NMG Provides Quarterly Update, Presents Highlights from its 2023 ESG Report and Provides Notice of its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders
NMG Provides Quarterly Update, Presents Highlights from its 2023 ESG
Report and Provides Notice of its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders
• Following multiyear offtakes and strategic investments from Panasonic Energy and
GM, reinforced commercial engagement with tier-1 EV and battery manufacturers
toward additional offtake agreement(s) for the remainder of NMG’s Phase-2 active
anode material production.
• Assisted by Société Générale and BMO Capital Markets, continued discussions with
multiple governmental agencies and programs, strategic investors, and lenders to
refine the targeted capital structure for the Phase-2 project financing.
• Project execution strategy outlined for the construction of Phase-2 facilities with an
integrated project team model to ensure greater control over the project's direction
as well as reduced project management and engineering costs.
• Active engineering to update production parameters of the Phase-2 Bécancour
Battery Material Plant in line with Anchor Customers’ specifications.
• Issuance of NMG’s 2023 ESG Report demonstrating advancement on climate
action, biodiversity management, Indigenous relations, governance, and stakeholder
engagement.
• Closing of US$37.5-million private placements by Mitsui and Pallinghurst for the
surrender and cancellation of their convertible notes dated November 8, 2022, as
amended and restated.
• Tree clearing activities started at the Phase-2 Bécancour Battery Material Plant site
in advance of preparatory work.
• Global EV sales continuing to grow – 21% increase quarter-on-quarter over the
period (Rho Motion, April 2024) – with more than 1 in 5 cars sold worldwide set to
be electric in 2024 (IEA, April 2024).
• NMG’s Annual General Meeting of Shareholders scheduled for June 27, 2024, via
webcast.
• Twelve-month rolling OSHA recordable incident rate of 4.30 and severity rate of 0
at the Company’s facilities; and 0 at contractors’ work sites. No major
environmental incidents.
• Period-end cash position of $88 million.
MONTRÉAL--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 15, 2024--On the heels of its multiyear offtake
agreements and strategic investments with Anchor Customers Panasonic Energy Co., Ltd.
(“Panasonic Energy”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Panasonic Holdings Corporation
(“Panasonic”) (TYO:6752), and General Motors Holdings LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of
General Motors Co. (collectively, “GM”) (NYSE:GM), Nouveau Monde Graphite Inc. (“NMG”
or the “Company”) (NYSE:NMG, TSXV:NOU) diligently advances its Phase-2 development to
establish what is projected to be North America’s first, fully integrated natural graphite
production for the electric vehicle (“EV”) and battery market. The Company also releases its
2023 Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) Report demonstrating advancement on
climate action, biodiversity management, Indigenous relations, governance, and stakeholder
engagement, among others.
Arne H Frandsen, Chair of NMG, declared: “We are writing a unique chapter in the global
energy transition movement. Our sustainable-by-design value proposition continues to pull
stakeholders, customers, and investors to NMG’s story. Our offtake agreements with global
leaders Panasonic Energy and GM, accompanied by equity participation and further committed
investments, provide a strong testament of NMG’s alignment with our customers’ vision for
sustainability. As governments adopt more stringent regulation on sourcing, carbon footprint,
and transparent disclosure, NMG’s attractiveness in the market continues to grow.”
Eric Desaulniers, Founder, President and CEO of NMG, said: “At NMG, ESG principles are
central to designing our projects in collaboration with communities and First Nations,
developing our products, innovating on technologies, and reducing the potential impact of
building and operating our facilities. It is also a rallying chant for our employees who are proud
of doing things differently, with people and the planet in mind. To that end, I salute Team
Nouveau Monde and our partners for their engagement in advancing our initiatives and
elevating our performance.”
