ArcelorMittal Mining Canada opensits new water treatment plant in Mont-Wright

Fermont, April 17, 2023 – ArcelorMittal Mining Canada G.P. (“ArcelorMittal”) is pleased to announce that it has officially opened a new water treatment facility at its mining complex in Mont-Wright. The event was attended by Kateri Champagne-Jourdain, Quebec’s minister of employment and minister responsible for the Côte-Nord region; Kenny Regis, an elected representative for Innu Takuaikan Uashat mak Mani-utenam (“ITUM”); and Marilène Gill, member of parliament for Manicouagan. In tribute to the Innu people and the Nitassinan territory on which it was built, the facility will be named “Nipi,” which means “water” in the Innu language.

“We’re working to achieve carbon neutrality across all our operations by 2050—protecting the environment is at the heart of everything we do. This CAD 65 million investment in the construction of the Nipi facility is a good example of that,” said Mapi Mobwano, president and CEO of ArcelorMittal Mining Canada. “Since 2018, we’ve implemented a comprehensive five-year investment program worth over CAD 300 million for projects related to the environment and water management, and we’ll continue to work tirelessly to reduce our environmental footprint.”

The Nipi plant was built between April 2021 to March 2023. The commissioning phase has been underway since mid-March, and full-scale operations will begin in a few weeks. Nordikeau, working in partnership with the Innu Nation, will operate the facility.

This project is part of a major mine water management program aimed at facilitating adaptation to climate change and ensuring compliance with environmental laws and regulations. The Nipi facility project involved developing a system of channels and ponds around existing and future tailings piles to capture and treat all runoff south of the Mont-Wright mine into a single final effluent. This will allow the facility to ensure that the water quality of this final effluent meets regulatory standards.

“We’re improving efficiency to reduce environmental risks and eliminate soil contamination. This facility addresses the need to filter runoff from the site, and our communities must continue to work together to find innovative solutions that help maintain a healthy environment,” added Kenny Regis, an elected representative for ITUM.

The Nipi facility will treat approximately 10 million cubic metres of water per year, depending on annual precipitation. It was designed for a 100-year storm event. Its construction required 270,000 man-hours, and more than 4,000 cubic metres of concrete were poured.

About ArcelorMittal Infrastructure Canada and ArcelorMittal Mining Canada

Subsidiaries of ArcelorMittal, a leading steel company and one of the five biggest iron ore producers in the world, ArcelorMittal Infrastructure Canada (“AMIC”) and ArcelorMittal Mining Canada G.P. (“AMMC”) are two complementary companies operating in Quebec’s North Shore region. AMIC transports concentrate between Mont-Wright and Port-Cartier and operates a seaport at Port-Cartier, allowing AMMC products to be transported and shipped to four continents. AMMC produces concentrate and iron oxide pellets for the steel market. The two companies employ over 2,500 people, making ArcelorMittal the biggest employer on the North Shore. To learn more… mines-infrastructure-arcelormittal.com/en