Nouveau Monde Graphite: 2020 Year in Review
December 17 2020 - 2:00AM
Nouveau Monde Graphite (“Nouveau Monde” or “the Company”) (TSXV:
NOU; OTCQX: NMGRF; Frankfurt: NM9) is pleased to have
delivered on its commitment to advance its vertically-integrated
graphite project in order to offer the electric vehicle (“EV”) and
renewable energy sectors, ethically-sourced and carbon-neutral,
lithium-ion battery (“LiB”) anode material by 2023.
Eric Desaulniers, the Company’s
President and CEO, stated: “2020 was a transformational
year for Nouveau Monde. We accomplished much in all departments,
R&D, sales & marketing, operations and corporate
development. I want to thank all of my team members and all
stakeholders, as it takes a lot of hard work and dedication to
transition the Company from a junior mining company with a natural
graphite deposit, to a fully-integrated, carbon-neutral, battery
anode materials producer. Thanks to the professionalism of the
entire team, I’m particularly proud that we were successful at
achieving very specific and important operational milestones at our
Saint-Michel-des-Saints plant safely, without injuries, while
maintaining our employees health during these difficult pandemic
times. By this time next year, the Company will look much
different: we will be operating our purification furnaces at
Bécancour, producing high-quality anode material destined to the EV
market; we will be in construction of the mine and commercial
facilities for the entire operation, and as for potential
partnerships, we are eager to advance discussions and complete a
partnership with a lead client in the LiB market. 2021 will be
another remarkable year.”
Selected milestones
-
In January, Nouveau Monde signed a collaboration and
benefit-sharing agreement with the Saint-Michel-des-Saints and
Upper Matawanie community. Recognising the importance of our local
stakeholders, the agreement is the most progressive of its kind in
Quebec’s history. The agreement covers the mine’s entire commercial
operating life and will see Nouveau Monde contribute up to 2% of
its net cash flow after taxes to the municipality to boost
community development and reinvestment. Nouveau Monde will also
contribute 1% of its net cash flow after taxes to a Community Fund
to stimulate developmental projects in Upper Matawinie that have a
social, economic and environmental impact during and beyond the
mine’s operating period. The bilateral agreement includes concrete
actions in the areas of training, employability and business
opportunities for the local population; the integration of the
mining project into the territory through recreation and tourism
development; and collaboration mechanisms to provide short-,
medium- and long-term benefits for the community.
-
In February, the Company successfully commissioned its
demonstration micronisation and spheronisation operations and
confirmed that the graphite concentrate from its Matawinie deposit
is attractive for use in lithium-ion batteries. This has been
confirmed through ongoing potential customer discussions for
pre-qualification.
-
Also in Q1, the Company announced an updated NI43-101
pit-constrained Mineral Resource Estimate for its West Zone
Deposit, located in the Tony Claim Block, which is part of its
flagship Matawinie graphite property, with an increase of 25% in
the combined Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource categories.
Matawinie has 120.3 million tonnes @ 4.26% Cg, and as the largest
graphite project in North America with significant expansion
potential in other Zones on the property, Nouveau Monde is
well-positioned to be a key supplier to meet the future growth of
the electric vehicle market.
-
In July, Nouveau Monde received a positive evaluation from the
Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement (“BAPE”) regarding
its Matawanie project, and all aspects including the economic,
environmental and social parameters developed by Nouveau Monde. The
report recognized the economic justification, environmental
innovations, integration measures and social benefits associated
with the mining project.
-
In September, Nouveau Monde announced sales across North America,
Europe and Asia, an important step in the commercialisation of our
advanced carbon-neutral materials. In response to growing
interaction with major EV companies and other major potential
customers, Nouveau Monde opened a European sales office, in London,
United Kingdom.
