Where the mining file stands in La Petite-Nation

Two mining projects are currently in the news in the northern part of the MRC de Papineau: the La Loutre project, between Duhamel and Lac-des-Plages, and the Zed Graphite project in Montpellier. They are separate projects. This article gathers the facts published as of November 2, 2026 and attributes each position to its author.

The La Loutre project

The project. La Loutre is a proposed open-pit graphite mine. According to a feasibility study published by Lomiko Metals in March 2026 and cited by Radio-Canada, the mine could operate for 28 years, nearly double the previous estimate.

The owner. On October 6, 2026, Lomiko Metals announced the completion of the transaction in which Global Battery Materials, a Toronto group, acquired all of its shares at $0.13 a share. When the deal was announced, Lomiko said Global Battery Materials would carry out a structured review of the project and determine the next steps. The company's news release, cited by Radio-Canada, described the acquisition as the best opportunity to advance the project.

The environmental review. Radio-Canada reported in September that Québec's environmental hearings board, the Bureau d'audiences publiques sur l'environnement (BAPE), had not yet examined the project.

The referendum and the protected area proposal

The Alliance des municipalités de la Petite-Nation Nord brings together Duhamel, Lac-Simon, Chénéville, Saint-Émile-de-Suffolk and Lac-des-Plages. In August 2025, according to Radio-Canada, residents of these municipalities rejected the project by more than 90% of those who took part in the referendum, and by 98% in Duhamel and Lac-Simon.

On August 30, 2026, in Chénéville, the Alliance presented a plan to 400 people for a 115-square-kilometre sustainable-use protected area spread across Duhamel, Chénéville and Lac-des-Plages. According to Radio-Canada, a protected area of this type would prevent mining without ruling out forestry or recreational use.

The MRC de Papineau's position

On April 15, 2026, the MRC council unanimously adopted resolution 2026-04-109. It declares that mining activity, at both the exploration and operating stages, is incompatible with the MRC's territorial vocation, its sustainable development model, the protection of its natural resources and the quality of life of its communities. It asks the Québec government to recognize the decision-making role of MRCs in this area and not to authorize mining projects incompatible with its orientations.

On May 20, 2026, the mayors set aside up to $100,000 to prepare a brief. According to the reeve, Paul-André David, cited by Radio-Canada, the file is heading to the BAPE and the MRC must remain a credible participant there.

For its part, the Municipality of Lac-Simon explains on its mining project page that changes to Québec's Mining Act allow the MRC to regulate and, in some cases, limit mining projects through its land-use directives.

Political positions

In September 2024, Mathieu Lacombe, then the minister responsible for the Outaouais, announced that the project would have neither the government's support nor its financial backing. He noted that this did not technically prevent the company from continuing its work.

During the 2026 election campaign, Le Droit reported the statements of two party leaders:

Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, leader of the Parti québécois, said that without social acceptability there could be no project. He indicated that his party would study buying back the mining claims and the protected area option.
Charles Milliard, leader of the Parti libéral du Québec, said he did not intend to support the project at this stage and that there was no local or regional social acceptability.

Since the October 5 election, the Parti québécois has formed the government, and Isabelle Millette of the same party represents the riding of Papineau.

The Zed Graphite project in Montpellier

Zed Graphite presents its project on its website. The following information comes from the company.

The site is a few kilometres east of the village of Montpellier, on 305 acres of private land that covers much of Lac Lavergne. The company leases 263 of those acres.
The project is planned in two phases under a seven-year exclusive operating lease: first a quartzite and marble quarry, then graphite mining. A lease application has been filed with Québec's Ministère des Ressources naturelles et des Forêts.
The company states that environmental studies must be carried out before graphite mining begins.
It says it is not affiliated with Lomiko Metals.

Information session on November 10

The Municipality of Montpellier has shared Zed Graphite's invitation to an information session reserved for its residents.

Date and time: Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at 7 p.m.
Location: Centre communautaire de Montpellier, 17 rue Principale
Admission: Montpellier residents only; proof of residence will be required at the door

How to follow these files

The MRC de Papineau's website publishes its news releases and resolutions, and Lac-Simon's mining project page links to the Alliance's documents. For questions about regional land-use planning, you can reach the MRC at 819-427-6243 or info@mrc-papineau.com.

Sources

Le Droit, Le PQ prêt à évaluer d'autres options que le projet minier La Loutre (October 1, 2026) and Le projet minier La Loutre n'a pas l'appui de Québec (September 16, 2024)
MRC de Papineau, April 15, 2026 release, resolution 2026-04-109 and May 20, 2026 release
Municipality of Lac-Simon, Projet minier
Radio-Canada: project scale, Lomiko buyout, protected area, party positions
Lomiko Metals, October 6, 2026 release
Zed Graphite, Le projet and Municipality of Montpellier, notice
Accessed November 2, 2026.

Duhamel Lac-des-Plages Lac-Simon Chénéville Saint-Émile-de-Suffolk Montpellier

Sources

The facts in this story come from these public sources. Every place and event mentioned has its own page, with its sources and the date it was checked. Legal notice