET
TO BECOME THE WESTERN WORLD’S LARGEST GRAPHITE MINE
» The Québec Government has issued the environmental decree, authorising the
construction of Nouveau Monde’s Matawinie mining project
» In line with its ethos, Nouveau Monde’s development plan embraces sustainable
development measures, including water management system, tailings co-disposal,
progressive land reclamation and biodiversity protection, acclaimed by the
government’s environmental experts
» Eco-engineering advancing to ensure optimal design of the site’s infrastructure and
progressive reclamation with vegetation that bolsters biodiversity and captures carbon
» Community welcomes project as a positive contributor for socio-economic
development, including direct and indirect employment
» Experienced team assembled to finalize robust project schedule, costs and execution;
early works to start in Q2-2021
» The decree covers a production level of 100,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) of high-quality
graphite material, which will form part of Nouveau Monde’s value-added anode strategy
– supplying material for the electrical vehicles and renewable energy storage industries
MONTRÉAL, QUÉBEC, February 10, 2020 – Following a rigorous environmental review, the Québec
Government has issued a ministerial decree authorising Nouveau Monde Graphite Inc.’s (“Nouveau
Monde” or the “Company”) ( TSXV: NOU; OTCQX: NMGRF; Frankfurt: NM9) Matawinie mining
project for a 100,000-tpa high-purity graphite concentrate production. Located only 150 km north
of Montréal, the Company’s world -class deposit constitutes the la rgest projected graphite
operation in North America and Europe and is expected to become the world’s first all -electric
open-pit mine.
Since filing its bankable feasibility stud y, Nouveau Monde has invested time and effort to
meticulously plan mining and environmental engineering, master the ore metallurgical process to
reach 97% purity after simple flotation, de-risk its operation through its demonstration plant, and
actively engage with the local communit y of St -Michel-des-Saints to secure a social license to
operate and with the Atikamekw First Nation.
The environmental decree now provides Nouveau Monde with the operational criteria and final
design parameters to launch construction activities. From mining development and environmental
engineering to metallurgy and project management, the Company has assembled an experienced
team with a comprehensive skillset to finalize the robust project schedule, pay close attention to
cost control and deliver sound execution.
Through an innovative coordination table set up by the Québec Government, Nouveau Monde has
worked collaboratively with various authorities over the past months to prepare the permitting
process. Hence, Nouveau Monde plans to start early works at the mining site as of Q2-2021, and
full construction is expected to be launched in Q3 -2021 once permits and authori sations are
finalized. The project timeline places c ommissioning activities and start-up of commercial
production in 2023, in time to meet the growing demand of battery manufacturers.
Arne H. Frandsen, Chairman of Nouveau Monde, commented: “Today’s milestone is something we
have worked towards as a team since the outset in 2011. After a decade of meticulous planning,
we can now commence the mine construction of our world-class Matawinie graphite project. We
are most grateful for the continued support Nouveau Monde has received from the Québec
Government and our partnership with Investissement Québec as well as the backing from our local
host communities – all being important stakeholders of this success. We will exercise our mandate
in the spirit of cooperation, sustainability and benefit sharing for all parties involved. The creation
of the Western World’s largest anode-quality graphite mine will assist positioning Québec as the
prime location for the North American battery materials hub – supplying the continent with the
critical anode and cathode materials required for the batteries needed for the global electrification
of mobility.”
Eric Desaulniers, President and CEO of Nouveau Monde, added: “This is a day of celebration . I
founded Nouveau Monde 10 years ago , and today’s decree is a huge milestone for us all . It is a
critical element which our employees, community, clients, and shareholders have been waiting for.
We can be proud of the innovation and dedication that we have demonstrated throughout the
engineering and environmental review phases; they now favourably position us in the marketplace.
With this green light to launch our Matawinie project, we plan to bring to market a responsibly
extracted high-purity graphite to supply EV and energy storage sectors with a local and sustainable
alternative. Doing so will position Nouveau Monde as a leading anode material provider for
decades to come, creating opportunities and unlocking value for all parties involved.”
