SAINT-MICHEL-DES-SAINTS, Quebec, Dec. 18, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nouveau Monde Graphite Inc. (“Nouveau Monde”) (TSX Venture Exchange: NOU) (OTCQX: NMGRF) (Frankfurt: NMG) publishes the results of a survey conducted by the firm Léger in which 83% of respondents give a positive score to the project while 9% of respondents consider that the project is quite negative (4%) or very negative (5%) for the region.

Leger was commissioned by Nouveau Monde to conduct a survey among the population of Saint-Michel-des-Saints, Saint-Zénon and Saint-Guillaume-Nord to measure perceptions about the project of the graphite mine in the region.

This survey, conducted from November 9 to 25, before the open house day held by NMG on Saturday, December 8, shows that 84% of respondents believe that Nouveau Monde has made enough efforts to keep the population informed of the evolution of the project.

“Among the respondents, almost all agree that the project will have economic benefits for municipalities and businesses in Haute-Matawinie (92%). To a lesser extent, they also believe that the project can be integrated into the territory by slightly modifying their quality of life (74%) and the quality of the environment (66%),” reads the research report.

This survey also illustrates that the elements the respondents are the most sensitive to are, in order of importance: economic benefits, employment opportunities followed by surface water quality and aquatic fauna.

The efforts made since 2015 to communicate the progress of the project have been successful as 84% of respondents feel that sufficient efforts have been made to date.

About the open house day on December 8th
During this open house day, in which more than 400 people from the region took part, Nouveau Monde proposed an information kioskformula during which about ten experts contributing to the development of the environmental and social impact study responded to questions from the participants. For more than 3 hours, participants had the chance to discuss with them about the latest version of the project and the measures incorporated into its design following previous consultations and exchanges in order to minimize the impact on the environment.

The company’s managers were personally greeting the citizens at the plant’s entrance. To top it off, Nouveau Monde organized guided tours of the demonstration plant with plant operators to present the graphite transformation process. This factory visit was full of memories for several residents of the region who worked there for many years before Lousiana Pacific closed its doors in 2007.

To see some pictures of our open house, we invite you to click here.

Eric Desaulniers, President and CEO of Nouveau Monde Graphite stated:

“We were already very confident about the reception of the project in the local community, but to learn that more than 80% of the respondents to a Léger survey are in favor of our graphite mine project in Saint-Michel-des-Saints gives us an extra dose of energy. This confirms the relevance of the actions put in place to involve stakeholders, including the creation of a support committee that includes the main stakeholders in the community and citizens. We are aware that 9% of respondents are not in favor of the project and we have always been clear on this point: there is no way we will oppose the majority of the population to the minority who has a different opinion on our project. One of the main concerns expressed in the last few years is the preservation of the quality of the environment and the quality of life and that is why we work hard, day after day, to achieve a project that meets environmental standards, a project that integrates its environment, an all-electric project, a project that sets the standards for 2020.”

Methodology: These results are the result of a phone survey conducted from November 9 to 25, 2018, with a sample of 330 residents and vacationers from Saint-Michel-des-Saints, Saint-Zénon and Saint-Guillaume-Nord. As a comparison, a probability sample of the same size (n = 330) would have a margin of error of +/- 5.4%, 19 times out of 20 (in 95% of cases).

About Nouveau Monde Graphite

In 2015, Nouveau Monde Graphite discovered a major and high-quality graphite deposit on its Matawinie property, located in Saint-Michel-des-Saints, 150 km North of Montréal. This discovery led to the completion of a Feasibility Study, the results of which were announced on October 24, 2018. The Feasibility Study revealed strong economics with projected graphite concentrate production level of 100,000 tonnes per year over a 25.5-year period. NMG will operate its demonstration plant until 2020. During this period, NMG expects the production of 2,000 tonnes of concentrated flake graphite to qualify its products with North American and international clients.

Moreover, in a vertical integration and sustainable development perspective, Nouveau Monde is planning the establishment of a large-scale graphite secondary transformation facility, catering the needs of the booming lithium-ion battery market. With over 60 years of experience in the world of graphite, NMG’s team develops its project with the utmost respect of neighboring communities, while favoring a minimal ecological footprint. NMG’s project is privileged by direct access to the workforce and infrastructure needed to operate its mining project, and it can also rely on an abundant, affordable and renewable source of hydroelectricity.

About Nouveau Monde Graphite

Nouveau Monde is striving to become a key contributor to the sustainable energy revolution. The Company is working towards developing a fully integrated source of carbon-neutral battery anode material in Québec, Canada for the growing lithium-ion and fuel cell markets. With low-cost operations and enviable ESG standards, Nouveau Monde aspires to become a strategic supplier to the world’s leading battery and automobile manufacturers, providing high-performing and reliable advanced materials while promoting sustainability and supply chain traceability.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release including, but not limited to those describing the Company’s intended production of carbon-neutral advanced graphite materials, the Company’s ESG goals, aspirations and commitments, including the Company’s aim at circularity and its intended transition from carbon neutrality to Net Zero, the Company’s initiatives outlined in the ESG Report and the achievement of the targets described therein, the deployment of the Sustainability Action Plan and the Climate Action Plan, the Company’s commitment to our Zero-Harm philosophy, the Company’s development plans, the timeline and progress of the initiatives described in this press release, , the intended results of the initiatives described in this press release, and those statements which are discussed under the “About Nouveau Monde Graphite” paragraph and elsewhere in the press release which essentially describe the Company’s outlook and objectives, constitute “forward-looking information” or “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of Canadian and United States 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 Company 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. Moreover, these forward-looking statements were based upon various underlying factors and assumptions, including the current technological trends, the business relationship between the Company and its stakeholders, the ability to operate in a safe and effective manner, the timely delivery and installation of the equipment supporting the production, the Company’s business prospects and opportunities and estimates of the operational performance of the equipment, and are not guarantees of future performance.

Forward-looking statements are subject to known or unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. Risk factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among others, delays in the scheduled delivery times of the equipment, the ability of the Company to successfully implement its strategic initiatives and whether such strategic initiatives will yield the expected benefits, the availability of financing or financing on favorable terms for the Company, the dependence on commodity prices, the impact of inflation on costs, the risks of obtaining the necessary permits, the operating performance of the Company’s assets and businesses, competitive factors in the graphite mining and production industry, changes in laws and regulations affecting the Company’s businesses, political and social acceptability risk, environmental regulation risk, currency and exchange rate risk, technological developments, the impacts of the global COVID-19 pandemic and the governments’ responses thereto, and general economic conditions, as well as earnings, capital expenditure, cash flow and capital structure risks and general business risks. A further description of risks and uncertainties can be found in NMG’s Annual Information Form dated March 22, 2022, including in the section thereof captioned “Risk Factors”, which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. Unpredictable or unknown factors not discussed in this Cautionary Note could also have material adverse effects on forward-looking statements.

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 Company 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.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Further information regarding the Company is available in the SEDAR database (www.sedar.com), and for United States readers on EDGAR (www.sec.gov), and on the Company’s website at: www.NMG.com.