Nouveau Monde Graphite in the Process of Marketing Its First Tonnes of Graphite Concentrate

SAINT-MICHEL-DES-SAINTS, Quebec, May 24, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nouveau Monde Graphite Inc. (TSX-V:NOU) (NMG) confirms its demonstration plant (DP) is scheduled to open and operate come Summer 2018 and presents the team that will manage production and marketing of the first tonnes of graphite concentrate expected. The DP will produce 2,000 tonnes of graphite concentrate over a two-year period and will be supplied by the mineralization of the West Zone deposit of NMG’s Matawinie graphite property.

First Tonnes of Graphite Concentrate on the Market in the Summer 2018

Construction work of the DP is going along under schedule and civil work is completed. Workers are now installing plumbing and electricity required to progressively connect the fifty (50) equipment pieces needed to operate. The construction should be completed over the course of the following weeks, leading to start of operations and production as of Summer 2018. The next pivotal steps are: construction completion, water servicing and pre-operational tests.

« The marketing phase we are about to embark in is an exciting step for NMG. Having refined our DP process design upon results of the metallurgy optimization program (see press release issued on April 11, 2017), we can expect a very high global recovery rate. The excellent granulometric distribution of our deposit as well as the high purity potential of our graphite flakes should also play favorably on the value of our products, while allowing us to pursue many markets and diversify our product portfolio, hence catering to a vaster customer base,” explains Éric Desaulniers, President and CEO of NMG.

A Team Detaining over 60 Years Experience in the Field of Graphite

NMG is proud to welcome Mr. Benoît Brière as Director of the Demonstration Plant, completing our graphite operation and marketing team. Mr. Brière has more than 20 years’ experience in the field of graphite. He was Production and Customer Service Manager at Imerys Graphite & Carbon. Under Chief of Operations Karl Trudeau’s leadership (see press release issued on July 11, 2017), Mr. Brière will head over all demonstration plant operations and lead a team of nine (9) operators and technicians including six (6) from the Manawan and Saint-Michel-des-Saints region. The expert team is also comprised of Marion Vervey, Mining Engineering and Resource Management Engineer with 7 years’ experience as a natural graphite factory project engineer (Imerys) and graphite-market expert Armando Farhate, B.Eng, MBA, (Imerys and National de Grafite).

“Having such valuable knowledge seated at the table and applying this knowledge to all spheres of graphite production and marketing is a considerable asset for NMG. It ensures the success of our planned operations at the DP,” explains Éric Desaulniers, CEO of NMG.

About the Demonstration Plant

NMG plans on starting its demonstration Plant (DP) production as of Summer 2018. The demonstration plant will be located in a building previously host to the Louisiana Pacific, in Saint-Michel-des-Saints. The DP is an important milestone in NMG’s strategy as it will serve to:

• Qualify NMG graphite products and establish a sales record;
• Test and improve processes for commercial operation optimization;
• Test new innovative technologies of mining waste management and site restoration;
• Start employee training and local future workforce reach-out program;

Graphite products offered

The graphite products that will be offered to customers:
NMG Flake +50
NMG Flake +80
NMG Flake +150
NMG Fine Flake
All grades between 94-98 % Cg (as per technical requirements).
Other custom products will be available.

Over the course of the year, NMG also plans on installing two added-value graphite product processes inside the demo plant. These two processes concern expandable graphite (NMG-EXP9698) and spherical graphite (NMG-SG9995) for the manufacture of anode material for the lithium-ion battery market.

For information regarding products offered, write to: sales@nouveaumonde.ca

About Nouveau Monde Graphite

In 2015, Nouveau Monde Graphite discovered two major and high-quality graphite deposits on its Matawinie property, located in Saint-Michel-des-Saints, 150 km north of Montreal, Quebec. The discovery led to the announcement of a pre-feasibility study on October 25, 2017. The pre-feasibility study results reveal projected graphite concentrate production levels of 52,000 tonnes per year over a 27-year period. Having secured $13.7 M in venture investments, NMG aims at operating its 2,000 tonnes of graphite flake concentrate demonstration facility come Summer 2018 for a two-year period. With over 60 years of experience in the world of graphite, NMG’s team develops its projects with the utmost respect of neighbouring communities, while favouring a minimal environmental footprint. NMG’s project is privileged by direct access to the workforce and infrastructure needed to operate, such as an abundant affordable and renewable source of hydroelectricity.

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All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release including, but not limited to (i) the obtaining of the necessary authorizations and permits; (ii) the schedule, outlook and forecast of the Demo Plant or graphite products; and (iii) generally, or the “About Nouveau Monde Graphite” paragraphs 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.

Further information regarding Nouveau Monde is available in the SEDAR database (www.sedar.com) and on the Corporation’s website at: www.nouveaumonde.ca