Construction Begins on Matawinie Mine as Canada Expands Critical Minerals Strategy
Matawinie Mine to Become Largest Graphite Mine in North America
SAINT-MICHEL-DES-SAINTS, Québec — Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Monday that construction has officially begun on Nouveau Monde Graphite’s Matawinie Mine project in Québec, marking a major milestone in Canada’s growing critical minerals and clean technology strategy.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the project advanced from referral to the federal Major Projects Office (MPO) to active construction in less than six months.
Once completed, the Matawinie Mine is expected to become the largest graphite mine in North America and across the G7, producing up to 106,000 tonnes of graphite annually.
Graphite is considered a critical mineral for electric vehicle batteries, energy storage systems, aerospace technologies, advanced manufacturing, and defence industries.
Canada positioning itself as critical minerals supplier
Federal officials say the project is designed to strengthen Canada’s position as a reliable supplier of responsibly sourced critical minerals for global markets, including Europe and Asia.
Prime Minister Carney said the project demonstrates Canada’s effort to move major industrial and resource projects forward more quickly while building domestic supply chains.
“Canada has what the world wants – and we’re moving at speed to get it to market,” Carney said in a statement released Monday.
The Matawinie Mine is projected to:
- Create more than 1,000 jobs
- Generate nearly $2 billion in investment
- Support Canada’s battery and EV manufacturing sectors
- Reduce reliance on foreign graphite supply chains
EN DIRECT : de la mine Matawinie au Québec • LIVE: from the Matawinie Mine in Québec https://t.co/Y6CEIhkZEo
— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) May 19, 2026
Integrated graphite production in Québec
Nouveau Monde Graphite plans to integrate the mine with a battery material plant in Bécancour, Québec, creating what the company says will become Canada’s first fully integrated graphite operation — from extraction through processing and refining.
The company says both facilities will operate primarily using Québec hydroelectricity, enabling an all-electric production model with lower greenhouse gas emissions than many conventional graphite operations globally.
Federal officials described the project as part of Canada’s broader effort to build a domestic low-carbon industrial supply chain tied to electric vehicles and clean technology manufacturing.
Federal financing and strategic support
The Government of Canada confirmed several financial and commercial measures supporting the project, including:
- A seven-year federal offtake agreement for 30,000 tonnes of graphite concentrate annually
- A $459 million financing package from Export Development Canada and the Canada Infrastructure Bank
- A $113 million strategic investment through the Canada Growth Fund
- An additional $4.4 million through Natural Resources Canada’s Energy Innovation Program
Officials say the federal government also coordinated support across multiple departments and agencies through the Major Projects Office to accelerate permitting, financing, and commercial arrangements.
Indigenous partnership and economic strategy
The project also includes an Impact Benefit Agreement signed in 2024 between Nouveau Monde Graphite and the Conseil des Atikamekw de Manawan.
According to the federal government, the agreement includes commitments tied to:
- Employment and training
- Environmental stewardship
- Business opportunities
- Financial benefits for the community
- Protection of Atikamekw culture and land
The Matawinie Mine was also included in the first round of projects announced under the G7 Critical Minerals Production Alliance launched during the 2025 G7 Summit in Alberta.
Federal officials say Canada has announced 56 critical minerals investments and partnerships worth more than $18 billion since the alliance was introduced.
Major Projects Office continues expansion
The project forms part of the federal government’s larger push to accelerate “nation-building” infrastructure and industrial projects through the Major Projects Office.
Since launching in 2025, the MPO has referred 22 projects and development strategies representing more than $126 billion in potential investment across sectors including:
- Critical minerals
- LNG
- Nuclear energy
- Transportation infrastructure
Federal officials say the office is intended to reduce delays and improve coordination between departments for major economic projects.
Source: Prime Minister’s Office (pm.gc.ca)
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