Driving Sustainability and Accountability
NMG’s commitment to environmental stewardship remains steadfast, with significant progress
achieved across key metrics. The Company proudly reports having maintained a track record of
0 major environmental incidents, 100% of water quality standards met at its Matawinie Mine,
and a carbon-neutral footprint. In that regard, NMG signed definitive agreements with Caterpillar
Inc. this year to frame the deployment of technology, our testing collaboration, as well as the
procurement of a zero-exhaust emission fleet and infrastructure for the Matawinie Mine.
Recognizing the importance of biodiversity conservation, NMG has embraced a proactive
approach to safeguarding nature through sustainable engineering of its Phase-2 facilities,
protection measures for threatened species and sensitive habitats, and proactive reclamation
efforts. The Company has also adopted a Water Stewardship Policy this year that sets out
guidelines on governance, water management, and collaboration with stakeholders.
NMG continues to prioritize open and proactive engagement with communities and First Nations
as it advances its projects, fostering respect, collaboration, and opportunities. Initiatives include
employee training on Indigenous realities and unconscious bias, an adapted job application
process for Indigenous workers including content in Atikamekw and Innu-Aimun languages, as
well as outreach efforts for community and business engagement.
As part of its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion action plan, NMG advanced various initiatives
including the participation to an international recruitment mission, updating its corporate
materials to ensure representation of its diverse workforce, and systematic integration of content
related to diversity topics in its internal communications to promote the benefits of an open
workplace. The Company also promotes innovative workforce practices such as paid, alternating
work-study programs in collaboration with school boards and other industrial partners to support
the development of a skilled local workforce ahead of commercial operations.
NMG strengthened its responsible procurement practices to emphasize high standards on social
and environmental performance, seek eco-friendly sourcing and promote opportunities for local
and Indigenous businesses. In 2023, 79% of NMG’s procurement was based in Québec, with
$4.9 million in contracts directly within its communities.
The health, safety, and well-being of NMG’s workforce remains paramount. NMG initiated a
culture-shaping initiative in 2023 that is set to extend and expand as the Company grows. For the
twelve-month period ended March 31, 2024, NMG had an Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (“OSHA”) recordable incident rate of 4.30 and a severity rate of 0.
Advancing a Turnkey Ore-to-Battery-Materials Production
The project execution strategy is now outlined for the construction of the Matawinie Mine and
Bécancour Battery Material Plant once a final investment decision (“FID”) is reached. The
Company is advancing an integrated project team (“IPT”) model where NMG’s owner team will
be assisted by strategic partners in engineering, procurement, construction management and
project controls. The IPT strategy offers several advantages, including greater control over the
project's direction as well as reduced project management and engineering costs.
Ongoing engineering activities, preparation for construction and procurement strategy are being
integrated into this model, with active progress for both projects. Building on intel from its
Phase-1 operations and integrating the specifications from its Anchor Customers, NMG is
actively updating the production parameters of its Phase-2 Bécancour Battery Material Plant. For
example, furnace construction materials aligned with NMG’s Phase-2 commercial furnaces were
installed and are being tested so performance and data from production activities can inform
parallel engineering.
At NMG’s 200,000-m2 land in the Bécancour industrial park in Québec, tree clearing was carried
out in advance of preparatory work. Adjacent to the Company’s Phase-1 purification plant, the
greenfield site provides a central location for building the Phase-2 Bécancour Battery Material
Plant, in the heart of the battery industrial hub being developed, including GM-POSCO.
Securing a Solid Foundation for a Commercial Development
After having entered into offtake agreements with Anchor Customers for its active anode
material, covering approximately 85% of the Company’s planned Phase-2 fully integrated
production, NMG is reinforcing commercial discussions with other tier-1 battery and EV
manufacturers for the remainder volumes. NMG’s attractive fully integrated, local, and scalable
production model, aligned with sourcing requirements and trade restrictions from key
jurisdictions provide strong tailwinds for the Company’s commercial engagement.
