+ NMG is dedicated to creating the asset in shut collaboration with the Innu First Nation of Pessamit.
+ As for its present operations, NMG is dedicated to selling best-practice environmental evaluation, ecoengineering, and stakeholder engagement.
+ Acquisition to place NMG as a number one graphite producer with 100% possession in North America’s two largest and most superior projected pure graphite operations leveraging its educated workforce of over 100 workers, operational Part-1 amenities, and clear extraction and processing applied sciences.
+ Graphite demand for lithium-ion batteries is projected to develop to greater than 10 million tonnes each year by the tip of the last decade, a 537% enhance in response to Benchmark Mineral Intelligence with a good portion inside North America the place a transparent unbalanced provide and demand state of affairs is anticipated (December 2023).
+ With at present’s transaction, NMG may have the flexibility to service clients for many years to return with battery-grade graphite extracted and refined with the unique use of hydropower, positioning the Firm as a beautiful, ESG-driven, and distinctive strategic supply.
Nouveau Monde Graphite Inc. (“NMG” or the “Firm”) ( NYSE: NMG , TSX.V: NOU ) has entered into an asset buy settlement with Mason Assets Inc. (“Mason”) ( TSX.V: LLG , OTCQX: MGPHF ) for the acquisition of all the Lac Guéret Property, focused for the growth of the Uatnan Mining Challenge . The transaction strengthens the Firm’s long-term imaginative and prescient to be a dominant pressure within the provide of carbon-neutral anode materials for the Western market. NMG’s lively business discussions with tier-1 battery and electrical car (“EV”) producers, together with Panasonic Vitality Co., Ltd. (“Panasonic Vitality”), an entirely owned subsidiary of Panasonic Holdings Company (“Panasonic”) ( TYO: 6752 ), affirm the sturdy projected demand by battery supplies analysts for graphite. This acquisition of one other main asset in Québec, Canada, reinforces NMG’s totally vertically built-in manufacturing mannequin in North America with the best ESG requirements of the trade, as validated by Benchmark Mineral Intelligence’s Sustainability Index .
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Map of NMG’s property in Québec, Canada: the projected Matawinie Mine, Bécancour Battery Materials Plant and Uatnan Mining Challenge. (Graphic: Enterprise Wire)
Arne H Frandsen, Chair of NMG, declared: “With its very massive, high-quality pure graphite deposit, the acquisition of the Lac Guéret deposit represents a strategically necessary transfer by NMG. This addition of a world-class asset to NMG’s portfolio of sources, underpins the Firm’s development prospects and business attractiveness. It additionally places us in a novel place within the international battery supplies area. Our management and robust technical groups are trying ahead to the good additional growth of the Lac Guéret asset, totally synchronized with NMG’s present execution plans. We additionally warmly welcome Mason as a shareholder of NMG as we construct a pioneering – and presumably the most important! – built-in pure graphite manufacturing within the Western World.”
Eric Desaulniers, Founder, President and CEO of NMG, mentioned: ” In gentle of economic discussions for our Part-2 manufacturing out of the Matawinie Mine and Bécancour Battery Materials Plant, we’re assured within the present and future demand for ethically sourced and environmentally produced graphite-based anode materials. NMG is about to match the sustained market development with a sturdy enlargement plan now secured within the Uatnan Mining Challenge. Uitshi-atussemitutau – NMG aspires to work along with the Innu First Nation of Pessamit – is our imaginative and prescient for the event of this venture. We’re dedicated to a powerful involvement of the First Nation and lively engagement with the area’s neighborhood and stakeholders to make sure a accountable and sustainable growth. ”
Asset Buy Settlement
NMG has agreed to amass 100% of Mason’s Lac Guéret Property, which consists amongst different issues of 74 map-designated claims totalling 3,999.52 hectares. The consideration for the acquisition of the Lac Guéret Property is payable in 6,208,210 widespread shares of NMG, representing 9.25% of the professional forma issued and excellent shares of NMG, to be issued to Mason upon the closing of the transaction. A subsequent cost of $5,000,000 might be made to Mason in the beginning of economic manufacturing of the contemplated Uatnan Mining Challenge. 3,104,105 of the widespread shares of NMG to be issued in reference to the transaction might be topic to a lock-up for a interval of 12 months and the remaining 3,104,105 widespread shares of NMG might be topic to a lock-up of 18 months. The shares of NMG will even be topic to a four-month maintain interval pursuant to Canadian securities legal guidelines.
Closing of the transaction is predicted to happen on or earlier than January 31, 2024, and is topic to sure customary circumstances, together with the receipt of the ultimate approval from the TSX Enterprise Trade.
The asset buy settlement supersedes and terminates the beforehand introduced funding settlement and possibility and three way partnership settlement between NMG and Mason .
