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) of nickel a year over a 41-year life, with production of 48 000 t/y nickel, 8 000 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/y.

The second phase, planned for commissioning during the fourth year, will double mill throughput to 120 000 t/d.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The project has an estimated after-tax net present value, at an 8% discount rate, of $2.5-billion and an internal rate of return of 17.1%.

Capital Expenditure
Phase 1 will cost about $1.9-billion and Phase 2 about $1.6-billion.

Planned Start/End Date
A production decision is expected by mid-2025, with a goal of first production by the end of 2027.

Latest Developments
Canada Nickel Company has signed two definitive agreements, enabling it to gain access to 13 000 ha of surface rights prospective for nickel.

The agreements, signed with Noble Mineral Exploration and a primary surface rights holder, in Crawford, marks a critical step in the company’s permitting process and construction decision on the Crawford mine this year. 

As part of the surface rights agreement, Canada Nickel will transfer 19 323 ha of mining rights in the Kingsmill and Mabee townships – where no known exploration targets exist – to the surface rights holder.

This transfer aims to create future certainty over a substantial area of land, facilitating the effective development of sustainable forestry and wildlife habitat preservation.

Additionally, Canada Nickel will issue 5.5-million shares to the surface rights holder.

The other agreements cement Canada Nickel’s partnership with Noble to incorporate certain mining properties, including the existing Mann joint venture, into a new private company. This will consolidate the respective companies’ interests in a portfolio of nickel projects north-east of Timmins, in Ontario.

As part of the transaction, Canada Nickel will consolidate ownership of the mining rights and access to the surface rights for certain key patents in Aubin, Crawford, Carnegie, Dargavel, Kidd, Lennox, Lucas, Nesbitt, Prosser and Wark townships, currently held by Noble, which facilitates and simplifies the future development of Crawford and other nearby regional properties held by Canada Nickel.

The transaction and formal formation of the new company is expected to close by the end of January and is still subject to approval by the TSX.

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.