This Preliminary Economic Assessment report describes the proposed mineral processing route for the Uatnan Mining Project, based on historical testwork and metallurgical results.
Report context
This NI 43-101 Technical Report, titled "Preliminary Economic Assessment Report for the Uatnan Mining Project," was prepared for Nouveau Monde Graphite Inc. and Mason Graphite Inc. The report has an effective date of January 10, 2023, and a signature date of February 24, 2023. The project is located in the Côte-Nord Administrative Region, Québec, Canada.
Processing route
Process design basis
The process design basis for the PEA is described in Chapter 17 of the technical report. General process design criteria were established for the proposed concentrator. The plant is designed to process run-of-mine material at a proposed throughput rate. Power requirements for the process plant are included in the design.
Simplified process flowsheet
A simplified process flow diagram is presented in the report. The proposed flowsheet includes a crushing stage, grinding, and flotation circuits for graphite recovery. The concentrator building is included in the site infrastructure description, along with a crusher tower and tailings filtration facility.
Reagents and utilities
Reagents used in the proposed process plant are identified in Table 17-2 of the report. The water management system is described as part of the general plant utilities and services. Power requirements for the process plant are documented in the report.
Metallurgical testing background
Historical testwork for the project includes preliminary testwork, feasibility study testwork, and pilot scale testwork conducted in 2016 and 2018. The preliminary testwork results are summarized in Table 13-1. Comminution test results are summarized in Table 13-3. Concentrate carbon grades from the 2016 pilot scale testwork are shown in Table 13-4, and from the 2018 pilot scale testwork in Table 13-5.
Metallurgical results
The final metallurgical results used for the 2018 Feasibility Study and plant design are presented in Table 13-6. The metallurgical recovery results used for the current PEA are shown in Table 13-7. The metallurgical balance used for the PEA is presented in Table 1-1 of the report.
Key reported parameters
| Parameter | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Metallurgical recovery results | As per Table 13-7 | Used for PEA |
| Concentrate carbon grade – 2016 pilot scale | As per Table 13-4 | Historical testwork |
| Concentrate carbon grade – 2018 pilot scale | As per Table 13-5 | Historical testwork |
| Final results for Feasibility Study and plant design | As per Table 13-6 | Historical testwork |
| Preliminary testwork results | As per Table 13-1 | Historical testwork |
| Comminution test results | As per Table 13-3 | Historical testwork |
| Metallurgical balance for PEA | As per Table 1-1 | Proposed design |
| Process design criteria | As per Table 17-1 | Proposed design |
Project website: https://nmg.com/pea-uatnan/
Technical qualifications
The technical report is a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) as defined under NI 43-101. The processing and metallurgical information is derived from historical testwork and feasibility study results. The report identifies that the Qualified Person responsible for Chapters 13 (Mineral Processing and Metallurgical Testing) and 17 (Recovery Methods) has not visited the Uatnan Property. The metallurgical results used for the PEA are based on previous testwork programs, including preliminary testwork, feasibility study testwork, and pilot scale testwork conducted in 2016 and 2018. No new metallurgical testwork was conducted specifically for this PEA.
Source: NI 43-101 Technical Report, Preliminary Economic Assessment Report for the Uatnan Mining Project, effective January 10, 2023, Chapters 1, 13, and 17.
