Canada Nickel Announces the Government of Ontario Recognition of Crawford as a Critical Minerals Priority and Nation-Building Project

Rhea-AI Summary

Canada Nickel Company's Crawford Nickel Sulphide Project has been recognized by the Government of Ontario as one of five strategic critical minerals projects ready for near-term development. The project, located near Timmins, will provide domestic supply of critical minerals including nickel, cobalt, and North America's only chromium source. Ontario's government support includes a $500 million Critical Minerals Processing Fund and $3.1 billion in various funding to support Indigenous partnerships. The Crawford Project features direct access to power, road, and rail infrastructure, and has established partnerships with local Indigenous Nations. The project will utilize Canada Nickel's innovative IPT Carbonation process for carbon capture, positioning it to become one of Canada's largest carbon storage facilities while contributing to economic development in Northern Ontario.

Positive

• Recognition as a strategic critical minerals project by Ontario government demonstrates strong government support
• Access to substantial government funding including $500M Critical Minerals Processing Fund and $3.1B in various funding options
• Project will be North America's only domestic source of chromium alongside nickel and cobalt production
• Strategic location with direct access to power, road, and rail infrastructure
• Innovative carbon capture technology through IPT Carbonation process positions the project as a future major carbon storage facility

Negative

• Project is still in development phase with no immediate revenue generation
• Success depends on continued government support and funding accessibility

TORONTO, June 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Canada Nickel Company Inc. ("Canada Nickel" or the "Company") (TSXV: CNC) (OTCQX: CNIKF) welcomed the Government of Ontario's recognition of the Crawford Nickel Sulphide Project ("Crawford") as part of its priority nation building initiatives.   

In a joint letter to Canada's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Ontario's Ministers of Energy and Mines, Natural Resources, and Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation identified the Crawford Project as one of five strategic critical minerals projects ready for near-term development as part of three transformational, nation-building projects. In this open letter provided to media and the Company on June 5, 2025, the Ministers also highlighted additional provincial funding for the sector to fully realize the value of these resources, such as the $500 million Critical Minerals Processing Fund, as well as nearly $3.1 billion in loans, grants, scholarships and other funding to support meaningful Indigenous ownership and partnership in critical mineral development.

"We are encouraged and deeply appreciative of the Government of Ontario advancing the critical minerals agenda and recognizing the strategic importance of the Crawford Project," said Mark Selby, CEO of Canada Nickel. "With aligned federal and provincial support, our experienced management team  can continue to advance development of Crawford as an important secure, domestic supply of critical minerals – nickel, cobalt, and North America's only domestic source of chromium—while advancing strong Indigenous partnerships and delivering on Canada's clean energy and climate ambitions."

Located just north of Timmins, the Crawford Project benefits from direct access to power, road, and rail infrastructure, and is supported by long-standing partnerships with Indigenous Nations in the region. In addition to advancing one of the world's largest nickel reserves, Canada Nickel has developed innovative carbon capture technology through its proprietary IPT Carbonation process. Once operational, the Crawford Project is expected to also become one of Canada's largest, carbon storage facilities—contributing meaningfully to both environmental and economic goals and helping to drive long-term prosperity in Northern Ontario and across the country.

About Canada Nickel Company
Canada Nickel Company Inc. is advancing the next generation of nickel-sulphide projects to deliver nickel required to feed the high-growth electric vehicle and stainless-steel markets. Canada Nickel is currently anchored by its 100% owned flagship Crawford Nickel Sulphide Project in the emerging Timmins Nickel District.  Canada Nickel Company has applied in multiple jurisdictions to trademark the terms NetZero Nickel^TM, NetZero Cobalt^TM, NetZero Iron^TM and is pursuing the development of processes to allow the production of net zero carbon nickel, cobalt, and iron products. Canada Nickel provides investors with leverage to nickel in low political risk jurisdictions.

For further information, please contact:

Mark Selby, CEO
Phone: 647-256-1954
Email: info@canadanickel.com 

Media, please contact:

Melanie Paradis
President, Texture Communications
Phone: 416-399-7400
Email: melanie@yourtexture.com

Sydney Oakes
Director of Indigenous Relations and Public Affairs
Phone: 905-929-7151
Email: sydneyoakes@canadanickel.com

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain information that may constitute "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward looking information includes, but is not limited to, drill and exploration results relating to the target properties described herein (the "Properties"), the significance of drill results, the ability to continue drilling, the impact of drilling on the definition of any resource, the potential of the Crawford Nickel Sulphide Project and the Properties, timing and completion (if at all) of mineral resource estimates, the ability to sell marketable materials, strategic plans, including future exploration and development plans and results, corporate and technical objectives, and the completion of assays, follow-up geophysics and further drilling. Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon several assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Factors that could affect the outcome include, among others: future prices and the supply of metals, the future demand for metals, the results of drilling, inability to raise the money necessary to incur the expenditures required to retain and advance the property, environmental liabilities (known and unknown), general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, results of exploration programs, risks of the mining industry, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, failure to obtain regulatory or shareholder approvals. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. All forward-looking information contained in this press release is given as of the date hereof and is based upon the opinions and estimates of management and information available to management as at the date hereof. Canada Nickel disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

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SOURCE Canada Nickel Company Inc.

FAQ

What critical minerals will Canada Nickel's Crawford Project produce?

The Crawford Project will produce nickel, cobalt, and will be North America's only domestic source of chromium.

How much funding has Ontario committed to support critical minerals projects?

Ontario has committed $500 million through the Critical Minerals Processing Fund and nearly $3.1 billion in loans, grants, scholarships and other funding for Indigenous partnerships.

Where is the CNIKF Crawford Project located and what infrastructure does it have?

The Crawford Project is located just north of Timmins, Ontario, with direct access to power, road, and rail infrastructure.

What environmental benefits will the Crawford Project provide?

The project will become one of Canada's largest carbon storage facilities through its proprietary IPT Carbonation process for carbon capture.

How is Canada Nickel (CNIKF) involving Indigenous communities in the Crawford Project?

The project is supported by long-standing partnerships with Indigenous Nations in the region and can access government funding specifically for Indigenous ownership and partnership in critical mineral development.