Eric Desaulniers, Nouveau Monde CEO, and Denise Johnson, Caterpillar Group president, sign a collaboration agreement for the development of a zero-emission fleet for the Matawinie Mine. (Photo: Nouveau Monde)
Nouveau Monde and Caterpillar Inc. have signed an agreement where Caterpillar will develop, test and produce Cat “zero-emission machines” for the Matawinie graphite mine in Saint-Michel-des-Saints, Québec, Canada. The goal is for Cat to be the exclusive supplier of an all-electric mining fleet for deployment at Nouveau Monde’s Matawinie mine by 2028. This fleet will be complemented by Nouveau Monde’s access to clean and attractively priced hydroelectricity.
The process began two years ago when Nouveau Monde met with Cat to outline its vision of a zero-emission mine in Québec, Nouveau Monde Chairman Arne H Frandsen said.
Eric Desaulniers, founder, president and CEO of Nouveau Monde said, “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. 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 the customer 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,” Caterpillar Group President Denise Johnson said. “Through integrated technology, machines and services, the entire Caterpillar team is proud to support Nouveau Monde as they work toward constructing and establishing their first zero emission mine.”