Setting new standards for mining
Nouveau Monde is working towards developing an operation t hat can provide the volumes
required by major auto OEMs and battery manufacturers ; the most recent estimate s indicate
120.3 Mt combined measured and indicated resources at a 4.26% Cg grade. Geological knowledge
of the Matawinie property paired with experience in extracting and concentrat ing the ore at the
Company’s demonstration plant have significantly de-risked the project.
Nouveau Monde has also integrated forward-looking and innovative environmental initiatives to
limit the project’s footprint and protect local biodiversity, namely:
» integrated onsite water management system guaranteeing constant monitoring and
treatment that meet the highest quality standards;
» co-disposal of tailings and waste rock in line with requirements of the best practices such
as The Global Tailings Review, the International Network for Acid Prevention and the
Canadian Mine Environment Neutral Drainage Program. This management solution helps
avoid acid mine drainage, provides greater e nvironmental safety in the long term and
reduces the infrastructure’s footprint;
» progressive land reclamation through backfilling of the pit and a comprehensive
restoration plan;
» all-electric fleet – a world’s first for an open -pit mine – powered by Québec’s clean,
abundant, and affordable hydroelectricity.
Proactive management of environmental liability
Through its demonstration operations, Nouveau Monde has already validated its process for
desulphurisation o f tailings and completed the construction of a co -disposal experimental cell
through a collaborative partnership with Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (“UQAT”)
(www.uqat.ca).
Picture of the co-disposal cell at Nouveau Monde’s demonstration site, September 2020.
Over the life of mine, the Company intends to implement this system through a co -disposal pile
and backfilling of the pit as of year 6, promoting thereby the restoration of the natural ecosystem
while reducing environmental risks. To ensure long -term sustainability, the co -disposal storage
facility will also include a capillary barrier effect multi-layer cover to block oxygen and vegetate the
site.
SNC-Lavalin (www.snclavalin.com), Lamont Expert (www.lamont-expertconseil.com), Minesite
Drainage Assessment Group (“ MDAG”) (http://mdag.com/) and the National Research Council of
Canada (“NRC”) (https://nrc.canada.ca/) have conducted modeling analysis of Nouveau Monde’s
co-disposal design to study critical design parameters on sulfide oxidati on reaction rate s and
optimise configurations of the pit backfill and co-disposal pile.
Recently the Company has expanded the mandate of NRC to simulate additional site -specific pile
design parameters, like compaction level, using Nouveau Monde’s demonstration plant tailings and
test cell results. NRC will expand the model developed in earlier phases and provide the Company
with a strong tool to optimise tailings deposition plans.
Land reclamation starts today
Nouveau Monde is committed to reaching, and even exceeding, the original biodiversity threshold
while ensuring the community’s safety and protection of water and natural resources . The
Company has tasked Viridis Terra (www.viridisterra.com), a landscape restoration expert, with the
preparation of an ecological and climato-edaphic study to refine reclamation parameters, and the
assessment of the optimal mix for seeding from the valuation of deforestation by-products. Hence,
initiatives, as early as 2021, will be launched to conduct field test beds for the study and
optimisation of vegetation estab lishment, test flora species’ natural ability to capture metals, re -
sequester carbon following deforestation activities, and enhance wetlands and phytoremediation
as complementary passive natural treatment systems. Such efforts would help select species that
promote the rapid return of a resilient and sustainable native ecosystem , limit wind and water
erosion, enhance biodiversity, protect the co-disposal progressive cover and reduce environmental
liabilities.
In collaboration with research centres, tests could be carried out in labs, in greenhouses and in situ.
Pictures of vegetation testing for root system and purifying rhizospheric capabilities.
