We are committed to the health, safety, and socioeconomic well-being of our team and local communities, as they are what propel our success and growth.

We have developed a number of mechanisms to ensure that we are in tune with the community, and are constantly working to improve them.

Safe work environment for staff and business partners

Transparent advanced consultations and respect for Indigenous rights

Health plan for our employees and their families

Partnerships and sponsorships for community vitality

Fostering social dialogue

ENGAGING WITH COMMUNITIES AND FIRST NATIONS

Our projects are embedded in different and dynamic territories, marked by unique heritages, communities, interests, and priorities. We promote a tailored approach to stakeholder engagement, respectful of First Nations’ rights and context on their ancestral land.

PARTNERED DEVELOPMENT

Matawinie Mine

Saint-Michel-des-Saints / Nitaskinan

The Matawinie Mine is located in Saint-Michel-des-Saints, about 2 hours north of Montréal, Québec. The project is located in Nitaskinan, the vast ancestral territory of the Atikamekw Nehirowisiw, 85 km from the First Nation community of Manawan.

NMG signed a collaboration and benefit-sharing agreement with the municipality of Saint-Michel-des-Saints to set out a concrete social, economic, and environmental development partnership through financial and participatory mechanisms.

NMG signed a framework agreement with the Conseil des Atikamekw de Manawan and Conseil de la Nation Atikamekw in 2018 as well as a predevelopment agreement in 2019. Active discussions are ongoing to finalize an impact and benefit agreement.

Since the start of the exploration phase, we have maintained close ties with local citizens, cottagers, land users, community groups, socioeconomic organizations, local governments, and interest groups in the region. The Matawinie Mine has also undergone public consultations. A monitoring committee composed of community representatives is assisting NMG in responsibly developing the Matawinie Mine.

Bécancour Battery Material Plant

Bécancour / Ndakina

The Bécancour Battery Material Plant is located in the Bécancour industrial park about 150 km northeast of Montréal, Québec. The project is located in Ndakina, which is the ancestral land of the Abenaki, about 5 km from the Wôlinak First Nation.

Thanks to our community engagement activities and concerted efforts with stakeholders who are developing the battery industry with help from the Québec government, we are openly and proactively dialoguing with these communities to maximize local benefits, promote industrial synergies, and mitigate any potential impacts of our project.

NMG is working on initiatives with W8banaki and hopes to establish a long-term relationship with the Abenaki from Wôlinak.

Uatnan Mining Project

Rivières-aux-Outardes Area / Nitassinan

The Uatnan Mining Project is located approximately 285 km north of Baie-Comeau in the Rivières-aux-Outardes unorganized region in Québec’s Côte-Nord territory.

The deposit is in Nitassinan, the ancestral territory of the Pessamit Innu in an area called Ka uatshinakanishkat, which means “where there is tamarack.” Uatnan, which means “tamarack” in Innu-aimun, was chosen in collaboration with First Nation representatives to identify the project.

In 2022, we launched community engagement efforts to renew the project’s development as well as relationships of trust that Mason Graphite had established in the region. NMG met with the Innu First Nation of Pessamit along with local stakeholders, partners, and the former monitoring committee. NMG is listening to what they have to say!

Questions? Concerns?

We acknowledge that our activities and operations may have both negative and positive impacts and have therefore put concrete mechanisms in place for stakeholders to provide feedback.

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INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

We value our relationships with Indigenous Peoples.

We recognize their deep ties to the land, water, territory, and resources. Respect for the rights of Indigenous Peoples, recognition of their traditional knowledge, their participation in environmental excellence, and their help to make our projects a success are all a key part of our commitment to Indigenous Peoples, communities and organizations.

We strive to maintain and develop positive, constructive relationships with these communities.

Respect for rights, culture, and traditional knowledge

Corporate policy guiding our commitment

Differentiated measures to support training and employment

Educating Team Nouveau Monde and raising awareness

Promotion of business opportunities

OPPORTUNITIES & PARTNERSHIPS

NMG works to develop and maintain positive relationships with the community. NMG therefore signed a collaboration and benefit-sharing agreement with the municipality of Saint-Michel-des-Saints to set out a concrete social, economic and environmental development partnership through financial and participatory mechanisms.

Active discussions are ongoing with the Atikamekw First Nation to finalize a similar agreement.

NMG supports the socioeconomic development and well-being of its communities and maintains initiatives aligned with its corporate values and sustainable development objectives.

