Crawford nickel sulphide project, Canada – update

Name of the Project
Crawford nickel sulphide project.
Location
Timmins, in Ontario, Canada.
Project Owner/s
Nickel focused exploration company Canada Nickel Company.
Project Description
The Crawford project will be a large-scale producer of critical minerals, including nickel and cobalt.
The operation will produce 83-million pounds (38 000 t/y) of nickel a year over a 41-year life, with production of 48 000 t/y nickel, 800 t/y of cobalt, 13 000 oz/y of palladium and platinum, 1.6-million tonnes a year of iron and 76 000 t/y of chrome over its 27-year peak period.
The first phase of the project will have a throughput of 60 000 t/d.
The second phase, planned for commissioning during the fourth year, will double mill throughput to 120 000 t/d.
The project is designed to incorporate Canada Nickel’s in-process tailings carbonation technology, which has demonstrated the potential to store 1.5-million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year at peak production. Crawford is also expected to be North America’s only primary source of chromium.
Potential Job Creation
An independent economic-impact study estimates that Crawford could support about 185 000 person-years of employment and contribute about C$70-billion to Canada’s gross domestic product over the mine life.
Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The project has an estimated after-tax net present value (NPV) of $2.8-billion and an internal rate of return (IRR) of 17.6%. Including expected carbon capture, utilisation and storage tax credits, the after-tax NPV increases to $2.9-billion and the IRR to 18.9%.
Capital Expenditure
Front-end engineering design, completed in 2024, increased the initial capital cost by about 5%, to $2-billion.
Planned Start/End Date
Canada Nickel is targeting a construction decision in 2027. Detailed engineering, project financing and the remaining provincial and federal permits are being advanced ahead of planned construction.
Latest Developments
Canada Nickel received a positive Decision Statement from the federal Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Nature on July 31, 2026. Crawford is the first mining project to receive a Decision Statement under Canada’s amended Impact Assessment Act, 2019.
Ontario has formally named the project as the second development to be advanced under the province’s new One Project, One Process (1P1P) framework.
The 1P1P framework is intended to streamline and better coordinate permitting and review processes for major mining developments by aligning timelines, responsibilities and information sharing across provincial Ministries.
The designation, Canada Nickel has said, reflects the advanced stage, scale and strategic importance of Crawford in Ontario’s critical minerals strategy.
The company has emphasised that participation in the 1P1P framework will complement, not replace, its commitments to indigenous consultation, environmental stewardship and regulatory rigour. The framework is intended to improve coordination across government while maintaining existing standards for project development and community engagement.
Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Ausenco Engineering Canada (PEA and front-end engineering design).
Contact Details for Project Information
Canada Nickel Company, email info@canadanickel.com.
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