Innovation and best practices in Mining: Operations and Processing

Innovation and Best Practice in Tailings Managements: Holistic Approaches to Reduce Footprint

Innovation for Environmental Sustainability Matawinie Project - Nouveau Monde Graphite

Martine Paradis Nouveau Monde Graphite

Caroline Violleau AtkinsRéalis

Abstract

In 2019 AtkinsRéalis (former SNC-Lavalin) was retained by Nouveau Monde Graphite to provide detailed engineering for the Matawinie Project. Nouveau Monde Graphite owns a world-class graphite deposit in Saint-Michel-des-Saints and is committed to extract this resource in an “Responsible mining” framework and will promote this natural resource by creating a circular economy. Nouveau Monde has integrated innovative and at-the-forefront environmental initiatives to limit the footprint of the project and protect local biodiversity, especially through the use of an integrated water management system on site, a co-disposal of tailings and waste rock in accordance with best practice requirements, a progressive restoration of the site through backfilling of the pit and a comprehensive restoration plan, in addition to a strategy under development for an all-electric fleet. This presentation will discuss the innovative aspects of this mining project’s environmental focus: principally the innovative management of mining residues by the co-disposition process. In fact, to ensure long-term sustainability, the co-disposal storage facilities will include a multi-layer capillary barrier cover to lock-in oxygen and allow site revegetation, thus promoting the restoration of the natural ecosystem while reducing environmental risks.

Published in CIM CONNECT 2025 Montréal

Publisher X-CD Journal

Date of Conference May 3–7, 2025