In line with its commitment to adopt clean energy sources and technologies, Nouveau Monde Graphite Inc has reported advancement on its electrification program for the Phase-2 Matawinie Mine and Bécancour Battery Material Plant. Leveraging Québec’s power grid, one of the greenest in the world, as the bedrock of its electrification strategy, NMG has confirmed electrical capacity and competitive rates, and defined zero-exhaust emission equipment deployment with Caterpillar Inc.
Complementary to agreements in place for the Phase-2 Matawinie Mine which include the construction of a dedicated powerline, NMG obtained confirmation from Hydro-Québec – the government corporation that produces, transmits, and distributes electricity in Québec – of a 77 MW electricity block for the Phase-2 Bécancour Battery Material Plant. The allocated electricity block will enable the establishment of a fully integrated advanced manufacturing platform in Bécancour, in the heart of Québec’s battery valley, for refining graphite into active anode material. NMG has also received confirmation of its discounted industrial rate for hydroelectricity at both Phase-2 Matawinie Mine and Bécancour Battery Material Plant.
Moving to electrifying mining at Matawinie, active technical work between Caterpillar and NMG’s teams have enabled the establishment of a calendar to deploy early learners and/or pilot models for the Phase 2 Matawinie Mine, to test equipment in actual terrain and weather, and to map the transition to future zero-exhaust-emission production models. The Cat® 950 GC-wheel loader would be the first battery-electric pilot machine to arrive at Matawinie.
This model was first unveiled as a prototype along with three other smaller machines – 301.9 mini excavator, 320 medium excavator and 906 compact wheel loader – at Bauma 2022 in Munich. At that time Caterpillar stated that the units are powered by Caterpillar battery prototypes and include an onboard AC charger. It said of the batteries: “Built on proven Caterpillar technology, the lithium-ion battery range features a modular design that offers flexible configurations across multiple applications. The batteries are engineered to be scalable to industry and customer performance needs and maximise sustainability throughout their lifecycle, including recycling and reuse at the end of life.”
These developments also support planning for the site’s charging infrastructure. Modelling and simulating the location of charging stations, equipment operations on site, as well as charging cycles in relation to operational schedules and the mining plan, help optimise site design and technology choices. The simulation of charging needs helps identify peak power demand and defining energy management strategies.
Denise Johnson, Caterpillar Group President, commented: “The Matawinie project highlights the complex questions miners are faced with when determining the amount of energy required to run a fully electric site. This is part of the learning NMG and Caterpillar are navigating together as we work through the realities of supporting the mine site of the future. I’m proud of the work our teams are accomplishing together to propel this project forward.”
Eric Desaulniers, Founder, President and CEO of NMG, said: “It started with a bold vision. Going all-electric at our Matawinie Mine is the way to go; environmentally to limit our carbon footprint, socially to rally the community behind a new mining development and to reduce the sound level of our operations, and commercially to engage with battery/EV manufacturers and tap into consumers’ responsible purchasing desires. Now, Caterpillar is providing us with a comprehensive solution, de-risking the adoption of new technologies and optimising operational excellence through integrated infrastructure.”
