The Conseil des Atikamekw de Manawan, the Conseil de la Nation Atikamekw and Nouveau Monde Graphite Announce the Signing of a Pre-Development Agreement for the Matawinie Project
The Conseil des Atikamekw de Manawan, the Conseil de la Nation Atikamekw
and Nouveau Monde Graphite Announce the Signing of a Pre-Development
Agreement for the Matawinie Project
SAINT-MICHEL-DES-SAINTS, Québec, April 23, 2019 -- Mr. Paul-Émile Ottawa, Chief of the Conseil des Atikamekw de
Manawan ("CDAM") and Mr. Constant Awashish, Grand Chief of the Atikamekw Nation and Atikamekw Sipi (" CNA") and Mr.
Eric Desaulniers, President and CEO of Nouveau Monde Graphite Inc. (" Nouveau Monde ") (TSX Venture Exchange: NOU)
are proud to announce the signing of a Pre-Development Agreement (" PDA") for the Matawinie Project. The PDA outlines the
respective rights and interests of all parties with respect to pre-development activities, including those related to the
demonstration plant, and provides a guideline for negotiating an Impact and Benefit Agreement (" IBA") for the Matawinie
Project.
CDAM and CNA and NMG support the development of the demonstration plant in a manner that respects the environment,
sustainability principles, culture and lifestyle of the Atikamekw Nation. As part of the PDA, Nouveau Monde will provide
training, employment and business opportunities to members of the Atikamekw Nation, as well as establish a joint training
fund with the CDAM and the CNA.
All signatories to the PDA are committed to developing a positive and mutually beneficial relationship based on trust and
mutual respect and reconciling their respective interests in relation to the Matawinie Project envisioned by Nouveau Monde.
Accordingly, the PDA sets out the principles that will govern the discussions and negotiations leading to the conclusion of the
IBA for the Matawinie Project.
"The PDA is an important step in the evolution of our project and our relationship with the local communities in which we
operate. The PDA has set a collaborative tone for future negotiations and I look forward to continuing to work with our major
stakeholders," explains Eric Desaulniers, President and CEO of Nouveau Monde.
The CDAM Chief, Paul-Émile Ottawa commented, "The PDA formalizes the existing respectful and lasting relationship
between Nouveau Monde and the community of Manawan". CNA Grand Chief, Constant Awashish added, "The PDA is the
blueprint for future discussions between Nouveau Monde and the Atikamekw Nation regarding the development of the
Matawinie Project."
ABOUT THE CONSEIL DES ATIKAMEKW DE MANAWAN
The CDAM is composed of Chief Paul-Émile Ottawa and six (6) councillors respectively elected in the customary manner by
the Manawan Atikamekw, and he acts on behalf of all members of that community. The Manawan community is located 120
kilometres west of La Tuque and 72 kilometres north of Saint-Michel-des-Saints, on the south shore of the Métabeskéga Lake.
ABOUT THE CONSEIL DE LA NATION ATIKAMEKW
Founded in 1982, the CNA is a non-profit organization that sprang from the will of Manawan Atikamekw, Opitciwan and
Wemotaci councils to unite for the negotiation of the comprehensive land claim of the Atikamekw Nation in the territory that
the council appoint the "Nitaskinan". In parallel, the CNA is actively negotiating an agreement in principle with the Canadian
and Quebecois governments in view of a treaty signing. The CNA also offers programs and services to the entire Atikamekw
population. As a tribal council, the CNA dispenses counselling services such as technical services and council in economic
development management. Other delegated public services are also offered such as social services and educational, linguistic
and cultural services. The CNA also plays a political role that supports and promotes historical, political, economic, cultural
and social aspirations of the Atikamekw Nation.
ABOUT NOUVEAU MONDE GRAPHITE
In 2015, Nouveau Monde Graphite discovered a major and high-quality graphite deposit on its Matawinie property, located in
Saint-Michel-des-Saints, 150 km North of Montréal. This discovery led to the completion of a Feasibility Study, the results of
which were announced on October 24, 2018. The Feasibility Study revealed strong economics with projected graphite
concentrate production level of 100,000 tonnes per year over a 26-year period. Nouveau Monde will operate its demonstration
plant until 2020. During this period, Nouveau Monde expects the production of 2,000 tonnes of concentrated flake graphite to
qualify its products with North American and international clients.
Moreover, in a vertical integration and sustainable development perspective, Nouveau Monde is planning the establishment of a
large-scale graphite downstream transformation facility, catering to the needs of the booming lithium-ion battery market. With
over 60 years of experience in the world of graphite, Nouveau Monde’s team develops its project with the utmost respect of
neighboring communities, while favoring a minimal ecological footprint. Nouveau Monde’s project is privileged by direct access
to the workforce and infrastructure needed to operate its mining project, and it can also rely on an abundant, affordable and
renewable source of hydroelectricity.
For more information :
Éric Desaulniers
President & CEO
Tel: +1 (819) 923-0333
Tristan Menard
Director, Capital Markets
Tel: +1 (514) 296-6339
www.nouveaumonde.ca
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