Deliberate Growth of the Uatnan Mining Challenge
NMG revealed in 2023 a preliminary financial evaluation (“PEA”), in response to Nationwide Instrument 43-101 Requirements of Disclosure for Mineral Tasks, for the Uatnan Mining Challenge . The PEA, carried out by engineering companies BBA Inc. and GoldMinds Geoservices Inc., confirmed sturdy economics for NMG’s up to date operational parameters and manufacturing volumes focusing on the manufacturing of roughly 500,000 tonnes of graphite focus each year over a 24-year lifetime of mine (“LOM”).
Desk 1: Operational Parameters of the Uatnan Mining Challenge
OPERATIONAL PARAMETERS |
|
LOM |
24 years |
Nominal annual processing charge |
3.4 M tonnes |
Stripping ratio (LOM) |
1.3:1 |
Common grade (LOM) |
17.5% Cg |
Common graphite restoration |
85% |
Common annual graphite focus manufacturing (LOM) |
500,000 tonnes |
Completed product purity |
94% Cg |
The PEA is preliminary in nature and contains Inferred Mineral Assets, thought-about too speculative geologically to have the financial issues utilized to them that will allow them to be categorized as Mineral Reserves, and there’s no certainty that the PEA might be realized. Mineral sources that aren’t mineral reserves haven’t demonstrated financial viability. Extra trenching and/or drilling might be required to transform inferred mineral sources to indicated or measured mineral sources. There isn’t a certainty that the sources growth, manufacturing, and financial forecasts on which this PEA relies might be realized.
Desk 2: Financial Highlights of the Uatnan Mining Challenge
ECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS |
Uatnan Mining Challenge |
Pre-tax NPV (8% low cost charge) |
C$ 3,613 M |
After-tax NPV (8 % low cost charge) |
C$ 2,173 M |
Pre-tax IRR |
32.6% |
After-tax IRR |
25.9% |
Pre-tax payback |
2.8 years |
After-tax payback |
3.2 years |
Preliminary CAPEX |
C$ 1,417 M |
Sustaining CAPEX |
C$ 147 M |
LOM OPEX |
C$ 3,236 M |
Annual OPEX |
C$ 135 M |
OPEX per tonne of graphite focus |
C$ 268/tonne |
Focus promoting value |
US$ 1,100/tonne |
All prices are in Canadian {dollars} except for the graphite sale value which is supplied in US {dollars}.
Desk 3: Present Pit-Constrained Mineral Useful resource Estimate
IN-PIT CONSTRAINED MINERAL RESOURCES |
Tonnes (Mt) |
Grade (% Cg) |
Cg (Mt) |
Measured |
19.02 |
17.9 |
3.40 |
Indicated |
46.62 |
16.9 |
7.89 |
Complete Measured + Indicated |
65.64 |
17.2 |
11.30 |
Inferred |
17.82 |
17.2 |
3.07 |
Notes :
- The Mineral Assets supplied on this desk have been estimated by M. Rachidi P.Geo., and C. Duplessis, Eng., (QPs) of GoldMinds Geoservices Inc., utilizing present Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) Requirements on Mineral Assets and Reserves, Definitions and Tips.
- Mineral Assets which aren’t Mineral Reserves do not need demonstrated financial viability. The estimate of Mineral Assets could also be materially affected by environmental, allowing, authorized, title, market or different related points. The amount and grade of reported Inferred Mineral Assets are unsure in nature and there has not been enough work to outline these Inferred Mineral Assets as indicated or Measured Mineral Assets. There isn’t a certainty that any a part of a Mineral Useful resource will ever be transformed into Mineral Reserves.
- The Mineral Assets offered right here have been estimated with a block dimension of 3mE x 3mN x 3mZ. The blocks have been interpolated from equal-length composites (3 m) calculated from the mineralized intervals.
- The Mineral Useful resource estimate was accomplished utilizing the inverse distance to the sq. methodology using three runs. For run 1, the variety of composites was restricted to 10 with a most of two composites from the identical drillhole. For runs two and three the variety of composites was restricted to 10 with a most of 1 composite from the identical drillhole.
- The Measured Mineral Assets categorised utilizing a minimal of 4 drillholes. Indicated sources categorised utilizing a minimal of two drillholes. The Inferred Mineral Assets have been categorised by a minimal of 1 drillholes.
- Tonnage estimates are primarily based on a hard and fast density of two.9 t/m 3 .
- Mineral Assets are said at a cut-off grade of 5.75% C(g).
The Uatnan Mining Challenge lies inside Nitassinan, the Innu of Pessamit’s ancestral territory, and the Rivière-aux-Outardes municipality positioned within the Côte-Nord administrative area, Québec, Canada, roughly 220 km because the crow flies, north northwest of the city of Baie-Comeau. The Uatnan Mining Challenge is accessible by street 389 after which by following Class 1 forestry roads.
