Northern Graphite and BMI Group to Collaborate on Development Plan for Battery Anode Material Facility at Former Baie-Comeau Paper Mill
Northern Graphite (NGPHF) and BMI Group have announced a partnership to evaluate the feasibility of establishing a Battery Anode Material (BAM) facility at a former paper mill in Baie-Comeau, Quebec. The proposed facility aims for a Stage 1 capacity of 50,000 tonnes per year.
The project would be located at either Norderra, BMI's infrastructure-ready node, or a 300-acre greenfield site owned by the city. The partners will work with local authorities and utility providers to secure power supply and maximize economic benefits while minimizing environmental impacts.
The BAM facility would process graphite from Northern's LDI mine in Quebec and development projects in Namibia and Ontario. This initiative complements Northern's planned BAM facility in France, which has been designated as a Strategic Project under the EU's Critical Raw Materials Act.
Northern Graphite (NGPHF) e BMI Group hanno annunciato una collaborazione per valutare la fattibilità di realizzare un impianto di Materiale per Anodi di Batterie (BAM) in un'ex cartiera a Baie-Comeau, Quebec. L'impianto proposto mira a una capacità di 50.000 tonnellate all'anno nella Fase 1.
Il progetto sarebbe situato presso Norderra, il nodo infrastrutturale pronto di BMI, oppure in un'area greenfield di 300 acri di proprietà comunale. I partner collaboreranno con le autorità locali e i fornitori di servizi per garantire l'approvvigionamento energetico e massimizzare i benefici economici, minimizzando al contempo l'impatto ambientale.
L'impianto BAM elaborerebbe il grafite proveniente dalla miniera LDI di Northern in Quebec e dai progetti di sviluppo in Namibia e Ontario. Questa iniziativa integra l'impianto BAM pianificato da Northern in Francia, designato come Progetto Strategico ai sensi del Regolamento UE sulle Materie Prime Critiche.
Northern Graphite (NGPHF) y BMI Group han anunciado una alianza para evaluar la viabilidad de establecer una planta de Material para Ánodos de Baterías (BAM) en una antigua fábrica de papel en Baie-Comeau, Quebec. La planta propuesta apunta a una capacidad de 50,000 toneladas por año en la Fase 1.
El proyecto estaría ubicado en Norderra, el nodo con infraestructura lista de BMI, o en un terreno greenfield de 300 acres propiedad de la ciudad. Los socios trabajarán con las autoridades locales y proveedores de servicios para asegurar el suministro eléctrico y maximizar los beneficios económicos, minimizando al mismo tiempo el impacto ambiental.
La planta BAM procesaría grafito de la mina LDI de Northern en Quebec y de proyectos en desarrollo en Namibia y Ontario. Esta iniciativa complementa la planta BAM planeada por Northern en Francia, designada como Proyecto Estratégico bajo la Ley de Materias Primas Críticas de la UE.
Northern Graphite (NGPHF)와 BMI 그룹은 캐나다 퀘벡주 베이코모에 위치한 구 제지 공장에 배터리 음극재(BAM) 시설 설립 가능성을 평가하기 위한 파트너십을 발표했습니다. 제안된 시설은 1단계에서 연간 50,000톤의 생산 능력을 목표로 하고 있습니다.
프로젝트는 BMI의 인프라가 준비된 노드인 Norderra 또는 시가 소유한 300에이커 규모의 그린필드 부지 중 한 곳에 위치할 예정입니다. 파트너들은 지역 당국 및 유틸리티 제공업체와 협력하여 전력 공급을 확보하고 경제적 이익을 극대화하는 동시에 환경 영향을 최소화할 계획입니다.
BAM 시설은 퀘벡의 Northern LDI 광산과 나미비아 및 온타리오의 개발 프로젝트에서 채굴된 흑연을 처리할 예정입니다. 이 이니셔티브는 EU의 핵심 원자재법에 따라 전략적 프로젝트로 지정된 프랑스 내 Northern의 BAM 시설 계획을 보완합니다.
