+ 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 services, 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 top of the last decade, a 537% improve in accordance with 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 as we speak’s transaction, NMG may have the power to service clients for many years to come back 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 Sources Inc. (“Mason”) ( TSX.V: LLG , OTCQX: MGPHF ) for the acquisition of your complete Lac Guéret Property, focused for the improvement of the Uatnan Mining Challenge . The transaction strengthens the Firm’s long-term imaginative and prescient to be a dominant power within the provide of carbon-neutral anode materials for the Western market. NMG’s energetic business discussions with tier-1 battery and electrical car (“EV”) producers, together with Panasonic Power Co., Ltd. (“Panasonic Power”), an entirely owned subsidiary of Panasonic Holdings Company (“Panasonic”) ( TYO: 6752 ), verify 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 very best ESG requirements of the business, as validated by Benchmark Mineral Intelligence’s Sustainability Index .
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Map of NMG’s belongings 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 vital transfer by NMG. This addition of a world-class asset to NMG’s portfolio of assets, underpins the Firm’s development prospects and business attractiveness. It additionally places us in a singular place within the world battery supplies area. Our management and powerful technical groups are trying ahead to the sensible additional improvement 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 probably the most important! – built-in pure graphite manufacturing within the Western World.”
Eric Desaulniers, Founder, President and CEO of NMG, mentioned: ” In mild of business 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 ready to match the sustained market development with a strong growth 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 undertaking. We’re dedicated to a powerful involvement of the First Nation and energetic engagement with the area’s group and stakeholders to make sure a accountable and sustainable improvement. ”
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 fee of $5,000,000 might be made to Mason initially of business 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 may even be topic to a four-month maintain interval pursuant to Canadian securities legal guidelines.
Closing of the transaction is anticipated 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 choice 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 accordance with Nationwide Instrument 43-101 Requirements of Disclosure for Mineral Tasks, for the Uatnan Mining Challenge . The PEA, performed by engineering companies BBA Inc. and GoldMinds Geoservices Inc., confirmed sturdy economics for NMG’s up to date operational parameters and manufacturing volumes concentrating 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 price |
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 Sources, thought of too speculative geologically to have the financial concerns 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 assets that aren’t mineral reserves haven’t demonstrated financial viability. Further trenching and/or drilling might be required to transform inferred mineral assets to indicated or measured mineral assets. There isn’t a certainty that the assets improvement, 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 price) |
C$ 3,613 M |
After-tax NPV (8 % low cost price) |
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} excluding the graphite sale value which is offered 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 |
Whole Measured + Indicated |
65.64 |
17.2 |
11.30 |
Inferred |
17.82 |
17.2 |
3.07 |
Notes :
- The Mineral Sources offered on this desk had 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 Sources and Reserves, Definitions and Pointers.
- Mineral Sources which aren’t Mineral Reserves would not have demonstrated financial viability. The estimate of Mineral Sources could also be materially affected by environmental, allowing, authorized, title, market or different related points. The amount and grade of reported Inferred Mineral Sources are unsure in nature and there has not been ample work to outline these Inferred Mineral Sources as indicated or Measured Mineral Sources. There isn’t a certainty that any a part of a Mineral Useful resource will ever be transformed into Mineral Reserves.
- The Mineral Sources offered right here had been estimated with a block measurement of 3mE x 3mN x 3mZ. The blocks had 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 Sources categorized utilizing a minimal of 4 drillholes. Indicated assets categorized utilizing a minimal of two drillholes. The Inferred Mineral Sources had been categorized by a minimal of 1 drillholes.
- Tonnage estimates are based mostly on a set density of two.9 t/m 3 .
- Mineral Sources are acknowledged 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 highway 389 after which by following Class 1 forestry roads.
Sustainability is middle to NMG’s worth proposition and might be mirrored within the subsequent part 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 undertaking improvement 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 information.
As NMG’s group expands its relationships with the First Nation, the group 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, impression evaluation, stakeholder session, and so on. True to its practices in creating the Matawinie Mine, NMG is dedicated to a accountable, sustainable, and inclusive course of to convey the Uatnan Mining Challenge from alternative to engineering, development and business manufacturing.
NMG will leverage its group of over 100 workers from all specialties – from metallurgy and atmosphere to mining, analysis and improvement, and gross sales – plus its operational Part-1 focus and processing services to help 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 regionally produced pure graphite and the Firm’s deliberate Part-3 growth to produce the Western market.