Sustainability is heart to NMG’s worth proposition and might be mirrored within the subsequent section of labor because the Firm prioritizes the signature of a pre-development settlement with the Innu First Nation of Pessamit. The Firm plans to keep up a clear dialogue with the First Nation because it advances the venture growth to make sure the respect of their rights, the safety of the atmosphere, their tradition and lifestyle, in addition to the inclusion of their perspective, and conventional data.
As NMG’s crew expands its relationships with the First Nation, the neighborhood and native stakeholders, the Firm will put together for subsequent research to advance the Uatnan Mining Challenge. NMG has already mapped out an in depth workplan to allow the preparation of a feasibility research, together with on-site fauna and flora inventories, geological surveys, environmental research, influence evaluation, stakeholder session, and many others. True to its practices in creating the Matawinie Mine, NMG is dedicated to a accountable, sustainable, and inclusive course of to carry the Uatnan Mining Challenge from alternative to engineering, building and business manufacturing.
NMG will leverage its crew of over 100 workers from all specialties – from metallurgy and atmosphere to mining, analysis and growth, and gross sales – plus its operational Part-1 focus and processing amenities to assist the event of the Uatnan Mining Challenge.
Market Underpinnings
NMG’s acquisition of the Lac Guéret Property goals at securing the asset in view of the rising demand for domestically produced pure graphite and the Firm’s deliberate Part-3 enlargement to provide the Western market.
Pushed by development in electrical automobiles, vitality storage methods and different clear know-how purposes, graphite demand for lithium-ion batteries is projected to achieve to over 10 million tonnes each year by 2030, a 537% enhance in response to Benchmark Mineral Intelligence’s (December 2023) newest market evaluation.
In late 2023, China and the U.S. have sharpened their respective commerce devices focusing on graphite supplies. China now enforces restrictions on Chinese language graphite supplies exports. The U.S. Authorities has indicated that battery materials sourced from China and different international entities of concern won’t be eligible for EV tax credit below the Inflation Discount Act. These current political developments reaffirm the significance of building of an area, resilient, and ESG-compliant provide chain of graphite to assist battery and EV manufacturing.
NMG is projected to turn out to be the most important pure graphite producer in North America, totally built-in from ore to anode materials, and with demonstrated sustainability efficiency.
Scientific and technical info offered on this press launch was reviewed and accepted by Eric Desaulniers, MSc, P.Geo., a Certified Individual as outlined below NI 43-101.
About Nouveau Monde Graphite
Nouveau Monde Graphite is striving to turn out to be a key contributor to the sustainable vitality revolution. The Firm is working in direction of creating a totally built-in supply of carbon-neutral battery anode materials in Québec, Canada, for the rising lithium-ion and gas cell markets. With enviable ESG requirements, NMG aspires to turn out to be a strategic provider to the world’s main battery and car producers, offering high-performing and dependable superior supplies whereas selling sustainability and provide chain traceability. www.NMG.com
About Mason Assets
Mason Assets Inc. is a Canadian company centered on in search of funding alternatives. Mason is the most important shareholder of Black Swan Graphene Inc. (“Black Swan”) (TSX.V: SWAN) (OTCQB: BSWGF) specializing in the large-scale manufacturing of patented high-performance and low-cost graphene merchandise aimed toward a number of industrial sectors, together with concrete and polymers, that are anticipated to require massive volumes of graphene and, in flip, massive volumes of graphite. Black Swan goals at leveraging Québec’s rising graphite trade to determine an built-in provide chain. In 2023, Black Swan, Nationwide Engineering Analysis & Growth Ltd., and Arup Group Ltd. introduced strategic partnerships and, in 2024, Black Swan introduced a business settlement with Hubron Worldwide Ltd. Black Swan’s graphene processing know-how was developed over the span of a decade by Thomas Swan & Co. Ltd., a United Kingdom-based international chemical substances producer, with a century-long observe document. For extra info: www.masonresourcesinc.com and www.blackswangraphene.com .
