NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN THE UNITED STATES

SAINT-MICHEL-DES-SAINTS, Quebec, Dec. 20, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NOUVEAU MONDE GRAPHITE INC. (the “Corporation” or “Nouveau Monde”) (TSX Venture Exchange: NOU) (OTCQX: NMGRF) (Francfort: NM9) announces that it has closed a financing with Investissement Québec for an aggregate amount of $4,665,000 through four loan offers for which the first tranche of an amount of $3,361,788 has been received while the second tranche will be received in 2019 pursuant to Nouveau Monde’s cash flow needs but subject to the achievement of conditions set forth in the loan offers.

Two of the loan offers are of an aggregate amount of $943,000, which amount bears interest at the actual preferential rate of 3.95% per year increased of 2.3%. The interests shall be paid on a monthly basis for the duration of the term while the repayment of capital shall be paid at the end of the term, at the latest, being June 30, 2019.

The two other loan offers are of an aggregate amount of $3,722,000, which amount bears interest at the actual preferential rate of 3.95% per year increased of 2.43%. The interests shall be paid on a monthly basis for the duration of the term while the repayment of capital shall be paid at the end of the term, at the latest, being June 30, 2020. In order to secure its obligations set forth in the loan offers, Nouveau Monde granted first ranking mortgages for an aggregate amount of $4,665,000 charging the universality of its present and future claims and accounts receivables.

During 2018, Nouveau Monde entered into grant agreements related to grants from different levels of government for an aggregate amount of $1,188,225. Pursuant to those agreements, Nouveau Monde received to this day an amount of $79,940 and Nouveau Monde anticipates receiving the outstanding amounts in 2019.

Eric Desaulniers, President and Chief Executive Officer of Nouveau Monde stated:

“Government financial support is an important tool to encourage development and innovation. We are privileged that our governments recognize the importance of supporting local businesses and that our partners are committed to innovation in the development of our Matawinie project.”

About Nouveau Monde Graphite

Nouveau Monde is striving to become a key contributor to the sustainable energy revolution. The Company is working towards developing a fully integrated source of carbon-neutral battery anode material in Québec, Canada for the growing lithium-ion and fuel cell markets. With low-cost operations and enviable ESG standards, Nouveau Monde aspires to become a strategic supplier to the world’s leading battery and automobile manufacturers, providing high-performing and reliable advanced materials while promoting sustainability and supply chain traceability.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release including, but not limited to those describing the Company’s intended production of carbon-neutral advanced graphite materials, the Company’s ESG goals, aspirations and commitments, including the Company’s aim at circularity and its intended transition from carbon neutrality to Net Zero, the Company’s initiatives outlined in the ESG Report and the achievement of the targets described therein, the deployment of the Sustainability Action Plan and the Climate Action Plan, the Company’s commitment to our Zero-Harm philosophy, the Company’s development plans, the timeline and progress of the initiatives described in this press release, , the intended results of the initiatives described in this press release, and those statements which are discussed under the “About Nouveau Monde Graphite” paragraph and elsewhere in the press release which essentially describe the Company’s outlook and objectives, constitute “forward-looking information” or “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of Canadian and United States securities laws, and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as of the time of this press release. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company as of the time of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. These estimates and assumptions may prove to be incorrect. Moreover, these forward-looking statements were based upon various underlying factors and assumptions, including the current technological trends, the business relationship between the Company and its stakeholders, the ability to operate in a safe and effective manner, the timely delivery and installation of the equipment supporting the production, the Company’s business prospects and opportunities and estimates of the operational performance of the equipment, and are not guarantees of future performance.

Forward-looking statements are subject to known or unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. Risk factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among others, delays in the scheduled delivery times of the equipment, the ability of the Company to successfully implement its strategic initiatives and whether such strategic initiatives will yield the expected benefits, the availability of financing or financing on favorable terms for the Company, the dependence on commodity prices, the impact of inflation on costs, the risks of obtaining the necessary permits, the operating performance of the Company’s assets and businesses, competitive factors in the graphite mining and production industry, changes in laws and regulations affecting the Company’s businesses, political and social acceptability risk, environmental regulation risk, currency and exchange rate risk, technological developments, the impacts of the global COVID-19 pandemic and the governments’ responses thereto, and general economic conditions, as well as earnings, capital expenditure, cash flow and capital structure risks and general business risks. A further description of risks and uncertainties can be found in NMG’s Annual Information Form dated March 22, 2022, including in the section thereof captioned “Risk Factors”, which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. Unpredictable or unknown factors not discussed in this Cautionary Note could also have material adverse effects on forward-looking statements.

Many of these uncertainties and contingencies can directly or indirectly affect, and could cause, actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about management’s expectations and plans relating to the future. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Further information regarding the Company is available in the SEDAR database (www.sedar.com), and for United States readers on EDGAR (www.sec.gov), and on the Company’s website at: www.NMG.com.