This is a preliminary analysis of a mining project that evaluates its technical and economic viability. It provides essential information to support decision-making regarding costs, mine design, and key challenges. Conducted after the mineral resource assessment, it helps determine whether the project justifies additional investment and reduces risks before committing to major expenses such as permitting or site development.
The La Loutre project is located in the Nominingue-Chénéville deformation zone in south-central Quebec. The property consists of a large contiguous block of 42 mining claims totaling 4,528 hectares (45.3 km²) and is located approximately ~200km northwest of Montreal, in southern Quebec, 230 km southwest of the Nouveau Monde Matawinie project and 100 km southeast of the Imerys Lac-des-Îles graphite and carbon mine.
The study was conducted with the support of:
Coordinated the work in accordance with Regulation 43-101 and designed the surface infrastructure and the treatment plant
This includes geological studies, resource and reserve assessment, open-pit mine design, as well as environmental and water management aspects.
Contributed to the geotechnical design, including tailings management facilities, slope stability, and water management.
Interpreted the metallurgical tests
Resources indicated
Measured resources
Inferred resources
These resources are estimated with a cut-off grade of 0.95% graphite, i.e. the minimum concentration allowing for economical exploitation in the scenario studied
Net present value (NPV)
Internal rate of return (IRR)
Investment recovery possible
Initial investment required to build the mine and infrastructure (CAPEX): $504.5 million
These estimates are based on an average graphite price of US$1,524 per tonne and an exchange rate of CAD$1.42 = US$1.00
The La Loutre project’s processing plant will use a conventional flotation process to produce high-quality graphite concentrates. The processing circuit will include the following main steps:
The project incorporates a water management approach aimed at minimizing disturbances to natural environments and maximizing water recirculation within the process. Mining infrastructure has been designed to avoid permanent watercourses, thereby reducing the need for water diversions.
The mining tailings will be filtered to reduce their moisture content, allowing for the recovery and reuse of water within the treatment process. The water used will come primarily from internal recycling and runoff, with freshwater input limited to the necessary amount.
The contact waters will be collected, directed to sedimentation basins, then treated before being discharged or reused in operations.
The management of tailings and waste rock will be progressively integrated throughout the mine’s life. At the start of operations, they will be temporarily stored on the surface in dedicated facilities, then reused for backfilling openpit mines at the end of operations.
Engineering measures, including the use of tailings to form protective dikes, the installation of drainage systems, and the collection of seepage water, will make it possible to:
Qualified individuals believe that the results of the pre-feasibility study are sufficiently reliable and recommend that the La Loutre project be advanced to the next stage of its development.
Technical and economic evaluation
Declared mineral reserves
Metallurgical testing
Environmental baseline studies
Fieldwork
Comparative studies
Launch of feasibility study
Continue geological exploration
Environmental impact assessment