In parallel, NMG continues to advance financing efforts for its Phase-2 Matawinie Mine and
Bécancour Battery Material Plant in view of FID. With Panasonic Energy and GM multiyear
supply contracts plus long-term engagement as shareholders, NMG can demonstrate long-term
bankability underpinnings. The Company is engaged with export credit agencies, governments,
strategic investors, and potential customers to refine a robust capital structure that leverages
international debt, government funding and equity. The Company’s project financing approach
also strives to leverage fiscal incentives such as Canada’s Investment Tax Credit for Clean
Technology Manufacturing, a refundable tax credit of up to 30% of eligible capital expenditures.
Following regulatory approval and positive support by NMG shareholders, in accordance with
Regulation 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (“Regulation
61-101”), the Company closed private placements for an aggregate US$37.5-million private
placements from Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (“Mitsui”) and Pallinghurst Bond Limited (“Pallinghurst”)
for the surrender and cancellation of each of Mitsui’s and Pallinghurst’s convertible notes dated
November 8, 2022, as amended and restated.
NMG’s period-end cash position is $88 million.
Aligning with Market and Policy Trends
In Q1-2024, global EV sales reached 3.1 million units and grew 21% quarter-on-quarter (Rho
Motion, April 2024). The International Energy Agency estimates 17 million global sales in 2024,
with more than 1 in 5 cars sold worldwide set to be electric (IEA, April 2024). The adoption of
EVs in North America is currently being stimulated by the introduction of multiple new models
by leading market participants, a price war among EV manufacturers and structuring
partnerships to accelerate the deployment of charging networks.
A trend towards reshoring supply chains and manufacturing capacity is becoming apparent
through trade tensions, governmental incentives, and industry announcements. Canada is among
the emerging leaders of this new economy (BloombergNEF, February 2024), and has now
attracted more than $31 billion in investments from EV and battery manufacturers since 2021
(Government of Canada, April 2024). Honda is of the number with a $15-billion plan to establish
a comprehensive supply chain in Canada through battery materials processing, battery
manufacturing, and EV assembly plants set to be fully operational in 2028.
In the U.S., the Biden Administration is forging ahead with incentives and sourcing requirements
associated with the Inflation Reduction Act (“IRA”). The final rule will oblige EV manufacturers
to demonstrate a meaningful procurement plan to secure compliant supply chains for certain
battery materials, including graphite, in the transition period to 2027.
Annual General Meeting of Shareholders
NMG will hold its annual general meeting of shareholders (the “Meeting”) on Thursday, June
27, 2024, at 10 a.m. (Eastern Time) via live webcast at https://virtual-
meetings.tsxtrust.com/en/1686 . NMG is holding the Meeting as a completely virtual meeting,
which all shareholders, regardless of geographic location, will have an equal opportunity to
attend. Items on the agenda include (a) the presentation of the Company’s consolidated audited
financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, and the
independent auditor’s report thereon; (b) the election of directors named in the management
information circular; (c) the appointment of the external auditor; and (d) the ratification of the
Company’s stock option plan. Registered shareholders and duly appointed proxyholders are
encouraged to vote their shares in advance of the Meeting.
The meeting will be complemented with a corporate presentation by Founder, President and
CEO Eric Desaulniers providing an update on the Company’s key projects, commercial
engagement, and growth plan.
Shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting will be those who are shareholders as at the close of
business on the record date, being May 17, 2024. Electronic copies of the notice of meeting, the
management information circular, the proxy form, the voting instruction form and the financial
statements are or will be available, as the case may be, on the Company’s SEDAR+ and EDGAR
profile, NMG’s website and at www.meetingdocuments.com/TSXT/NOU. The Company’s
financial reports, 2023 Annual Report and 2023 ESG Reportare also posted online on NMG’s
website for ease of consultation.
