» Nouveau Monde’s phase-1 Bécancour purification facility has
produced battery-grade SPG demonstrating the performance of its
proprietary ecotechnology with large scale samples produced at
99.99% purity
» Construction of phase-1 coating line is progressing on time
and on budget with a commissioning start scheduled during
Q1-2022
» Civil works are progressing at the phase-2 large scale
Matawinie mining project with the 7.8 km access road that will be
substantially completed before year end and civil works on the
industrial platform advancing on budget and on time to support the
advancement of detailed engineering with consultant SNC-Lavalin
» Nouveau Monde’s integrated business model will be reflected in
the ongoing 43-101 feasibility study being prepared by BBA for the
phase-2 Bécancour battery material plant to update planning, cost
projection, and development framework in a unified structure with
the Matawinie mining project
» Commercial discussions are progressing well as a result of the
availability of battery-grade samples, Nouveau Monde’s active
engagement, and favorable market trends
» Nouveau Monde will be present at the EU Battery Show to
promote its green anode material and help European lithium-ion
battery manufacturers secure their supply
» Committed to industry-leading sustainability principles,
Nouveau Monde released its inaugural ESG Report providing
shareholders, potential customers, and stakeholders with
performance overview as per international standards
Nouveau Monde Graphite Inc. (“Nouveau Monde” or the “Company”)
(NYSE: NMG, TSXV: NOU) is making steady progress along its critical
path to develop its fully vertically integrated value chain of
anode material, from ore to battery materials, leveraging its
Matawinie graphite deposit, proprietary green beneficiation
technologies, access to robust infrastructure and clean hydropower,
as well as an excellent location at the doorstep of North American
and European markets.
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Aerial view of the Matawinie mining
project construction site; the access road to be operational by the
end of Q4-2021. (Photo: Business Wire)
Arne H Frandsen, Chairman of Nouveau Monde, commented:
“Nouveau Monde’s disciplined advancement is ideally timed to
address the marketplace’s ever-growing demand and capitalize on
commitments, regulation, and private capital that are being
channeled to attain the Paris Agreement objectives. I am confident
that we are delivering an excellent balance in terms of
competitiveness, sustainability, and business growth to position
the Company as a turn-key solution provider to the electric
vehicles (“EVs”) and energy storage sectors.”
Battery-Grade Anode Material
Nouveau Monde completed construction of the phase-1 Bécancour
purification facility on budget and with limited timeline impact
following delays in equipment deliveries. In the final stages of
commissioning, the Company has produced batches that demonstrate
the performance of Nouveau Monde’s proprietary ecotechnology and
the high battery-grade quality of spherical purified graphite
(“SPG”).
The material has been tested at Nouveau Monde’s new
state-of-the-art laboratory and a third-party mineral R&D
center, confirming purity of +99.99%, well above the level required
for energy applications. Loss on ignition (“LOI”) was carried out
based on ASTM standard test method C561–16, and ICP analysis of
critical elements like iron and nickel showed results at below 1
ppm.
The Company has submitted a patent application to safeguard its
intellectual property rights in regard to this thermochemical
purification technology, a greener alternative, free of
hydrofluoric acid, to that currently used in the traditional anode
material production.
Preparation is underway at the Company’s demonstration plant to
double its phase-1 shaping production and build a phase-1 coating
module. Both beneficiation units are scheduled for construction and
commissioning in H1-2022 to provide Nouveau Monde’s sales team with
up to 2,000 tpa of anode material to support production
qualification and commercial discussions with battery and EVs
manufacturers.
In addition, Nouveau Monde continues the FEL-3 feasibility study
for the large scale phase 2 Bécancour battery material plant
regrouping operations of all processing steps. Considering the
Company’s development of advanced manufacturing of anode material
to cater to the accelerating lithium-ion batteries market (see the
“Escalating Market Trends” section below), the study will reflect
Nouveau Monde’s integrated business model for a comprehensive
planning, cost projection, and development framework. The Matawinie
mining project’s National Instrument 43-101 feasibility study
covering the West Zone deposit will be updated on the back of the
latest mineral resource update and the value-added transformation
steps that are part of the Bécancour battery material plant. Upon
completion of the study, Nouveau Monde intends to transition to the
execution phase and to sequence construction timelines of the
phase-2 mine and battery material plant.
Civil Works at Matawinie Mining Project
Construction of the Matawinie mining project’s nearly 8-km
access road is on time and on budget, with works completed at 70%.
Civil works for the industrial platform has started and will
continue in 2022. In parallel, concentrator and building
engineering for process, electrical, structural, piping, and layout
are finalized to prepare the plans and specifications. The tailings
deposition plan, water management infrastructure and mining
equipment selection are progressing ahead of the next stages of
preparatory work.
In parallel, Nouveau Monde and Caterpillar’s technical teams are
collaborating to plan the development, testing, and deployment of
Cat® zero-emission machines for the all-electric mining fleet.
Continued Sales Engagement
In its efforts to negotiate a long-term cornerstone supply
agreement, the Company is thus far engaged in commercial
discussions and/or has signed MoUs and NDAs with manufacturers
whose total projected yearly production capacity represent over 1
TWh by 2030, that would correspondingly require over 1 million
tonnes per annum of battery-grade graphite. Nouveau Monde’s phase-1
operations support technical marketing and product qualification
efforts thanks to samples provided to potential customers as part
of these discussions.
