Nouveau Monde Graphite Secures $213M Strategic Equity Investment From Canada Growth Fund, Investissement Québec, And Eni, Alongside $84M Bought-Deal Public Offering To Fully Finance Phase-2 Matawinie Mine And Advance 13-ktpa Bécancour Battery Material Plant Toward FID

• Canada Growth Fund, the Government of Québec, through Investissement Québec, and Eni S.p.A., commit to an aggregate US$213 million equity investment, to support the advancement of NMG's Phase-2 Matawinie Mine project
• Concurrent US$84 million bought deal public offering of subscription receipts, completing the equity component of the Phase-2 Matawinie Mine financing package
• Equity financing, together with previously announced US$335 million project debt facilities commitment, is expected to fully secure the funds required for the Phase‑2 Matawinie Mine and advance the project to FID
• Completion of the private placement by Canada Growth Fund, the Government of Québec via its agent Investissement Québec, and Eni is subject to specified shareholder approvals in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements; annual and special shareholder meeting scheduled for May 13, 2026, via webcast
• Eni's equity investment complemented by a letter of intent to advance commercial discussions toward a potential 15,000-tpa graphite concentrate offtake from the Phase-2 Matawinie Mine or equivalent in active anode material
• Phase-2 Matawinie Mine financing enables the start of NMG's execution strategy for an integrated mine-to-anode-material value chain; 13-ktpa Bécancour Battery Material Plant targeted to reach FID in H2-2026
• Panasonic and Mitsui have indicated their intention to vote in favor of the approvals required in connection with the private placements
  
   

BASE SHELF PROSPECTUS IS ACCESSIBLE, AND THE SHELF PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT WILL BE ACCESSIBLE WITHIN TWO BUSINESS DAYS ON SEDAR+ AND EDGAR

MONTRÉAL, April 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nouveau Monde Graphite Inc. ("NMG" or the "Company") (NYSE:NMG, TSX:NOU) is pleased to announce an equity investment of US$82 million by Canada Growth Fund Inc. ("CGF"), US$61 million by the Government of Québec, through Investissement Québec ("IQ"), and US$70 million by Eni S.p.A. ("Eni") – a global integrated energy company – respectively, in NMG for an aggregate investment amount of US$213 million (the "Private Placement"), subject to, among other things, receipt of the Shareholder Approvals (as defined below). NMG is also announcing the launch of a concurrent bought deal public offering of subscription receipts, which, together with the Private Placement, comprise the equity component of the financing package for the phased development of the commercial operations of its Matawinie Mine (the "Phase-2 Matawinie Mine"). Together with the previously announced senior project debt facilities of US$335 million commitment (the "Facilities") and on the basis of accessing the Facilities committed, the net proceeds from the equity financing, once available to the Company, are expected to fully fund the Phase‑2 Matawinie Mine and positions NMG to advance toward final investment decision ("FID") and construction. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering (as defined below), and the Private Placement and the funds available under the Facilities, for: (i) funding the design, engineering and construction of the Phase-2 Matawinie Mine, and (ii) for general and administrative expenses and general working capital of the Company.