SAINT-MICHEL-DES-SAINTS, Quebec, Sept. 18, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nouveau Monde Graphite Inc. (TSX-V:NOU) (“Nouveau Monde”) is pleased to announce the successful mechanical commissioning of the wet circuit of its 3.5 tons per hour (tph) demonstration plant located in Saint-Michel-des-Saints, Quebec. An overview of the processing plant is depicted below.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b9ae1786-0a93-44de-8d45-c793956f4659

The following videos can be viewed in support of reading the paragraphs below :

• Demonstration plant from the outside
• Demonstration plant facilities (part 1)
• Demonstration plant facilities (part 2)
• Flotation process

Mechanical commissioning of the flotation circuit up to the filter press was completed during the week of September 3^rd. Commissioning of the dry side of the demonstration plant including dryer, classification screen, and bagging system is scheduled for later in September 2018.

Grab samples of the +80 mesh cleaning circuit 3^rd cleaner concentrate were submitted for independent chemical analysis by SGS Minerals in Lakefield. The results are presented in Table 1 and reveal that the total carbon grades of the +50, +80, and +140 mesh size fractions are above the minimum concentrate grade target of 95% C(t). Given that these high concentrate grades were already obtained during mechanical commissioning is very encouraging and confirm the effortlessness that the medium, large and jumbo flakes of the Matawinie graphite ore can be upgraded to at least 96% C(t).

Table 1: Demonstration Plant Total Carbon Grades:

With mechanical commissioning of the wet circuit completed, the attention will focus on optimizing the metallurgical performance of the circuit in the coming weeks. During the next two years of operation, several alternative processing technologies will be evaluated to determine if the results obtained in the laboratory scale metallurgical program that was completed to support the feasibility study can be further improved.

The demonstration plant represents a significant scale-up from laboratory scale testing, which typically uses 2 kg test charges. Although two bulk sample were processed in flotation pilot plants rated at 1 tph at SGS Lakefield in 2015 and 2018, these plants were operated as concentration production campaigns and operating hours were insufficient to optimize the circuit conditions. The ability to operate the demonstration plant in Saint-Michel-des-Saints for the next two years provides a unique opportunity to fully optimize all aspects of the process and to provide very specific process design criteria for the detailed engineering phase.

The demonstration plant also provides a very good training opportunity for plant operators in preparation of commercial production. Training and operating protocols that are being implemented for the demonstration plant can be easily transferred to commercial production. The good understanding of the process and response of the Matawinie ore as well as readily trained operators are expected to accelerate the ramp up phase of the commercial plant.

In order to feed the demonstration plant, 5000 tonnes of ore were blasted a couple weeks ago from the West Zone Deposit. This material is scheduled to be sent to the plant shortly to ramp up production to full capacity. In the next two years, a total of 40 000 tonnes are planned to be collected and shipped to the demonstration plant which is located 16 km by road from the extraction site. A video illustrating the blasting of approximately 5000 tonnes of ore (left) and 4000 tonnes of bedrock (right) for the tailing’s basin is available through this link:

http://staging.nouveaumonde.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/BLAST_NMG_SEPT_2018.mp4

Other developments

Nouveau Monde is also making great strides in the construction of its tailings facilities as well as its various water management basins. These necessitated a blasting of about 18 000 tons as well as a blasting of about 5 000 tons of sterile material, or the equivalent of blasts that we will find during the commercial mining exploitation. The tailings and water treatment facilities will not only serve to properly manage the plant waste, but it will also provide real-world data which will be used as a basis for our planned commercial operations. Furthermore, three experimental tailings cells were added to the site to test new and innovative ideas in order to improve our tailing management. The construction of the tailings facilities is scheduled to be completed by the end of October.

The technical data presented in this release was prepared by Oliver Peters, M.Sc., P.Eng., MBA, of Metpro Management Inc., Qualified Persons as define by NI 43-101 Regulation.

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 north of Montreal, Quebec. This discovery led to the completion of a Prefeasibility Study which revealed strong economics with a projected graphite concentrate production level of 52,000 tonnes per year over a 27-year period (see Press Release dated October 25, 2017). In the coming weeks, Nouveau Monde will be distributing its first tonnes of graphite concentrate to interested parties. The demonstration plant has been built for a production capacity of 2,000 tonnes of concentrated flake graphite over a two-year period.

Moreover, in a vertical integration and sustainable development perspective, the company 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 projects 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.

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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.

All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release including, but not limited to 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.