Nouveau Monde Graphite Secures Milestone Senior Debt Financing for Phase-2 Matawinie Mine

Executive Summary

• Export Development Canada (EDC) and the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) have executed a senior secured project‑debt commitment of US $335 million for Nouveau Monde Graphite’s Phase‑2 Matawinie Mine.
• The financing consists of a US $290 million term loan and a US $45 million cost‑overrun facility, with competitive rates, long‑tenor structure and first‑ranking security over the project assets.
• The debt facilities are intended to fund eligible construction costs, working capital and transaction expenses, moving the project toward financial close and final investment decision (FID).

Key Details

• Total Debt Commitment: US $335 million
• Term Loan: US $290 million senior secured term loan facility.
• Cost‑Overrun Facility: US $45 million senior secured facility to cover construction cost overruns.
• Financing Structure: Long‑tenor, flexible project‑finance with competitive interest rates and repayment terms; first‑ranking security over the Matawinie Mine and all material assets.
• Use of Proceeds: Eligible project construction costs, pre‑completion working capital, and financing transaction costs.
• Conditions Precedents: Completion of definitive documentation, final legal, insurance and regulatory due diligence, and satisfaction of customary conditions precedents. Société Générale is acting as debt advisor.
• Offtake Support: Long‑term agreements covering 75 % of Phase‑2 production with the Government of Canada, Panasonic Energy, and Traxys North America, providing strong revenue visibility.
• Project Status: ~80 % detailed engineering completed; site preparatory work, key permits, and agreements with First Nation and local community in place; shovel‑ready and substantially de‑risked.
• Path to FID: Upon satisfaction of conditions precedents, the company expects financial close, drawdowns under the term loan, and continuation of construction preparation aligned with the approved development plan. Over 50 % of Phase‑2 CAPEX is already contracted within feasibility study estimates (NI 43‑101).
• Strategic Importance: Identified by Canada’s Major Projects Office as a project of national interest; expected to become the largest graphite mine in the G7, supporting critical mineral supply chains for battery and advanced manufacturing sectors.

Notable Quotes

• “A defining milestone for the Matawinie Mine… validates the bankability of our project.” – Eric Desaulniers, Founder, President & CEO, Nouveau Monde Graphite.
• “This commitment reflects strong institutional confidence in the project's fundamentals and its strategic importance to Canada’s critical minerals ecosystem.” – Alison Nankivell, President & CEO, EDC.
• “The CIB's commitment will advance the next phase of the Matawinie Mine toward final investment decision and construction.” – Ehren Cory, CEO, Canada Infrastructure Bank.