Construction starts on 'largest graphite mine' in the G7
The mine in Québec, Canada, will be integrated with a battery material plant
The mine is estimated to supply up to 106Mt yearly, create more than 1,000 new jobs, attract nearly CAN$2bln in investment and support lower emissions.
Nouveau Monde Graphite plans to integrate the mine with a battery material plant in Bécancour, Québec, becoming Canada’s first integrated graphite operation – from extraction to refinery.
Both the Matawinie Mine and the processing facilities will operate primarily on hydroelectricity, enabling an all‑electric production model that is said to significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional graphite supply chains.
The Rt. Hon. Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada, says, 'Canada has what the world wants – and we’re moving at speed to get it to market. The Matawinie Mine will position Canada as a choice supplier of graphite in a world where demand is rapidly outpacing supply. It will create more than a thousand good career opportunities, strengthen our supply chains, and build a stronger, more competitive, more independent Canadian economy for all.'
Construction was announced six months after its referral to the Major Projects Office, which was launched last year by the Canadian Government to get major infrastructure projects – new ports, mines, trade and energy corridors – built faster.
