PIVOTAL YEAR FOR NOUVEAU MONDE GRAPHITE 2020 Goals: Permitting, Construction Start and VAP
PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
PIVOTAL YEAR FOR NOUVEAU MONDE GRAPHITE
2020 Goals: Permitting, Construction Start and VAP
SAINT-MICHEL-DES-SAINTS, QUEBEC, January 14, 2020 (MARKETWIRED) – Nouveau Monde
Graphite Inc. (“Nouveau Monde” or “NMG”) (TSX.V: NOU; OTCQX: NMGRF; Frankfurt: NM9) is
starting 2020 with great momentum after a particularly productive fall . The Company has a
busy year ahead with plans to obtain the required permits for its Matawinie mining project,
start construction of its commercial facilities, and launch demonstration op erations for its
value-added graphite products (VAP).
2020 Goals: Focus on Preparing Commercial Activities
Nouveau Monde will simultaneously advance its mining and secondary transformation projects
during the year to favourably position itself for the start of commercial activities planned for
2022. As such, here are some of the Company’s goals for 2020:
Production of micronized and spheronized graphite will launch at the Saint-Michel-des-
Saints demonstration plant in Q1 -2020 in order to optimize the process and qualify
these products for potential customers.
Mineral resource update for the Matawinie deposit, in accordance with the provisions
of Regulation 43-101 respecting Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, during
Q1-2020.
Consultations of the Bureau d'audiences publiques sur l'environnement about the
Matawinie mining project and finalization of the government's environmental analysis
for a decree authorizing the project in the second half of the year.
Application for permits and start of pre -construction work on the mining project's
commercial facilities near the end of Q3-2020.
Continuation of the second year of operation of the demonstration flotation plant
according to the highest health, safety and environmental standards.
Construction and start-up of demonstration purification operations in the second half
of the year to produce anode material for lithium-ion batteries.
Progress in detailed engineering and procurement of long-lead equipment for mining
facilities by the end of Q4-2020.
Deployment of employee training and business opportunity promotion programs
targeting the Upper Matawinie and Atikamekw communities.
Ongoing marketing and qualification process for graphite concentrate and spherical
graphite for international customers. Sales activities are intensifying with a first 2020
delivery already on the road (photo).
Establishment of the Matawinie project financing.
Continued integra tion of Upper Matawini e communities, namely Saint-Michel-des-
Saints, Saint-Zénon and the Atikamekw First Nation, in initiatives reconciling economic,
social and environmental development.
“While we built a strong foundation for our Company in 2019, 2020 will be a pivotal year for
us to deploy our business strategy in a concrete and productive way,” stated Eric Desaulniers,
President and CEO of Nouveau Monde. “Thanks to the expertise of our team and the
commitment of our business and community partners, we can start generating value for our
shareholders, employees and milieu.”
Overview of 2019
Major advances in all areas of Nouveau Monde’s business plan have put the Company in good
stead for 2020:
Offtake and joint marketing and agreement with Traxys Group for 25,000 tonnes of
flake graphite concentrate.
CA$22 million raised in combined capital, including a private placement with leading
global mining investor Pallinghurst Group for the operation of the existing flake
graphite plant, the construction of a demonstration VAP plant, and working capital.
Reinforcement of the executive and technical team to create a pool of outstanding
talents to meet the company’s challenges.
A CA$4.2 -million grant from the Sustainable Development Technology Canada
program to build a pilot plant for purified spherical graphite.
Signing of a predevelopment agreement with the Manawan Atikamekw Council and
the Atikamekw Nation Council.
Winner of the Quebec Mineral Explorati on Association’s Award of Excellence in
Sustainable Development
Advancement of NMG's VAP strategy with the purchase of micronization and
spheronization equipment for the demonstration plant.
Submission of the environmental and social impact study for the M atawinie project
and continuation of the environmental assessment process with the government.
Receipt of notice of admissibility initiating public hearings for the Matawinie project.
Start of detailed engineering to prepare for commercial operations for graphite
extraction and processing.
ABOUT Nouveau Monde Graphite
Nouveau Monde Graphite is developing the Matawinie graphite mining project, located in
Saint-Michel-des-Saints, 150 km north of Montréal, QC. At the end of 2018, the Company
published a Feasibility Study which revealed strong economics with projected graphite
concentrate production of 100,000 tonnes per year, with an average concentrate purity of
97%, over a 26-year period. Currently, Nouveau Monde operates a demonstration plant where
it produces concentrated flake graphite, which is being sent to potential North American and
international clients for the qualification of its products. In a perspective of vertical integration
within the electrical vehicle market, Nouveau Monde is planning a large -scale secondary
graphite transformation facility, catering to the needs of the booming lithium -ion battery
industry. Dedicated to high standards of sustainability, the Matawinie graphite project will be
the first of its kind to operate as an all-electric, low-carbon mine.
Media Investors
Julie Paquet
Director, Communications
450-757-8905 #140
Christina Lalli
Director, Investor Relations
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
generally, or the “About Nouveau Monde Graphite” paragraph which essentially describe the Corporation’s outlook
and objectives, constitu te “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 Corporation 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.
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 n o 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 Corporation 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 forwar d-looking statements, except to the extent required by
applicable law.
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Further information regarding Corporation is available in the SEDAR database (www.sedar.com) and on the
Corporation’s website at: www.NouveauMonde.ca