Pushed by development in electrical autos, power storage techniques and different clear know-how purposes, graphite demand for lithium-ion batteries is projected to succeed in to over 10 million tonnes each year by 2030, a 537% improve in accordance with Benchmark Mineral Intelligence’s (December 2023) newest market evaluation.
In late 2023, China and the U.S. have sharpened their respective commerce devices concentrating 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 is not going to be eligible for EV tax credit beneath 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 help battery and EV manufacturing.
NMG is projected to change into 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 data offered on this press launch was reviewed and accredited by Eric Desaulniers, MSc, P.Geo., a Certified Individual as outlined beneath NI 43-101.
About Nouveau Monde Graphite
Nouveau Monde Graphite is striving to change into a key contributor to the sustainable power revolution. The Firm is working in direction of creating a completely 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 change into 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 Sources
Mason Sources Inc. is a Canadian company centered on searching for 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 geared 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 business to ascertain 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 world chemical substances producer, with a century-long monitor file. For extra data: www.masonresourcesinc.com and www.blackswangraphene.com .
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Cautionary Be aware
All statements, aside from statements of historic truth, 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 business requirements, NMG’s efficiency with respect to the initiatives described on this press launch, the character of relationships with stakeholders reminiscent of 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 overall enterprise and operational outlook of the Firm, the Firm’s future development and enterprise prospects, the Firm’s ESG commitments, initiatives and objectives, the Firm’s aim to change into the most important pure graphite producer in North America and people statements that are mentioned beneath the “About Nouveau Monde” paragraph and elsewhere within the press launch which primarily describe the Firm’s outlook and targets, represent “forward-looking data” or “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) throughout the which means of Canadian and United States securities legal guidelines, and are based mostly on expectations, estimates and projections as of the time of this press launch. Ahead-looking statements are essentially based mostly upon a variety of estimates and assumptions that, whereas thought of affordable by the Firm as of the time of such statements, are inherently topic to vital enterprise, financial and aggressive uncertainties and contingencies. These estimates and assumptions might show to be incorrect. Furthermore, these forward-looking statements had been based mostly upon varied underlying elements and assumptions, together with the present technological traits, the enterprise relationship between the Firm and its stakeholders, the power to function in a protected and efficient method, the well timed supply and set up at estimated costs of the tools supporting the manufacturing, assumed sale costs for graphite focus, the accuracy of any Mineral Useful resource estimates, future foreign money alternate 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 apparatus and important provides, spare components and consumables, the assorted tax assumptions, CAPEX and OPEX estimates, all financial and operational projections referring to the undertaking, native infrastructures, the Firm’s enterprise prospects and alternatives and estimates of the operational efficiency of the tools, and are usually not 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. Danger elements that would trigger precise outcomes or occasions to vary materially from present expectations embrace, amongst others, these dangers, delays within the scheduled supply instances of the tools, the power of the Firm to efficiently implement its strategic initiatives and whether or not such strategic initiatives will yield the anticipated advantages, the supply of financing or financing on favorable phrases for the Firm, the dependence on commodity costs, the impression of inflation on prices, the dangers of acquiring the required permits, the working efficiency of the Firm’s belongings and companies, aggressive elements within the graphite mining and manufacturing business, adjustments in legal guidelines and rules affecting the Firm’s companies, together with the adjustments in China’s coverage relating to restrictions on Chinese language graphite supplies exportations, political and social acceptability threat, environmental regulation threat, foreign money and alternate price threat, 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 stream and capital construction dangers and common enterprise dangers. An extra description of dangers and uncertainties will be present in NMG’s Annual Data Kind dated March 23, 2023, together with within the part thereof captioned “Danger Components”, which is on the market 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 straight 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 will 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 offered for the aim of offering details about administration’s expectations and plans referring to 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 business knowledge contained on this press launch relies upon data from unbiased business publications, market analysis, analyst reviews and surveys and different publicly out there sources. Though the Firm believes these sources to be typically dependable, market and business knowledge is topic to interpretation and can’t be verified with full certainty resulting from limits on the supply and reliability of uncooked knowledge, 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 info from third-party sources referred to on this press launch and accordingly, the accuracy and completeness of such knowledge shouldn’t be 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 duty for the adequacy or accuracy of this launch.
Additional data relating to the Firm is on the market 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