About Nouveau Monde Graphite
Nouveau Monde Graphite is an integrated company developing responsible mining and
advanced manufacturing operations to supply the global economy with carbon-neutral active
anode material to power EV and renewable energy storage systems. The Company is developing
a fully integrated ore-to-battery-material source of graphite-based active anode material in
Québec, Canada. With enviable ESG standards and structuring partnerships with anchor
customers, NMG is set to become a strategic supplier to the world’s leading lithium-ion battery
and EV manufacturers, providing high-performing and reliable advanced materials while
promoting sustainability and supply chain traceability. www.NMG.com
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Cautionary Note
All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release including,
but not limited to those describing the start of commercial operation of the Bécancour Battery
Material Plant and the Matawinie Mine, the planned construction of the Bécancour Battery
Material Plant and Matawinie Mine, a positive final investment decision and closing of project
financing, receipt of any regulatory approvals and permits in respect of the initiatives described
herein, the anticipated benefits of the initiatives described herein, the Company’s projection to
be North America’s first, fully integrated natural graphite production for the electric vehicle and
battery market, the Company’s initiatives and commitments described in this press release,
including those related to ESG, the positive impact in the communities and on local businesses,
the Company’s relationship with its stakeholders, including suppliers, contractors and
employees, the realization of the condition precedents of the supply agreements and their entry
into force, the intended supply of active anode material to GM and Panasonic Energy, the
positive outcomes of the commercial discussions with other tier-1 battery and electric vehicle
manufacturers for the remainder volumes the ability to firm up a robust capital structure that
leverages international debt, government funding and equity, and to leverage fiscal incentives,
the market and industry trends, the general business and operational outlook of the Company,
the Company's long-term bankability, the intended results of the initiatives described in this
press release and those statements which are discussed under the “About Nouveau Monde”
paragraph and elsewhere in the press release which essentially describe the Company’s outlook
and objectives, constitute “forward-looking information” or “forward-looking statements”
(collectively, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of Canadian and United States
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 current technological trends, the business relationship between the Company and
its stakeholders, the ability to operate in a safe and effective manner, the timely delivery and
installation at estimated prices of the equipment supporting the production, assumed sale prices
for graphite concentrate, the accuracy of any Mineral Resource estimates, future currency
exchange rates and interest rates, political and regulatory stability, prices of commodity and
production costs, the receipt of governmental, regulatory and third party approvals, licenses and
permits on favorable terms, sustained labor stability, stability in financial and capital markets,
availability of equipment and critical supplies, spare parts and consumables, the various tax
assumptions, CAPEX and OPEX estimates, all economic and operational projections relating to
the project, local infrastructures, 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 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
statements. Risk factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current
expectations include, among others, those risks, 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 availability of financing or
financing on favorable terms for the Company, the dependence on commodity prices, the impact
of inflation on costs, the risks of obtaining the necessary permits, the operating performance 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, including the
changes in China’s policy regarding restrictions on Chinese graphite materials exportations,
political and social acceptability risk, environmental regulation risk, currency and exchange
rate risk, technological developments, and general economic conditions, as well as earnings,
capital expenditure, cash flow and capital structure risks and general business risks. A further
description of risks and uncertainties can be found in NMG’s Annual Information Form dated
March 27, 2024, including in the section thereof captioned “Risk Factors”, which is available
on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. Unpredictable or unknown
factors not discussed in this Cautionary Note could also have material adverse effects on
forward-looking statements.
Many of these uncertainties and contingencies 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 actual 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.
The market and industry data contained in this press release is based upon information from
independent industry publications, market research, analyst reports and surveys and other
publicly available sources. Although the Company believes these sources to be generally
reliable, market and industry data is subject to interpretation and cannot be verified with
complete certainty due to limits on the availability and reliability of raw data, the voluntary
nature of the data-gathering process and other limitations and uncertainties inherent in any
survey. The Company has not independently verified any of the data from third-party sources
referred to in this press release and accordingly, the accuracy and completeness of such data is
not guaranteed.
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 the Company is available in the SEDAR+ database
(www.sedarplus.ca), and for United States readers on EDGAR (www.sec.gov), and on the
Company’s website at: www.NMG.com
Contacts
MEDIA
Julie Paquet
VP Communications and ESG Strategy
+1-450-757-8905, ext. 140
INVESTORS
Marc Jasmin
Director, Investor Relations
+1-450-757-8905, ext. 993