Canada Nickel Secures Agreements with Hydro One to Commence Engineering for Crawford Nickel Project Power Connection

Rhea-AI Summary

Canada Nickel (OTCQB: CNIKF) signed two agreements with Hydro One to begin detailed engineering and design to connect the Crawford Nickel Project to Hydro One's Porcupine Station.

The scope covers facilitation, design, procurement and long-lead equipment including a 230kV circuit breaker; a final construction agreement will follow completion of the engineering work.

Positive

• Signed agreements with Hydro One to commence detailed engineering for Crawford power connection
• Procurement scope includes long-lead equipment such as a 230kV circuit breaker
• Partnership with Taykwa Tagamou Nation to build the transmission line supports Indigenous collaboration

Negative

• Final construction and grid connection remain contingent on completion of engineering and a subsequent agreement
• No cost, schedule or binding construction start date disclosed in the announcement

TORONTO, March 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Canada Nickel Company Inc. ("Canada Nickel" or "the Company") (TSXV: CNC) (OTCQB: CNIKF) is pleased to announce that it has signed two agreements as part of the Ontario Energy Board's approved connection process with Hydro One Network Inc. (Hydro One), enabling the commencement of engineering work to connect the Company's flagship Crawford Nickel Project ("Crawford"), located 42 kilometers north of Timmins Ontario, to Hydro One's Porcupine Station.  The transmission line connecting Crawford to Porcupine Station is planned to be built for the Company via the previously announced project with Taykwa Tagamou Nation.

Mark Selby, CEO of Canada Nickel Company said, "Today's announcement with Hydro One represents an important step in advancing the Crawford Nickel Project. By initiating the engineering work required to connect Crawford via a transmission line to be built by our partner, Taykwa Tagamou Nation, we are laying the groundwork for reliable power delivery and continued progress advancing Crawford.  This collaboration underscores our commitment to responsible development and partnership with indigenous communities as we advance one of the world's leading nickel projects."

Under the agreements, Hydro One will commence detailed engineering and design work for the line terminal and station entrance at the Porcupine Station. This scope includes facilitation, design and procurement required to connect Crawford, as well as associated engineering work and procurement of long-lead time equipment, including a 230kV circuit breaker. Upon conclusion of the engineering work, the Company will enter into a final agreement for Hydro One to commence construction activities at Porcupine to enable grid connection of the Crawford Project.

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 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. 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 Note and 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, the potential of the Reid Nickel Sulphide Project, commencement of construction of the Crawford Nickel Project (and the timing thereof), the significance of drill results, the ability to continue drilling, the impact of drilling on the definition of any resource, timing and completion (if at all) of additional mineral resource estimates, the potential of the Timmins Nickel District, strategic plans, including future exploration and development plans and results, and corporate and technical objectives.  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. 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 did Canada Nickel (CNIKF) agree with Hydro One on March 9, 2026?

They signed two agreements for Hydro One to start detailed engineering to connect Crawford to Porcupine Station. According to the company, the work covers design, facilitation and procurement of long-lead equipment to enable a future construction agreement.

Will the Hydro One agreement start construction for the Crawford Project power line now?

No, the agreements commence detailed engineering and procurement but not construction. According to the company, construction at Porcupine requires a final agreement after engineering concludes and is not yet authorized.

What equipment is specifically mentioned in the Hydro One engineering scope for CNIKF?

The scope includes procurement of long-lead time equipment including a 230kV circuit breaker. According to the company, Hydro One will handle design and procurement needed to connect Crawford to Porcupine Station.

How does the transmission line for CNIKF's Crawford Project get built and who is the partner?

The transmission line is planned to be built by a project with Taykwa Tagamou Nation. According to the company, this partnership will deliver the line that connects Crawford to Hydro One's Porcupine Station.

What are the next steps and investor implications after the Hydro One engineering agreement for CNIKF?

Next steps are completion of engineering, procurement of long-lead items, then a final construction agreement. According to the company, these steps lay groundwork for reliable power delivery and future grid connection.