Canada Nickel Announces US$32 Million Bridge Loan Facility with Auramet International, Inc.

Rhea-AI Summary

Canada Nickel (OTCQX: CNIKF) entered a US$32 million bridge loan facility with Auramet International expected to close by February 9, 2026. Proceeds will fund the Crawford Nickel Sulphide Project and repay an existing loan with Ber Tov Capital. The loan matures May 9, 2026, bears 1.00% monthly interest and a 2.5% arrangement fee, and includes 1,750,000 one-year warrants exercisable at a 5% premium to the five-day VWAP prior to closing. Closing is subject to customary conditions and TSX Venture Exchange approval.

Positive

• US$32 million bridge loan secures near-term funding for operations
• Proceeds earmarked to advance Crawford project toward construction by year-end 2026
• Existing Ber Tov loan will be repaid, simplifying debt profile

Negative

• Short-term maturity: loan due May 9, 2026 creating refinancing risk
• 1.00% monthly interest and 2.5% fee increase financing cost
• 1,750,000 warrants may cause future share dilution

TORONTO, Feb. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Canada Nickel Company Inc. ("Canada Nickel" or the "Company") (TSXV: CNC) (OTCQX: CNIKF) today announced that the Company has entered into a US$32 million bridge loan facility with Auramet International, Inc. ("Auramet") which is expected to close on or before February 9, 2026. Proceeds from the facility provide additional funding to advance the Company's flagship Crawford Nickel Sulphide Project and to repay the existing loan with Ber Tov Capital Corporation ("BT Capital"), signed on May 9, 2025.

Mark Selby, CEO, said, "We are pleased to have the continued support of Auramet, our longstanding financing partner, through this US$32 million bridge facility. This funding ensures we remain well-capitalized to advance the Crawford Nickel Sulphide Project towards construction by year-end 2026 as we complete funding discussions with government and project partners."

Loan Facility

The bridge loan facility will be due May 9, 2026, will carry an interest rate of 1.00% per month, and be subject to a 2.5% arrangement fee. At closing, Auramet will also receive 1,750,000 1-year warrants having an exercise price equal to a 5% premium to the 5-day volume weighted average price of the common shares of the Company on the TSX Venture Exchange for the five consecutive trading days ending on the trading day immediately prior to the closing date. The loan will be subject to such terms and conditions including certain specified positive and negative covenants that are customary for a transaction of this nature. The warrants and the underlying shares will be subject to a four-month hold period under applicable Canadian securities laws. The proceeds will be used for working capital purposes and to repay the existing loan with BT Capital. The closing of the loan facility is subject to customary conditions including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

About Auramet

Auramet is a private company established in 2004 by seasoned professionals who have assembled a global team of industry specialists with over 350 years combined industry experience. It is one of the largest physical precious metals merchants in the world and has provided over $1.3 billion in term financing facilities to date. Auramet offers a full range of services including physical metals trading, metals merchant banking (including direct lending), and project finance advisory services to all participants in the precious metals supply chain. 

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 Company has applied in multiple jurisdictions to trademark the terms NetZero NickelTM, NetZero CobaltTM, NetZero IronTM 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. Canada Nickel is currently anchored by its 100% owned flagship Crawford Nickel-Cobalt Sulphide Project in the heart of the prolific Timmins-Cochrane mining camp. For more information, please visit www.canadanickel.com. 

For further information, please contact:

Mark Selby
CEO
Phone: 647-256-1954
Email: info@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 the ability of the Company to deliver nickel required to feed the high growth electric vehicle and stainless steel markets, and the development of processes to allow the production of net zero carbon nickel, cobalt, and iron products. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual 2 results, performance or achievements of Canada Nickel to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. There are no assurances that Crawford will be placed into production. Factors that could affect the outcome include, among others: inability to repay the loan or comply with the covenants set out in the loan agreement; the actual results of development activities; project delays; inability to raise the funds necessary to complete development; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; future prices of metals or project costs could differ substantially and make any commercialization uneconomic; availability of alternative nickel sources or substitutes; actual nickel recovery; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in applicable laws; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; accidents, labour disputes, the availability and productivity of skilled labour and other risks of the mining industry; political instability, terrorism, insurrection or war; delays in obtaining governmental approvals, necessary permitting or in the completion of development or construction activities; mineral resource estimates relating to Crawford could prove to be inaccurate for any reason whatsoever; additional but currently unforeseen work may be required to advance to the feasibility stage; and even if Crawford goes into production, there is no assurance that operations will be profitable. Although Canada Nickel has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and Canada Nickel disclaims any obligation to update any forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. 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 are the key terms of Canada Nickel's US$32 million bridge loan (CNIKF)?

The bridge loan is US$32 million due May 9, 2026 with 1.00% monthly interest. According to the company, it carries a 2.5% arrangement fee and includes 1,750,000 one-year warrants exercisable at a 5% premium to the five-day VWAP prior to closing.

How will the CNIKF loan proceeds be used and what projects are funded?

Proceeds will fund working capital and the Crawford Nickel Sulphide Project toward construction. According to the company, funds will also repay the existing Ber Tov loan and support project advancement while further funding discussions continue.

When must Canada Nickel repay the Auramet bridge loan and what are refinancing risks for CNIKF?

The loan matures on May 9, 2026, creating a short-term repayment timeline. According to the company, there is a reliance on additional funding or partner/government support to refinance or complete longer-term financing before maturity.

What shareholder dilution could result from the Auramet warrants for CNIKF?

Auramet receives 1,750,000 one-year warrants exercisable at a 5% premium to five-day VWAP. According to the company, exercised warrants would increase share count and could dilute existing shareholders depending on future share issuance and exercise timing.

Is TSX Venture Exchange approval required for Canada Nickel's bridge loan (CNIKF)?

Yes, closing is subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval and customary closing conditions. According to the company, the transaction is expected to close on or before February 9, 2026 pending those approvals.