-
In October, Nouveau Monde announced two significant industry
partnerships. The first, a multi-phase partnership with global
chemical major, Olin Corporation, for its proprietary purification
demonstration plant in Bécancour that will be commissioned by
mid-2021, and later, for the commercial battery anode purification
operations in 2023, when significant global battery-grade natural
graphite shortages are expected to emerge. The second, a
collaboration with US-based Forge Nano, an advanced nano-coating
company backed by industry leaders such as Volkswagen, LG
Technology Ventures and Mutsui. Through the application of Forge
Nano’s proprietary Atomic Layer Deposition (“ALD”) coating
technology, we expect Nouveau Monde to be able to offer a premium
product to the lithium-ion battery market.
-
In November, Nouveau Monde was twice selected as a key partner by
the Quebec Government for its electrification and critical minerals
strategy. The first, as partner to the Quebec and Canadian
Governments to showcase all-electric open-pit mining equipment,
leveraging Quebec’s clean and affordable hydropower. The second, to
drive the implementation of the Global Battery Alliance’s (“GBA”)
Battery Passport principles in Quebec, guaranteeing the
traceability and sustainability of strategic minerals. The GBA
includes members such as Audi, BMW Group, Google, Groupe Renault,
Honda Motors, the International Energy Agency, LG Chem, Microsoft,
Mitsubishi Corp., Propulsion Québec, Saft, SK Innovation, the
United Nations Environment Programme, Umicore, Volkswagen, Volvo
Group and the project positions Nouveau Monde well for future
product commercialisation.
-
Throughout the year, Nouveau Monde showcased the results of its
world-leading research and development consortium. In September,
the Company announced an important technological breakthrough in
its silicon-enhanced graphite anode material with improved
performance characteristics. Then in November, the Company
announced its proprietary coating process had outperformed the
industry-leading Asian peers, establishing Nouveau Monde as a
future producer of advanced and premium battery anode
materials.
- Finally in
November, as a world first for open-pit mining, Nouveau Monde
delivered on its commitment to the exclusive use of all-electrical
equipment and vehicles in its mining operations; the Company
advanced its procurement process for its fleet and charging
infrastructure through an international call for pre-qualification,
which has already resulted in significant global interest from
high-profile industry participants.
As at December 16, Nouveau Monde had received
CAD$3,185,895 from the exercise of 9,195,414 options and warrants,
which is indicative of the strong share price performance as the
Company advances, and will further support development activities
in 2021.
Arne H. Frandsen, the Company’s
Chairman, stated: “I took over the Chairmanship in 2020,
and it is with pride I look back to the achievements of our highly
skilled team of world-class professionals. Through the
unprecedented year of uncertainty and pain caused by COVID 19, I
want, on behalf of the board, to thank all of our team members for
their exceptional contribution and continued dedication. Nouveau
Monde has demonstrated global leadership and innovation, as we
successfully move forward towards becoming a world-leader in high
quality responsibly-sourced green battery anode material. Please
accept our best wishes of a Merry Christmas and a healthy and
prosperous 2021.”
To read all of this year’s news releases, or to
subscribe to receive them, visit:
https://nouveaumonde.group/investors/#news
About Nouveau Monde
Nouveau Monde will be a key operator in the
sustainable energy revolution. The Company is developing the only
fully-integrated source of green battery anode material in the
Western World. Targeting full-scale commercial operations by early
2023, the Company will provide advanced carbon-neutral
graphite-based material solutions to the growing lithium-ion and
fuel cell markets. With low-cost operations and the highest of ESG
standards, Nouveau Monde will become a strategic supplier to the
World’s leading battery and auto manufacturers, ensuring robust and
reliable advanced material, while guaranteeing supply chain
traceability.
Media |
Investors |
|
|
Julie Paquet |
Christina Lalli |
Director,
Communications |
Director, Investor
Relations |
Nouveau Monde |
Nouveau Monde |
+1-450-757-8905 #140 |
+1-438-399-8665 |
jpaquet@nouveaumonde.ca |
clalli@nouveaumonde.ca
|
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, and (ii) generally, or the
“About Nouveau Monde” paragraph which essentially describe the
Corporation’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 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 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 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 forward-looking statements, except to the extent required
by applicable law.
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policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for
the adequacy or accuracy of this
release. Further information regarding
Corporation is available in the SEDAR database (www.sedar.com) and
on the Corporation’s website
at: www.NouveauMonde.ca
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