Canada Nickel's Crawford Nickel Project Advances to Final Federal Impact Assessment Decision Stage

The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) has submitted the Final Impact Assessment report to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change for Canada Nickel Company Inc.'s Crawford Nickel Project, advancing Crawford to the final stage of the federal Impact Assessment process, with the Minister's Decision Statement expected within 30 days. Crawford is the first mining project in Canada to reach this stage since the federal Impact Assessment Act was updated in 2019, a milestone that follows Crawford's designation as a Nation-Building Project by the federal government in 2025 and its recognition under Ontario's "One Project, One Process" framework in 2026. Crawford, located in Ontario's Critical Minerals Corridor, is expected to be the Western World's largest nickel sulphide project and to support the potential for a zero-carbon industrial cluster in the Timmins Nickel District.

Company Overview

Canada Nickel Company Inc. (TSXV: CNC | OTCQX: CNIKF) is advancing the next generation of nickel-sulphide projects to supply nickel for the electric vehicle and stainless steel markets. The Company is anchored by its 100%-owned flagship Crawford Nickel-Cobalt Sulphide Project, located in the Timmins-Cochrane nickel district of Ontario. Canada Nickel is pursuing the development of processes to enable the production of net-zero carbon nickel, cobalt & iron products, and has applied in multiple jurisdictions to trademark the terms NetZero Nickel, NetZero Cobalt & NetZero Iron.

Final Impact Assessment Report Submitted

Canada Nickel announced on July 21, 2026, that the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) has submitted the Final Impact Assessment report to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change for Crawford. This submission advances the Project to the final stage of the federal Impact Assessment process. The Minister's Decision Statement is expected within 30 days.

Chief Executive Officer of Canada Nickel, Mark Selby, commented on the significance of the milestone:

"This milestone reflects years of technical work, rigorous environmental planning, and meaningful engagement with Indigenous Nations. We appreciate the work of the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada and all those who have contributed to advancing Crawford through Canada's modernized Impact Assessment process. Canada Nickel looks forward to the Minister's Decision Statement and to progressing towards a construction decision in 2027."

A Regulatory First Under the Modernised Impact Assessment Act

Crawford is the first mining project in Canada to reach the final stage of review since the federal Impact Assessment Act was updated in 2019. The milestone builds on a series of recent regulatory and governmental recognitions for the Project, including its designation as a Nation-Building Project by the federal government in 2025 and its recognition under Ontario's "One Project, One Process" framework in 2026. Canada Nickel noted that these developments highlight the strategic importance of the Company's critical minerals to Canada's economic future.

Project Positioning

Crawford is located in Ontario's Critical Minerals Corridor and is expected to be the Western World's largest nickel sulphide project, according to Wood Mackenzie and Company filings cited in the release. The Project is also expected to support the potential for a zero-carbon industrial cluster in the Timmins Nickel District. Canada Nickel stated that it remains focused on responsible development, meaningful Indigenous partnerships, and delivering long-term economic benefits for both Ontario and Canada.

Next Steps

Canada Nickel is now awaiting the Minister of Environment and Climate Change's Decision Statement, which is expected within 30 days of the July 21, 2026 submission. The Company has indicated it is looking forward to progressing towards a construction decision on Crawford in 2027.

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