Northern Graphite Celebrates 35th Anniversary of Lac des Iles Mine with Special Report on North America's Only Graphite Producer
Northern Graphite has released a special report commemorating the 35th anniversary of its Lac des Iles (LDI) graphite mine in Quebec, North America's only graphite producer. The mine, which began operations in 1989, currently supplies over 20% of the US industrial graphite market.
The company plans to expand into battery-grade graphite production with a low carbon footprint, supporting the global energy transition and EV evolution. Key initiatives include:
- Resource base expansion through exploration
- Development of the first new pit in over a decade
- Mill revitalization to achieve nameplate capacity
- Environmental remediation and reclamation efforts
However, CEO Hugues Jacquemin highlighted significant financing challenges, noting that without additional capital, LDI might need to be placed on care and maintenance. The company faces obstacles including weak financial markets, low graphite prices, and slower-than-expected energy transition progress, with support from governments and strategic partners.
Northern Graphite ha pubblicato un rapporto speciale per commemorare il 35° anniversario della sua miniera di grafite Lac des Iles (LDI) in Quebec, l'unico produttore di grafite in Nord America. La miniera, che ha iniziato le operazioni nel 1989, attualmente fornisce oltre il 20% del mercato industriale della grafite negli Stati Uniti.
L'azienda prevede di espandere la produzione di grafite di grado per batterie con una bassa impronta di carbonio, supportando la transizione energetica globale e l'evoluzione dei veicoli elettrici. Le iniziative chiave includono:
- Espansione della base di risorse attraverso l'esplorazione
- Sviluppo della prima nuova cava in oltre un decennio
- Rivitalizzazione del mulino per raggiungere la capacità nominale
- Interventi di bonifica ambientale e recupero
Tuttavia, il CEO Hugues Jacquemin ha evidenziato significative sfide di finanziamento, osservando che senza capitale aggiuntivo, LDI potrebbe dover essere messa in cura e manutenzione. L'azienda affronta ostacoli tra cui mercati finanziari deboli, prezzi della grafite bassi e un progresso della transizione energetica più lento del previsto, con il supporto di governi e partner strategici.
Northern Graphite ha lanzado un informe especial para conmemorar el 35° aniversario de su mina de grafito Lac des Iles (LDI) en Quebec, el único productor de grafito en América del Norte. La mina, que comenzó a operar en 1989, actualmente suministra más del 20% del mercado industrial de grafito en EE. UU.
La empresa planea expandir la producción de grafito de grado para baterías con una baja huella de carbono, apoyando la transición energética global y la evolución de los vehículos eléctricos. Las iniciativas clave incluyen:
- Expansión de la base de recursos a través de la exploración
- Desarrollo de la primera nueva mina en más de una década
- Revitalización del molino para alcanzar la capacidad nominal
- Esfuerzos de remediación y recuperación ambiental
No obstante, el CEO Hugues Jacquemin destacó importantes desafíos de financiamiento, señalando que sin capital adicional, LDI podría necesitar ser colocada en cuidado y mantenimiento. La empresa enfrenta obstáculos como mercados financieros débiles, precios bajos del grafito y un progreso de la transición energética más lento de lo esperado, con el apoyo de gobiernos y socios estratégicos.
노던 그래파이트는 퀘벡에 위치한 라크 데 질레스(LDI) 그래파이트 광산의 35주년 기념 특별 보고서를 발표했습니다. 이 광산은 북미 유일의 그래파이트 생산업체로, 1989년부터 운영되고 있으며 현재 미국 산업 그래파이트 시장의 20% 이상을 공급하고 있습니다.
회사는 저탄소 발자국을 가진 배터리급 그래파이트 생산으로 확장할 계획이며, 이는 글로벌 에너지 전환과 전기차 발전을 지원합니다. 주요 이니셔티브는 다음과 같습니다:
- 탐사를 통한 자원 기반 확장
- 10년 이상 만에 첫 새로운 채굴장 개발
- 명목 용량 달성을 위한 밀 재활성화
- 환경 복원 및 재개발 노력
하지만 CEO 휴즈 자크망은 상당한 자금 조달 문제를 강조하며, 추가 자본이 없다면 LDI는 관리 및 유지보수 상태에 놓여야 할 수도 있다고 언급했습니다. 회사는 약한 금융 시장, 낮은 그래파이트 가격, 예상보다 느린 에너지 전환 진행 등 여러 장애물에 직면해 있으며, 정부와 전략적 파트너의 지원을 받고 있습니다.