Nouveau Monde recently joined the marketplace at North America’s
largest and most comprehensive advanced battery manufacturing
event, The Battery Show. The Company will be present at the
upcoming European edition, in Germany, scheduled November 30 to
December 2, 2021, to position its ex-China green supply of anode
material in this booming market. Nouveau Monde will present the
latest results of its hydrofluoric acid-free purified anode
material as well as the latest electrochemical test results on its
graphite at its booth #232 (hall 8). Nouveau Monde is striving to
provide solutions to the European lithium-ion battery market
looking for security of supply, guaranteed material traceability,
competitive pricing, and low CO2 footprint anode material. Visitors
can organize a meeting by contacting Jean-Luc Cialdini, Business
Development Director for Europe, at jlcialdini@nmg.com.
Corporate Development & Sustainability
Committed to its zero-harm philosophy, Nouveau Monde maintains
the focus on environmental, health, and safety performance at its
operational sites, with special attention to the start of civil
works at the Matawinie mining project and the commissioning of the
phase-1 Bécancour purification facility.
As sustainable funds saw their combined assets climb to $3.9
trillion at the end of Q3-2021 (Morningstar, October 2021), Nouveau
Monde published its inaugural Environmental, Social and Governance
(“ESG”) Report to provide an overview of Nouveau Monde’s core
commitments, anchor initiatives, and performance indicators to
shareholders and asset managers.
Eric Desaulniers, Founder, President, and CEO of Nouveau
Monde, added: “We are developing our carbon-neutral operations
on a foundation of transparency and superior environmental, social,
and governance standards. We believe consumers and manufacturers
alike are seeking high-performing solutions that are extracted and
transformed responsibly. Nouveau Monde’s strong commitment in this
regard, from inception, represents a vantage for engagement with
communities, governments, capital markets, and customers.”
At September 30, 2021, the Company had more than $81M CA in
cash, which is sufficient to support its current operations and the
advancement of its key projects.
Escalating Market Trends
Scientists and the international community are increasingly
aligning efforts and funds to transition to net zero by 2050 in
order to mitigate the effects of the climate crisis. The push for
electrification as part of decarbonization goals translate into
favorable market conditions for Nouveau Monde’s carbon-neutral
anode material.
Demand outlook for anode manufacturing is mounting to meet the
projected 4,625 GWh of global lithium-ion battery production
capacity in the pipeline by 2030, a 13% increase since the end of
Q2-2021 (Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, October 2021). October
announcements from battery manufacturers totaled 430,000 tpa of new
anode production capacity, elevating the global projection to
5,030,700 tpa.
Representing +95% of the anode, graphite is the most controlled
mineral of all battery materials, with China currently producing
100% of the global spherical graphite supply. Graphite prices
continue to rise as a result of energy shortages in some Chinese
provinces and major logistics disruptions (Roskill, October 2021).
These price increases are a reminder of the importance of
establishing strong partnerships with reliable and local suppliers
such as Nouveau Monde to mitigate that risk.
Projected to be the largest and most advanced natural graphite
operation in North America, Nouveau Monde is carrying out its
de-risked phased development plan to build a localized, turn-key,
and carbon-neutral alternative to Chinese supply.
About Nouveau Monde
Nouveau Monde is striving to become a key contributor to the
sustainable energy revolution. The Company is working towards
developing a fully integrated source of carbon-neutral battery
anode material in Québec, Canada for the growing lithium-ion and
fuel cell markets. With low-cost operations and enviable ESG
standards, Nouveau Monde aspires to become a strategic supplier to
the world’s leading battery and automobile manufacturers, providing
high-performing and reliable advanced materials while promoting
sustainability and supply chain traceability. www.NMG.com
Subscribe to our news feed: https://NMG.com/investors/#news
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information
All statements, other than statements of historical fact,
contained in this press release including, but not limited to those
describing the progress of the Company’s projects within budget,
the feasibility study of the phase-2 Bécancour battery material
plant, including the Company’s integrated business model, the
progress of commercial discussions, including the entering into a
cornerstone supply agreement, market trends and conditions, the
Company’s presence at the EU Battery Show, demand outlook for anode
manufacturing, the efforts of different sectors to achieve the
Paris Agreement’s goals and net-zero, the doubling of the phase-1
shaping production and the construction of the phase-1 coating
module, the timeline and the expected output regarding same, the
update of the 43-101 feasibility study and the steps that follow
its completion, the electrification of the mining pit, the total
projected yearly production capacity of potential business
partners, the solutions the Company can provide to the European
lithium-ion battery market, the Company’s commitments towards ESG
principles, the Company’s forecast to become the largest and most
advanced natural graphite operation in North America, 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”
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 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 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
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,
political and social acceptability risk, environmental regulation
risk, currency and exchange rate risk, technological developments,
the impacts of the global COVID-19 pandemic and the governments’
responses thereto, and general economic conditions, as well as
earnings, capital expenditure, cash flow and capital structure
risks and general business risks. 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.
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.sedar.com), and
for United States readers on EDGAR (www.sec.gov), and on the Company’s website at:
www.NMG.com
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211116005633/en/
Julie Paquet VP Communications & ESG Strategy
+1-450-757-8905 #140 jpaquet@nmg.com
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