The Outaouais region in Quebec hosts La Petite-Nation, a largely untouched wooded area near Montreal and Ottawa. British Columbia’s Lomiko Metals plans a large open-air graphite mine here. The mine will produce 100,000 tonnes of graphite annually for 15 years. Residents have opposed the mine since its announcement eight years ago, fearing environmental harm and damage to eco-tourism. Open-air graphite mines produce dust that can pollute air and water. Opposition grew stronger when the US Pentagon invested $8.3 million in 2024 through the Defense Production Act, aimed at securing national defense resources. This came alongside other US investments in cobalt and bismuth projects in Canada. Louis St-Hilaire, leader of the local lake protection group opposing the mine, said, “At first, the project was sold to us as a green one, for energy transition.” He added, “Suddenly, the main big investor is the American army, who need a lot of graphite. People want that even less.” David Pharand, mayor of nearby Duhamel, said, “It’s like David taking on Goliath. The army’s involvement really got residents to care even more about stopping the mine.” In August 2025, a community referendum showed 95% of locals opposed the project. The US seeks to reduce reliance on China for key minerals like graphite, used in batteries and military gear. Ben Steinberg of the Battery Materials & Technology Coalition said, “China has the ability to suppress and manipulate the graphite market. We have all the interest of the world to work with Canada to exploit this resource.” However, relations between Canada and the US have become tense, with some Canadians wary of US military interests. Jean-François Desmarais, an opponent group leader, questioned, “They’re coming in to get minerals to put in their weapons, to annex us?” Despite local disapproval, the mine continues. The provincial government refuses funding due to lack of social support, but federal funds remain. Lomiko Metals has started sample processing. Meanwhile, local communities push for sustainable projects to protect their wildlife reserve and parks, which draw growing visitor numbers. Mayor Pharand said, “I think people don’t understand why we would hurt this growth for a mine that will run out in 15 years.” Lomiko Metals has not responded to comment requests.