Catalyst for socio-economic growth
In keeping with its responsible approach, Nouveau Monde has launched many initiatives since the
deposit discovery to align the Matawinie project with the realities, concerns, and values of the local
community. In addition to the creation of jobs and business opportunities, N ouveau Monde has
signed a collaboration and benefit -sharing agreement with the municipality of Saint -Michel-des-
Saints to set out a concrete social, economic and environmental development partnership through
financial and participatory mechanisms.
The Company has also led the implementation of a professional training program in collaboration
with the regional school board and two forest product companies. This paid on-the-job education
program, with guaranteed employment upon graduation , is a win ning formula for developing a
skilled, local workforce. Launched in June 2020, the program begins training its third cohort in
February 2021.
Investor briefing
Shareholders and investors are invited to attend a virtual briefing session hosted by Eric
Desaulniers and Arne H. Frandsen today at 11:00 EST:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ud6ISlb7TgK4jNwncdH4Vg.
An interview with Eric Desaulniers along with images of the deposit and demonstration plant are
also available for viewing here: https://youtu.be/H27afM0XL_0. ProRes files are available for the
media here: https://we.tl/t-94LN8mFQQf.
The technical data included in this release w ere prepared by Martine Paradis , MSc, Eng., VP
Engineering & Environment for Nouveau Monde and reviewed by Antoine Cloutier, géo, Chief
Geologist for Nouveau Monde , both are a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43 –101 Regulation.
About Nouveau Monde
Nouveau Monde is striving to become a key element in the sustainable energy revolution. The
Company is working towards developing a fully-integrated source of green battery anode material
in Québec, Canada. Targeting full -scale commercial operations by 202 3, the Company is
developing advanced carbon-neutral graphite-based material solutions for the growing lithium -
ion and fuel cell markets. With low -cost operations and high ESG standards, Nouveau Monde
aspires to become a strategic supplier to the world’s l eading battery and auto manufacturers,
ensuring robust and reliable advanced material, while guaranteeing supply chain traceability.
Media Investors
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Director, Communications
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Director, Investor Relations
+1-438-399-8665
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Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information
All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release including, but not
limited to ( i) the positive impact of the foregoing on project economics, (ii) the intended results of the
initiatives described above, (iii) the intended project output capacity and (iv ) generally, or the “About
Nouveau Monde” paragraph which essentially describe the Company’s outlook and objectives, constitute
“forward-looking information” or “forward -looking statements” within the meaning of certain securities
laws, and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as of the time of this press release. Forward-
looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while
considered reasonable by the Company as of the time of such statements, are inherently subject to
significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. These estimates and
assumptions may prove to be incorrect. Moreover, these forward -looking statements were based upon
various underlying factors and assumptions, including the timely delivery and installation of the equipment
supporting the production, the Company’s business prospects and opportunities and estimates of the
operational performance of the equipment, and are not guarantees of future performance.
Forward-looking information and statements are subject to known or unknown risks and uncertainties that
may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward -looking
information and statements. Risk factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from
current expectations include, among others, delays in the scheduled delivery times of the equipment, the
ability of the Company to successfully implement its strategic initiatives and whether such strategic
initiatives will yield the expected benefits, the operating perfor mance of the Company’s assets and
businesses, competitive factors in the graphite mining and production industry, changes in laws and
regulations affecting the Company’s businesses, technological developments, the impacts of the global
COVID-19 pandemic an d the governments’ responses thereto, and general economic conditions.
Unpredictable or unknown factors not discussed in this Cautionary Disclaimer could also have material
adverse effects on forward-looking statements.
Many of these uncertainties and con tingencies can directly or indirectly affect, and could cause, actual
results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward -looking statements. There can
be no assurance that forward -looking statements will prove to be accurate, as a ctual results and future
events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward -looking statements are
provided for the purpose of providing information about management’s expectations and plans relating to
the future. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward -looking
statements or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward -
looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable law.
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.
Further information regarding Company is available in the SEDAR database (www.sedar.com) and on the
Company’s website at: www.NouveauMonde.group