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Quebec lithium producer Sayona and the company Ramo are pleased to announce their partnership in a unique technological showcase project focused on the circular economy and sustainable development at the site of the Lithium Complex North America (LAN) owned by Sayona.

"Combining plant engineering with technological engineering, this project allows to balance the needs of the mining industry in terms of water management, the needs of organic materials to maintain environmental quality and the involvement of the companies in the region." It's a perfect recipe for harmonious sustainable development, right here in Abitibi-Témiscamingue. Sayona is very proud to be the first mining company in Quebec to implement this pilot and innovative project", commented Jean-Luc Bugnon, Vice President Environment of Sayona.

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https://www.sayona.ca/nos-nouvelles/sayona-et-ramo-sunissent-pour-la-valorisation-des-eaux-minieres-grace-a-la-technologie-evaplant-et-a-la-plantation-de-20-000-saules/?fbclid=IwAR1pMZNYXkZZ-wRfijPuj8tAXfmJgiajHwAsrTaIFIqvXKFfghnSE1tHiKo

January 11, 2024

Sayona and Ramo join forces for the valorization of mining water using Evaplant technology and the planting of 20,000 willows.

La Corne, January 10, 2024. –Quebec lithium producer Sayona and the company Ramo are pleased to announce their partnership in a unique technological showcase project focused on the circular economy and sustainable development at the Complexe Lithium America site. of the North (LAN) held by Sayona.

This technological showcase consists of the use of Ramo's Evaplant technology to enhance and reduce the volume of a portion of the mining water generated by the LAN Complex. Evaplant technology is a zero liquid discharge solution that leverages the high water consumption and transpiration of fast-growing willows in order to reduce industrial water discharge, enhance the resources contained in this water and capture atmospheric carbon. . This is a first use of this innovative technology in the mining industry.

The Evaplant system, which includes 20,000 fast-growing willows, was set up in the summer of 2023 at the LAN Complex with a view to being put into operation from spring 2024. In this first phase, the system will make it possible to valorize nearly of 3,100 cubic meters of mining water and capture 16 tonnes of CO ₂ equivalent per year.

The biomass produced by the willows will also play a role in the progressive restoration of the site, thus closing the environmental circular economy loop: every three years, the willows from the system will be harvested in the form of shavings, then used as organic inputs for the restoration progressive of the LAN Complex.

This collaboration, part of the Towards Sustainable Mining Development (VDMD) initiative of the Mining Association of Canada, forms a concrete gesture for the benefit of the environment which will allow Sayona to valorize the water used as part of its operations, in addition to having a positive impact on the carbon footprint, soil quality and biodiversity.

The implementation of this project was made possible thanks to the financial support of the Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Energy (MEIE) and the support of the Consortium for Research and Innovation in Industrial Bioprocesses of Quebec (CRIBIQ) as part of the Support for Industrial Innovations for the Transition to a Circular Economy ( SI ² TEC ) program, which aims to accelerate the development of industrial synergy projects, promote the circular economy, and improve performance environmental issues of businesses. Sayona will benefit from financial assistance of $415,200 for the completion of the project.

“ Combining plant engineering with technological engineering, this project reconciles the needs of the mining industry with regard to water management, the needs for organic materials to maintain environmental quality and the involvement of businesses in the region. This is a perfect recipe for harmonious sustainable development, right here in Abitibi-Témiscamingue. Sayona is very proud to be the first Quebec mining company to implement this innovative pilot project ,” commented Jean-Luc Bugnon, Vice-President Environment of Sayona.

“ This partnership between Sayona and Ramo is a convincing example of a project with a net positive impact in the mining industry. By using Evaplant technology to reduce liquid discharges from the North America Lithium Complex, we will not only contribute to reducing the environmental footprint of the site , but we will also enhance the resources contained in the site's mining waters, capture atmospheric carbon and participate to improving regional biodiversity. This is a demonstration of our commitment to a more sustainable future ,” commented Xavier Lachapelle-T., partner and director of phytotechnologies at Ramo.

“This collaboration between Sayona and Ramo proves that it is possible to combine economy and environment. It is thanks to innovative initiatives like this that we will produce, at home, the greenest battery in the world ,” added Mr. Pierre Fitzgibbon, Minister of the Economy, Innovation and Development. Energy, Minister responsible for Regional Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Metropolis and the Montreal region.

About Ramo

Ramo responds to environmental challenges with solutions based on nature. Leader in the cultivation of willows in North America since 2006, the company offers willow planting services, reduction of wastewater volumes, management of fertilizer residual materials and production of wood chips for environmental uses. . It is involved in more than 1,000 hectares of plantations across Quebec, Alberta and the United States.

About Sayona

Sayona is a company dedicated to the exploration and development of lithium deposits, the raw material used in the manufacture of electric batteries. The company is developing various projects which are all located in Quebec. It notably owns the North America Lithium Complex which entered production in spring 2023. The Complex is a centerpiece of the lithium pole that it wishes to establish in Abitibi-Témiscamingue. In this regard, Sayona owns the Authier and Tansim deposits. Sayona also owns 60% of the Moblan project and 100% of the Lac-Albert project, both of which are located in the Eeyou Istchee Baie-James territory.

The company is a subsidiary of Sayona Mining Limited which is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. Thanks to a market value of around 1 billion Canadian dollars, it entered the S&P/ASX200 which includes the 200 companies with the largest market capitalizations in the country. Almost all of Sayona Mining Limited's activities are carried out in Quebec.

Information and media requests

Jérôme Verry – Communications and Marketing Director – Ramo
C: (514) 550 7680 – Email: [email protected]

Cindy Valence – Executive Vice President and Chief Sustainable Development Officer
C: (819) 277-5396 – Email: [email protected]

Bianca Galimi – Communications and Community Relations Manager
C: (819) 856-3288 – Email: [email protected]

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Figure 1: Willow planting work on the LAN site

Figure 2: Planted willows

Figure 3: Mining water and willow plantation

Figure 4: Evaplant control center