Northern Graphite (NGPHF) et BMI Group ont annoncé un partenariat pour évaluer la faisabilité d’établir une installation de Matériau d’Anode pour Batterie (BAM) dans une ancienne usine de papier à Baie-Comeau, Québec. L’installation proposée vise une capacité de 50 000 tonnes par an pour la Phase 1.
Le projet serait situé soit à Norderra, le nœud prêt à l’emploi de BMI, soit sur un terrain vierge de 300 acres appartenant à la ville. Les partenaires travailleront avec les autorités locales et les fournisseurs d’énergie pour garantir l’approvisionnement en électricité et maximiser les bénéfices économiques tout en minimisant les impacts environnementaux.
L’installation BAM traiterait le graphite provenant de la mine LDI de Northern au Québec ainsi que des projets de développement en Namibie et en Ontario. Cette initiative complète l’installation BAM prévue par Northern en France, désignée comme Projet Stratégique dans le cadre de la loi européenne sur les matières premières critiques.
Northern Graphite (NGPHF) und die BMI Group haben eine Partnerschaft angekündigt, um die Machbarkeit der Errichtung einer Batterie-Anodenmaterial (BAM)-Anlage in einer ehemaligen Papierfabrik in Baie-Comeau, Quebec, zu prüfen. Die geplante Anlage soll in Phase 1 eine Kapazität von 50.000 Tonnen pro Jahr erreichen.
Das Projekt soll entweder am Norderra-Standort, dem infrastrukturbereiten Knotenpunkt von BMI, oder auf einem 300 Hektar großen Greenfield-Gelände im Besitz der Stadt errichtet werden. Die Partner werden mit lokalen Behörden und Versorgungsunternehmen zusammenarbeiten, um die Stromversorgung sicherzustellen und wirtschaftliche Vorteile zu maximieren, während die Umweltbelastung minimiert wird.
Die BAM-Anlage würde Graphit aus der LDI-Mine von Northern in Quebec sowie aus Entwicklungsprojekten in Namibia und Ontario verarbeiten. Diese Initiative ergänzt die geplante BAM-Anlage von Northern in Frankreich, die im Rahmen des EU-Gesetzes über kritische Rohstoffe als strategisches Projekt ausgewiesen wurde.
- Existing infrastructure at Norderra site could accelerate construction and reduce time to market
- Strategic location with established multimodal industrial hub connectivity
- Potential to become one of world's largest integrated graphite producers
- Multiple graphite supply sources secured from Quebec, Namibia, and Ontario operations
- Project still in evaluation phase with no final site selection
- Power supply agreements yet to be secured
- Required local authority approvals still pending
Proposed site could accelerate time to market and revitalize existing infrastructure
Companies aim to leverage BMI's critical minerals infrastructure and Northern's first mover advantage as North America's only Graphite Producer
Ottawa, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 16, 2025) - Northern Graphite Corporation (TSXV: NGC) (OTCQB: NGPHF) (FSE: 0NG) (XSTU: 0NG) ("Northern" or the "Company") and The BMI Group ("BMI") are pleased to announce that they are partnering to evaluate the feasibility of establishing a Battery Anode Material ("BAM") facility at a former paper mill in Baie-Comeau, Quebec that is being developed by BMI as the Norderra multimodal industrial hub ("Norderra").
Northern and BMI will collaboratively engage local authorities and utility providers to secure the necessary power supply to build a Stage 1, 50,000 tonnes-per-year BAM hub in Baie-Comeau and to maximize the site's economic benefits and minimize its environmental impacts with respect to the city, the Innu of Pessamit and other local stake holders. The partners will also review the site's viability from the perspective of operational requirements, infrastructure and zoning regulations.
