As I step off the Métro to visit the offices of Nouveau Monde Graphite in Saint-Michel-des-Saints, I’m struck by how this small Quebec town might soon be at the heart of North America’s green energy transition. The federal government just added the company’s Matawinie graphite mine to its major projects list—a significant development for both our province and Canada’s clean energy ambitions.
The air carries that particular November chill we Montrealers know all too well. I’ve been covering Quebec’s natural resources sector for nearly a decade at LCN.today, but this project feels different. Tucked just 120 kilometers north of our bustling metropolis, this mine could transform how electric vehicles are manufactured across the continent.
“This designation is a milestone for Quebec’s mining sector,” explains Eric Desaulniers, founder and CEO of Nouveau Monde Graphite, when I meet him at their headquarters. “Being added to the major projects list means we’ll have a more coordinated approval process with a dedicated federal team overseeing our permits.”
The significance cannot be overstated. Graphite is the primary component in lithium-ion battery anodes, those critical energy storage devices powering everything from phones to electric cars. With global demand for EVs soaring, North America desperately needs domestic sources of these materials.
Walking through Saint-Michel-des-Saints, I notice mixed feelings among locals. At Café Chez Nous on Rue Brassard, opinions flow as freely as their maple-infused coffee.
“We need these jobs,” says Marie Tremblay, whose husband previously worked in forestry. “But we also treasure our land and water. The company must keep its promises about environmental protection.”
The Matawinie project will create approximately 400 jobs during construction and 130 permanent positions once operational. For a region that has struggled since the decline of the lumber industry, these numbers matter profoundly.
Environmental concerns remain central to the conversation. The mine plans to be Canada’s first all-electric open-pit operation, significantly reducing its carbon footprint compared to traditional mining methods. Their commitment includes using electric equipment and implementing a tailings management system designed to minimize environmental impact.
Jean Marchand from the local environmental coalition tells me, “We’re watching closely. The all-electric approach is promising, but we need guarantees about water quality in the Matawin River and protection of wildlife habitats.”
The federal designation comes as critical minerals have become essential to Canada’s economic strategy. Natural Resources Canada estimates the global market for graphite will increase fivefold by 2040, largely driven by clean energy technologies.
Quebec’s abundant hydroelectric power gives operations like Matawinie a significant advantage in producing low-carbon materials. When I mention this to Catherine Morin-Lessard, an energy transition specialist I’ve known from previous reporting assignments, she nods emphatically.
“Quebec has the potential to become a green battery materials hub,” she explains over lunch at a small bistro near Place des Arts. “Our hydroelectricity means these minerals can be processed with a fraction of the emissions compared to China, currently the dominant producer.”
The project still faces hurdles. Indigenous consultation remains ongoing with the Atikamekw community of Manawan. Chief Paul-Émile Ottawa has expressed cautious support, contingent on environmental safeguards and meaningful economic participation for his community.
“We want to be partners, not spectators,” he told me during a phone conversation. “Our ancestors have been stewards of this land for generations.”
Back in Montreal, I meet with Professor Robert Duchesne at McGill University’s Mining and Materials Engineering department. In his office overlooking downtown, maps of Quebec’s mineral deposits cover the walls.
“This isn’t just about one mine,” he explains, pointing to various locations across our province. “It’s about creating a complete supply chain—from extraction to processing to manufacturing—all within North America. The geopolitical implications are enormous.”
Indeed, reducing dependency on Chinese graphite has become a priority for both Canada and the United States. The Matawinie project could produce up to 100,000 tonnes of graphite concentrate annually, enough for roughly one million electric vehicle batteries.
As my Bixi bike carries me along De Maisonneuve toward our LCN offices, I reflect on what this project represents. Quebec has always had a complex relationship with resource development, balancing economic opportunities against environmental and social considerations.
The Matawinie mine embodies these tensions perfectly. If successful, it could position our province as a leader in clean energy materials while creating much-needed jobs in rural communities. If mismanaged, it risks repeating the mistakes of previous resource booms.
What makes this story particularly relevant to us Montrealers is how connected we are to these decisions, even when they happen hours away. The electric vehicles increasingly appearing on our streets, the climate policies our provincial government pursues, and the future of our regional economy all intersect at projects like Matawinie.
As Nouveau Monde Graphite prepares for construction in 2025, all eyes will be on Saint-Michel-des-Saints. For now, this small town stands at the crossroads of Quebec’s mining tradition and our collective clean energy future.
