The front-end loading engineering (FEL-1) analysis for the second phase of Nouveau Monde Graphite's (TSXV:NOU; OTCOX:NMGRF; FRANKFURT:NM9) lithium-ion anode project in B?(C)cancour, Que., is complete. The study concludes that the new plant will produce 42,000 tonnes of anode material and 3,000 tonnes of purified flake graphite can be produced annually. It will also produce micronized graphite by-production and a small amount of chloride by-product.
Nouveau Monde estimates the 45,000 tonnes/year facility will have a direct cost of $359 million (all U.S. dollars), an indirect cost of $103 million, plus a contingency of $83 million for a total capex of $545 million. The FEL-2 pre-feasibility study for phase two is underway with completion scheduled within a year. Commissioning of the expanded plant is scheduled for the first quarter of 2025.
The company operates the 100%-owned Matawini graphite mine 130 km north of Montreal. Phase one of the B?(C)cancour anode material facility is already under construction with a planned nameplate capacity of 2,000 tonnes/year of anode material. First production is anticipated within 12 months.