"Reactivating this site with all of its established infrastructure could accelerate construction of a BAM plant, reduce time to market and advance Quebec and Canada's critical mineral strategy while creating new jobs and economic stimulus for the region," said Northern CEO Hugues Jacquemin. "With graphite demand projected to surge in coming years, this is an opportunity to position Canada as a leader in battery materials essential for EVs and renewable energy."
The proposed Baie-Comeau BAM hub could be located at either Norderra, BMI's infrastructure-ready node on its planned Critical Mineral Corridor which connects northern Ontario and Quebec's mineral resources with manufacturing hubs and global markets, or at an alternative 300-acre greenfield site owned by the city. Northern is currently evaluating both options but the Norderra location has significant advantages in terms of existing infrastructure and speed to market.
"This partnership would significantly contribute to putting the former mill's infrastructure to use, advancing the Norderra development, and unlocking the full potential of the region's graphite resources," said Paul Veldman, CEO of The BMI Group.
Battery Anode Material, the single largest component of lithium-ion batteries, is made by upgrading graphite mine concentrate to the exacting specifications of EV battery manufacturers and Northern's Baie-Comeau initiative addresses this critical need that is currently missing from the energy transition supply chain.
If the partnership proceeds, it would advance the BMI Group's burgeoning critical minerals infrastructure as well as help turn Northern into one of the world's largest integrated graphite producers. Feedstock will be supplied from Northern's LDI mine in Quebec and development projects in Namibia, and Ontario. The Baie-Comeau plant will complement Northern's planned BAM facility in France, recently selected as a Strategic Project under the EU's Critical Raw Materials Act.
About The Critical Mineral Corridor
BMI Group's Critical Mineral Corridor is being structured to connect Ontario and Quebec's mineral resource regions to global markets through strategic infrastructure. The network establishes three key connection points: the Port of Red Rock development as the northernmost port on the Great Lakes and closest to the region's lithium deposits and Ring of Fire; the Bioveld Niagara multimodal enterprise campus in Thorold-part of the Niagara Ports Network in partnership with HOPA and Norderra in Baie-Comeau at the mouth of the Atlantic. This integrated system creates a stable, secure supply chain for lithium, graphite nickel, copper, and cobalt. These minerals, essential for electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies, will flow through this corridor from Canadian deposits to manufacturing centers and European markets. The corridor will also integrate minerals from international sources, further strengthening its role as a comprehensive mineral processing and distribution network.
About The BMI Group
The BMI Group specializes in "ready-stating and re-futuring" strategic properties for high-impact, multi-use developments across the industrial, commercial, residential, and hospitality sectors. With a focus on enhancing social and economic potential through multi-sector collaboration, BMI delivers new opportunities for investment, innovation, and community revitalization. For more information, please visit: www.thebmigroup.ca.
BMI Media Contact:
Olga Patronik
Executive Project Coordinator, BMI
olga@thebmigroup.ca
1-888-264-4258
About Northern Graphite
Northern, the only flake graphite producing company in North America, is a Canadian, TSX Venture Exchange listed company that 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 and is focused on developing advanced anode materials to improve the cycle life and increase the charging rate of lithium ion batteries and on marketing Northern's patented Porocarb® product.
Northern's graphite assets include the producing Lac des Iles mine in Quebec where the Company plans to increase production to meet growing demand from industrial customers and coming demand from North American battery makers. The Company also owns the large-scale, advanced stage Bissett Creek project in Ontario, the Mousseau Project in Quebec and the fully permitted Okanjande graphite mine in Namibia that is currently on care and maintenance. 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 proposal to produce and sell BAM and development plans with respect to the LDI, Okanjande and Bissett Creek projects. 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/248644
FAQ
What is the planned production capacity of NGPHF's proposed Baie-Comeau BAM facility?
Where will NGPHF source graphite for the Baie-Comeau BAM facility?
What are the two potential locations being considered for NGPHF's BAM facility in Baie-Comeau?
How does the Baie-Comeau BAM facility fit into NGPHF's global strategy?