Our projects are a catalyst for the socioeconomic development of our communities.

  • Over 500 jobs to be created in the regions that are home to our Phase-2 projects
  • Planned investments of over $1.4 billion, with economic spinoffs for communities and Québec
  • Paid work-study vocational programs that lead to a diploma and a job

  • Priority given to local workers and suppliers through our Responsible Procurement Policy

  • Sociovocational integration program for members of Indigenous communities

  • Active participation in local social, cultural, and economic development activities and collaboration on key projects such as accommodation and attractiveness of the region

  • Donation and sponsorship program for our communities

  • Territory integration plan so that the Matawinie Mine benefits the community thanks to the creation of a recreational site

Isabelle Levasseur

Manager Community Relations

+1 450 757-8905 #220

Kelly LeBlanc

Manager Indigenous Relations

+1 450 757-8905 #280

TEam NOUVEAU MONDE

Our employees are our greatest asset. They bring our vision to life and make it better. Their support and innovation foster our company’s responsible growth.

At NMG, we focus on building an entrepreneurial and engaging culture with equal opportunities along with equity, workplace inclusion, and chances for professional development.

We work to protect the rights and interests of our staff and communities, including vulnerable populations such as children, throughout our operations and with our business partners.

NMG aims to be recognized as an employer of choice and a preferred business partner.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Safety is paramount. For our employees, subcontractors, families, communities and the environment. Our activities and management are underpinned by our zero-harm philosophy, which aims to prevent, minimize, and manage environmental, occupational health and safety risks.

Since graphite extraction and processing generate crystalline silica, NMG has developed and implemented a health program that includes respiratory protection and related work protocols.

Our commitments also carries over to our subcontractors through our procurement and contracting protocols and to visitors to our sites.

Health and Safety Policy

DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION

We see diversity as a driver of strategy, creative thinking, and performance. We are committed to creating a culturally respectful and inclusive environment for minority groups, with special measures for Indigenous Peoples.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy  

Board Diversity Policy

Attracting new families to the region: Carl-André’s story

From his bustling Montréal life, Carl‑André traveled to northern Québec to embark on a Vocational Studies Diploma training in ore processing operations. Upon graduation, he moved with his spouse and newborn son to Saint-Michel-des-Saints to join Team Nouveau Monde.

“From the get-go, I knew that I wanted to work for NMG, a mine in the making that aligns with my ecoresponsible values. Although 2020 was difficult globally, it was a pivotal year for me. I had the happiness of experiencing the birth of my son and the pleasure of getting the job I wanted. I’m now within walking distance of work, with the woman I love by my side and our happy baby in a municipality that we love more and more every day.”

Helping Shape a Net Zero Future: Gabriel’s story

Gabriel aspires to make an impact on society and the planet’s future through his work. Taking on the role of Manager, Carbon Neutrality Program at NMG proved to be his opportunity to shift his efforts and expertise from corrective environmental measures to proactive and innovative climate solutions. The most important project Gabriel has worked on so far is the development and publication of NMG’s Climate Action Plan 2022-2030+. 

“I’m proud of this action plan, which is on a scale that few start-ups can adopt. This plan demonstrates NMG’s climate commitment and seriousness. The resulting projects I work on are really making a difference, which keenly motivates me every day.”

Finding your place: Hantsa’s journey

Originally from Madagascar, Hantsa has always had a passion for mining and a love of nature.

Now a resident of the magnificent region of Upper Matawinie, she is a laboratory technician at NMG’s Phase-1 plant.

“NMG’s commitment to sustainable development means a lot to me. Nature is so precious; it’s our duty to ensure a responsible energy transition. What I love most about my job is that innovation drives everything we do. We are constantly evolving and improving our processes and procedures. That’s really motivating!”

WELL-BEING AND DEVELOPMENT

We are committed to the well-being and development of our staff; here are some of the measures in place for Team Nouveau Monde:

A woman smiling after a race.

  • Hybrid work schedules for numerous positions

  • Measures facilitating work-study balance

  • Employee assistance program and telehealth services

  • Benefit plan with insurance coverage and medical and dental care that can be extended to family members

  • Biannual employee summits regrouping all staff and executives

  • Performance reviews

  • Flexible schedule for management positions

  • Continuing education and professional development

  • Internal promotion opportunities

  • Annual sports challenge

Joining Team Nouveau Monde is both an attractive career move and an opportunity to drive global efforts toward a sustainable future.