Northern Graphite a publié un rapport spécial pour commémorer le 35e anniversaire de sa mine de graphite Lac des Iles (LDI) au Québec, le seul producteur de graphite en Amérique du Nord. La mine, qui a commencé ses opérations en 1989, fournit actuellement plus de 20 % du marché industriel du graphite aux États-Unis.
L'entreprise prévoit d'élargir la production de graphite de qualité batterie avec une faible empreinte carbone, soutenant la transition énergétique mondiale et l'évolution des véhicules électriques. Les initiatives clés comprennent:
- Expansion de la base de ressources par l'exploration
- Développement de la première nouvelle carrière depuis plus d'une décennie
- Revitalisation de l'usine pour atteindre la capacité nominale
- Efforts de remédiation et de réhabilitation environnementale
Cependant, le PDG Hugues Jacquemin a souligné d'importants défis de financement, notant que sans capital supplémentaire, LDI pourrait devoir être placée en soins et maintenance. L'entreprise fait face à des obstacles tels que des marchés financiers faibles, des prix du graphite bas et un progrès de la transition énergétique plus lent que prévu, avec le soutien des gouvernements et des partenaires stratégiques.
Northern Graphite hat einen Sonderbericht veröffentlicht, um den 35. Jahrestag seiner Grafitmine Lac des Iles (LDI) in Quebec, dem einzigen Grafitproduzenten in Nordamerika, zu feiern. Die Mine, die 1989 in Betrieb genommen wurde, liefert derzeit über 20 % des industriellen Grafitmarktes in den USA.
Das Unternehmen plant, in die Produktion von Grafit in Batteriequalität mit einem niedrigen CO2-Fußabdruck zu expandieren, um den globalen Energiewandel und die Entwicklung von Elektrofahrzeugen zu unterstützen. Zu den wichtigsten Initiativen gehören:
- Erweiterung der Ressourcenbasis durch Exploration
- Entwicklung der ersten neuen Grube seit über einem Jahrzehnt
- Revitalisierung der Mühle zur Erreichung der Nennkapazität
- Umweltremediation und Rekultivierungsmaßnahmen
CEO Hugues Jacquemin wies jedoch auf erhebliche Finanzierungsprobleme hin und stellte fest, dass LDI ohne zusätzliches Kapital möglicherweise in den Zustand der Pflege und Wartung versetzt werden muss. Das Unternehmen sieht sich Hindernissen wie schwachen Finanzmärkten, niedrigen Grafitpreisen und einem langsamer als erwarteten Fortschritt beim Energiewandel gegenüber, wobei es Unterstützung von Regierungen und strategischen Partnern erhält.
- None.
- None.
Ottawa, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 3, 2025) - Northern Graphite Corporation (TSXV: NGC) (OTCQB: NGPHF) (FSE: 0NG) (XSTU: 0NG) (the "Company" or "Northern") is pleased to announce the publication of a Special Report on its cornerstone asset, the Lac des Iles ("LDI") graphite mine in Quebec.
The report, Lac des Iles Graphite Mine Marks 35 Years: Evolving with a Changing World, tracks LDI's trajectory from its first shovel-full of graphite bearing ore in 1989 through to supplying more than 20 percent of the US industrial market for graphite today. It then explores Northern's plan to evolve into also suppling battery-grade graphite with a low carbon footprint to support the global energy transition and EV evolution.
"Our special report explores the significant opportunity set at Lac des Iles at a time when the West is positioning itself to create a domestic supply chain of the minerals critical to the energy storage and electric vehicle markets," said Hugues Jacquemin, CEO of Northern Graphite. "I encourage everyone to read the full report to fully understand our vision and the transformative role Northern can play by leveraging LDI and its other projects to fill the gap in the West's EV supply chain. The report not only details our strategy for resource expansion and infrastructure enhancement but also offers insights into the financing challenges we face in today's market."