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Cautionary Be aware
All statements, apart from statements of historic reality, contained on this press launch together with, however not restricted to these describing the closing of the transaction, the outcomes of the PEA, traits in laws, shopper preferences, and trade requirements, NMG’s efficiency with respect to the initiatives described on this press launch, the character of relationships with stakeholders akin to the local people together with the Innu First Nation of Pessamit, future demand for batteries and graphite, the supposed manufacturing of carbon-neutral anode materials, Mineral Useful resource estimates (together with assumptions and estimates utilized in getting ready the Mineral Useful resource estimates), the final enterprise and operational outlook of the Firm, the Firm’s future development and enterprise prospects, the Firm’s ESG commitments, initiatives and targets, the Firm’s purpose to turn out to be the most important pure graphite producer in North America and people statements that are mentioned below the “About Nouveau Monde” paragraph and elsewhere within the press launch which basically describe the Firm’s outlook and targets, represent “forward-looking info” or “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) throughout the which means of Canadian and United States securities legal guidelines, and are primarily based on expectations, estimates and projections as of the time of this press launch. Ahead-looking statements are essentially primarily based upon numerous estimates and assumptions that, whereas thought-about cheap by the Firm as of the time of such statements, are inherently topic to important enterprise, financial and aggressive uncertainties and contingencies. These estimates and assumptions could show to be incorrect. Furthermore, these forward-looking statements have been primarily based upon varied underlying elements and assumptions, together with the present technological traits, the enterprise relationship between the Firm and its stakeholders, the flexibility to function in a protected and efficient method, the well timed supply and set up at estimated costs of the gear supporting the manufacturing, assumed sale costs for graphite focus, the accuracy of any Mineral Useful resource estimates, future foreign money change charges and rates of interest, political and regulatory stability, costs of commodity and manufacturing prices, the receipt of governmental, regulatory and third social gathering approvals, licenses and permits on favorable phrases, sustained labor stability, stability in monetary and capital markets, availability of kit and important provides, spare elements and consumables, the assorted tax assumptions, CAPEX and OPEX estimates, all financial and operational projections regarding the venture, native infrastructures, the Firm’s enterprise prospects and alternatives and estimates of the operational efficiency of the gear, and aren’t ensures of future efficiency.
Ahead-looking statements are topic to identified or unknown dangers and uncertainties that will trigger precise outcomes to vary materially from these anticipated or implied within the forward-looking statements. Threat elements that would trigger precise outcomes or occasions to vary materially from present expectations embrace, amongst others, these dangers, delays within the scheduled supply occasions of the gear, the flexibility of the Firm to efficiently implement its strategic initiatives and whether or not such strategic initiatives will yield the anticipated advantages, the provision of financing or financing on favorable phrases for the Firm, the dependence on commodity costs, the influence of inflation on prices, the dangers of acquiring the mandatory permits, the working efficiency of the Firm’s property and companies, aggressive elements within the graphite mining and manufacturing trade, modifications in legal guidelines and rules affecting the Firm’s companies, together with the modifications in China’s coverage concerning restrictions on Chinese language graphite supplies exportations, political and social acceptability danger, environmental regulation danger, foreign money and change charge danger, technological developments, the impacts of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic and the governments’ responses thereto, and common financial circumstances, in addition to earnings, capital expenditure, money movement and capital construction dangers and common enterprise dangers. An extra description of dangers and uncertainties could be present in NMG’s Annual Info Type dated March 23, 2023, together with within the part thereof captioned “Threat Elements”, which is offered on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov . Unpredictable or unknown elements not mentioned on this Cautionary Be aware may even have materials antagonistic results on forward-looking statements.
Many of those uncertainties and contingencies can immediately or not directly have an effect on, and will trigger, precise outcomes to vary materially from these expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements. There could be no assurance that forward-looking statements will show to be correct, as precise outcomes and future occasions may differ materially from these anticipated in such statements. Ahead-looking statements are supplied for the aim of offering details about administration’s expectations and plans regarding the long run. The Firm disclaims any intention or obligation to replace or revise any forward-looking statements or to elucidate any materials distinction between subsequent precise occasions and such forward-looking statements, besides to the extent required by relevant legislation.
The market and trade information contained on this press launch relies upon info from impartial trade publications, market analysis, analyst studies and surveys and different publicly accessible sources. Though the Firm believes these sources to be usually dependable, market and trade information is topic to interpretation and can’t be verified with full certainty resulting from limits on the provision and reliability of uncooked information, the voluntary nature of the data-gathering course of and different limitations and uncertainties inherent in any survey. The Firm has not independently verified any of the information from third-party sources referred to on this press launch and accordingly, the accuracy and completeness of such information isn’t assured.
Neither the TSX Enterprise Trade nor its Regulation Providers Supplier (as that time period is outlined within the insurance policies of the TSX Enterprise Trade) accepts accountability for the adequacy or accuracy of this launch.
Additional info concerning the Firm is offered within the SEDAR+ database ( www.sedarplus.ca ), and for United States readers on EDGAR ( www.sec.gov ), and on the Firm’s web site at: www.NMG.com
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MEDIA
Julie Paquet
VP Communications & ESG Technique
+1-450-757-8905 #140
jpaquet@nmg.com
INVESTORS
Marc Jasmin
Director, Investor Relations
+1-450-757-8905 #993
mjasmin@nmg.com