Nouveau Monde Graphite Inc. (NMG) has secured major construction contracts that cover more than half of the capital expenditure for its Phase‑2 Matawinie Mine, a project designated a national interest by the Canadian government. The agreements, announced on February 18 and 19, 2026, give the company a firm footing as it moves toward a Final Investment Decision (FID).
The contracts were awarded to a group of partners that include Manawan‑Fournier for civil works, Beauce‑Atlas for steel structures, Metso for processing equipment, and Pomerleau as the construction manager. All agreements are contingent on a positive FID, allowing NMG to mobilize immediately and keep the project within the pricing envelope outlined in its latest feasibility study.
By locking in pricing and capacity ahead of the FID, NMG has de‑risked a significant portion of the project’s execution phase. The early commitment also strengthens the company’s case for the substantial financing it seeks to fund the mine and the downstream processing plant, which is expected to begin construction in Q1 2026 and reach commercial production by mid‑2028. NMG had already received letters of interest for over C$1 billion in project debt financing in June 2025, and the new contracts reinforce that financing narrative.
The civil‑works package was awarded to Manawan‑Fournier, an Atikamekw joint‑venture between L. Fournier & Fils and the Manawan Atikamekw Band Council. NMG has highlighted its ongoing engagement with the Manawan First Nation through training and employment opportunities, and it has signed an Impact and Benefit Agreement with the Conseil des Atikamekw de Manawan. This partnership underscores the company’s commitment to local and Indigenous participation.
The Matawinie Mine is a cornerstone of Canada’s critical‑minerals strategy and a key component of the Critical Minerals Production Alliance, a Canada‑led G7 initiative. The national‑interest designation signals the project’s importance for economic growth and the development of an integrated graphite value chain in Canada. The new construction contracts represent a decisive step toward realizing that strategic objective.
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