Image 1
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4186/242992_6b7bbe2a341fd8f7_001full.jpg
The report is illustrated with historical and contemporary photographs, and features in-situ video explainers from key personnel. It showcases LDI's origins, how the world has transformed in the interim, where the mine is headed in this new era of energy transition, and the challenges it will have to overcome to get there.
Key Highlights in the Report Include:
Resource Expansion: Exploration efforts to expand LDI's resource base;
Development of a New Pit: Plans to open the mine's first new pit in over a decade to ensure continuous production;
Mill Revitalization: Repairs and Maintenance on the LDI mill to return it to nameplate capacity and ensure a reliable supply to industrial customers and emerging battery markets;
Sustainability: Remediation and reclamation efforts to return borrowed land to the environment in a sustainable manner; and
Financing Challenges: The capital necessary to execute the Company's plans is hard to come by amid weak financial markets for junior companies, stubbornly low graphite prices and an energy transition that is unfolding at a slower-than-expected pace.
"Governments and strategic partners have been very slow or unwilling to step up to the plate despite recognizing the urgent need for secure, Western sources of sustainably produced critical minerals and for downstream processing capability. If we are unable to secure additional capital, the Company will be forced to put LDI on care and maintenance in the near term while keeping operations as lean as possible," said Mr. Jacquemin. "That said, we have a winning formula to build a bigger mine here that will supply graphite over a long period of time to meet increasing market demand."
Read all about it here: LDI Special Report
About Northern Graphite
Northern is a Canadian, TSX Venture Exchange listed company that is the only flake graphite producing company in North America. Northern is focused on becoming a world leader in producing natural graphite and upgrading it into high-value products critical to the green economy, including anode material for lithium-ion batteries/EVs, fuel cells and graphene, as well as advanced industrial technologies. The Company's mine-to-battery strategy is spearheaded by its Battery Materials Division, which has a fully equipped, state-of-the-art laboratory in Frankfurt.
Northern's graphite assets include the producing Lac des Iles mine in Quebec where the Company plans to boost output to meet growing demand from industrial customers and coming demand from North American battery makers. The Company also owns the large-scale Bissett Creek project in Ontario and the fully permitted Okanjande graphite mine in Namibia, which is currently on care and maintenance. LDI and Okanjande represent an opportunity to substantially increase graphite production at a lower cost and with a shorter time to market than most competing projects. All projects have "battery quality" graphite and are located close to infrastructure in politically stable jurisdictions.
For media inquiries contact
Pav Jordan, VP of Communications
Email: pjordan@northerngraphite.com
For additional information
Please visit the Company's website at https://www.northerngraphite.com/home/, the Company's profile on www.sedarplus.ca our Social Channels listed below or contact the Company at (613) 271-2124.
LinkedIn
YouTube
Twitter
Facebook
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "potential", "possible" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may", "will", "could", or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding, among others, the Company's plans to increase output at LDI and development plans with respect to the Okanjande mine in Namibia, the Bissett Creek and Mousseau projects in Ontario and its planned Baie-Comeau Battery Anode Material plant. All such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and analyses made by management based on their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors they believe are appropriate in the circumstances. However, these statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected including, but not limited to, unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; the failure of other parties to perform as agreed; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices; unexpected failure or inadequacy of infrastructure and the failure of ongoing and contemplated studies to deliver anticipated results or results that would justify and support continued studies, development or operations and the inability to raise required financing. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements.
Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based on what management believes are reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with them. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject to applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this news release.
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 news release.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/242992
FAQ
What percentage of US industrial graphite market does Lac des Iles mine currently supply?
What are the main expansion plans for Northern Graphite's NGPHF Lac des Iles mine?
Why might Northern Graphite (NGPHF) put Lac des Iles mine on care and maintenance?
What is Northern Graphite's strategy for the EV market with the Lac des Iles mine?
When did the Lac des Iles graphite mine begin operations?
