Caterpillar and Quebec’s Nouveau Monde to Collaborate on Zero-Emission Solutions for Mining
Nouveau Monde and Caterpillar have signed an agreement for Caterpillar to develop, test and produce Cat “zero-emission machines” for the Matawinie graphite mining project in Saint-Michel-des-Saints, Québec, Canada. The goal is to become the exclusive supplier of an all-electric mining fleet for deployment at Nouveau Monde’s Matawinie mine by 2028.
“I recall our first meeting with Caterpillar some two years ago, outlining our vision of a zero-emission mine in Québec,” said Arne Frandsen, chairman of Nouveau Monde. "Our commitment to this vision has taken us to this very important moment, not only for Nouveau Monde, but for the global mining industry as a whole. Today, alongside Caterpillar, which in my opinion is the most trusted and reputable supplier of heavy-mining equipment worldwide, we can bring the zero-emission machines vision into reality. I think it is remarkable that Nouveau Monde, as a representative for the new style green resources industry, is part of spearheading the electrification of the industry, by collaborating with Caterpillar.”
“We are proud to be a driving force for our peers as we strive to electrify our operations to meet our carbon neutrality commitments while maintaining the productivity and efficiency standards of our mining operations,” said Eric Desaulniers, founder, president and CEO of Nouveau Monde. “Even more gratifying and important to our corporate mission is that our project can serve as a springboard for the future of the mining industry by collaborating with Caterpillar on these cutting-edge technologies.”
Looking to accelerate and tailor the equipment development, Caterpillar will engage with Nouveau Monde’s team to incorporate the voice of customers throughout the development, and for testing of the zero-emission fleet and infrastructure prior to commercial production.
“The collaboration between Caterpillar and Nouveau Monde marks an important milestone in the mining industry,” said Denise Johnson, Caterpillar group president. “Through integrated technology, machines and services, the entire Caterpillar team is proud to support Nouveau Monde as they work towards constructing and establishing their first zero emission mine.”
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 green battery anode material in Québec, Canada. Targeting commercial operations by 2023, the company is developing advanced carbon-neutral graphite-based material solutions 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.
About the Author
Michael Roth
Editor
Michael Roth has covered the equipment rental industry full time for RER since 1989 and has served as the magazine’s editor in chief since 1994. He has nearly 30 years experience as a professional journalist. Roth has visited hundreds of rental centers and industry manufacturers, written hundreds of feature stories for RER and thousands of news stories for the magazine and its electronic newsletter RER Reports. Roth has interviewed leading executives for most of the industry’s largest rental companies and manufacturers as well as hundreds of smaller independent companies. He has visited with and reported on rental companies and manufacturers in Europe, Central America and Asia as well as Mexico, Canada and the United States. Roth was co-founder of RER Reports, the industry’s first weekly newsletter, which began as a fax newsletter in 1996, and later became an online newsletter. Roth has spoken at conventions sponsored by the American Rental Association, Associated Equipment Distributors, California Rental Association and other industry events and has spoken before industry groups in several countries. He lives and works in Los Angeles when he’s not traveling to cover industry events.