NMG Is Gearing up for Its Phase 2 Commercial Operations in Bécancour – Innovative Workforce Training Program Established and Relationships Forged With Contractors and Suppliers

Nouveau Monde Graphite Inc. (“NMG” or the “Company”) (NYSE:NMG, TSXV: NOU) is ramping up its efforts in Bécancour, Québec, to implement its Phase-2 Bécancour Battery Materials Plant. To meet its expected needs for a skilled workforce, construction contractors, and product and service suppliers, NMG is actively engaged in regional development initiatives in the areas of training and procurement. The Company is also continuing its engineering, permitting, and pre-construction work towards the final investment decision (“FID”). These activities are underpinned by offtake agreements and strategic investments with Panasonic Energy Co., Ltd. (“Panasonic Energy”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Panasonic Holdings Corporation (“Panasonic”) (TYO: 6752) and General Motors Holdings LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors Co. (collectively, “GM”) (NYSE:GM).

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Panasonic Energy and NMG leaders celebrate the new chapter in their collaboration. (Photo: Business Wire)

Arne H Frandsen, NMG’s Chair of NMG, declared: “Beyond its industrial infrastructure and the synergy from the battery industry, Bécancour is a region full of talent, dedication and expertise. With our Phase-1 plant operations up and running, our Phase-2 execution plan is taking shape with the commitment of our anchor customers and investors, Panasonic and GM. This is the ideal time to align all key ingredients—qualified employees and performing business partners—to make the launch of our commercial operations a success.”

Training the local workforce

NMG is working closely with education and industrial partners in the region, to support the implementation of an innovative, customised training program to equip the local workforce with qualifications and training for green tech jobs, integral for both the development of NMG and the fast-faced establishment of a regional battery hub. The first cohort of the Attestation of Collegial Studies (“ACS”) program in green tech industrial processes began at the Cégep de Trois-Rivières at the end of January. The alternating work-study program is paid, and lasts 15 months. The program allows students to apply what they have learned at an actual plant, become accustomed to working in an industrial environment, and build relationships with their future colleagues. NMG is supporting five students within this first cohort who will work at its Phase-1 plants throughout their training period and who are on track to become permanent employees upon their graduation.