Renewed Support for the Matawinie Project

Nouveau Monde provides update on its social acceptability efforts

SAINT-MICHEL-DES-SAINTS, Quebec, Jan. 28, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a spirit of ethical and responsible development, Nouveau Monde Graphite Inc. (“Nouveau Monde” or “NMG”) (TSX.V: NOU; OTCQX: NMGRF; Frankfurt: NM9) has launched many initiatives since the discovery of the Matawinie graphite deposit in 2015 to align its project with the context, concerns and values of the local community. The most recent survey conducted by Léger confirms favourable reception of the project in Upper Matawinie, with 82% of respondents calling the project positive or very positive.

This survey follows the one conducted in fall 2018 regarding the community’s opinion about the project. Nouveau Monde mandated Léger to repeat the exercise using the same methodology to measure perceptions of the project over time. The results have remained consistent, with an equivalent rate of support (83% in 2018 and 82% in 2019) and viewpoints that remain positive regarding economic benefits (89%) and community integration with respect to quality of life (76%) and the environment (70%).

“Like any other natural resource, graphite represents a source of collective wealth, and we must take care to develop it with the acceptance and in the interest of the local community and all Quebecers,” said Eric Desaulniers, President and CEO of Nouveau Monde. “In addition to informal discussions with our fellow citizens and partners, the survey results show that we have been able to reconcile social, environmental and economic factors to develop a project that holds promise for the region.”

The survey also indicated that demonstration operations have been deployed in an acceptable way and that the community is sensitive to environmental protection. As a matter of fact, Nouveau Monde's technical team will attend the Bureau d'audiences publiques sur l'environnement’s (BAPE) public sessions that start tonight in Saint-Michel-des-Saints to answer questions about the project.

Partnerships and progress
In addition to refining the project, open dialogue with the community has helped identify avenues for integration and revealed a strong interest in training, employment and business opportunities. Below is an overview of these initiatives based on the three pillars of sustainable development:

• Launch of the Mining and Forestry Essentials social and occupational integration program for the Indigenous community, led by the sectoral committee on mining industry labour in collaboration with the Upper Matawinie labour training committee: Nouveau Monde will participate in the Manawan career day on Thursday, January 30 to present the program along with the job and business opportunities associated with the project.
• In partnership with Scierie St-Michel and La Granaudière, launch of a diploma of vocational studies (DVS) in production equipment operation: The Commission scolaire des Samares will launch the first cohort in spring 2020.
• Limitation of the project’s impacts within 1 km of the mining site: Nouveau Monde has implemented a proactive voluntary acquisition program to help owners within this radius avoid nuisances due to their proximity to the mining site. So far, agreements have been reached with all landowners in the area who expressed an interest.
• Maximization of economic benefits in the region through business partnerships, a resolution promoting local procurement, and information meetings for entrepreneurs.
• Creation of a territory integration plan to ensure that the development of the site is aligned with Saint-Michel-des-Saints’ environment and tourism culture: Nouveau Monde is proposing an eco-adventure park, a graphite interpretation centre with industrial tours, a residential development, and upgrading of spaces within 1 km of the project.
• Signing of a collaboration and benefit-sharing agreement with the municipality of Saint-Michel-des-Saints and a pre-development agreement with the Atikamekw community.
• Responsible and low-carbon extraction of graphite in the Tony Block to supply the lithium-ion battery market and support the development of Quebec's transportation electrification sector: Nouveau Monde is developing the world's first 100% electric open-pit mine.

Nouveau Monde has also made use of new provisions under the law to directly present the Matawinie project at the BAPE public hearings to engage in open and transparent consultations with all stakeholders. The company invites the public to actively participate in this democratic exercise so that the project can be thoroughly reviewed and recommendations can be issued to enhance any relevant components.