NetZero Metals Awards Key Engineering Contracts & Advances Feasibility Studies for Nickel Processing & Stainless Steel Facilities

• NetZero Metals, a subsidiary of Canada Nickel Company, awards key engineering contracts to SMS group, Metso, and Ausenco for nickel processing and stainless steel facilities in Timmins, Ontario.
• Feasibility studies for both facilities are on track for completion by year-end, with the nickel plant targeting early startup in 2027 and the steel plant by year-end 2027.
• The nickel processing plant is expected to become the largest in North America, with an annual capacity of over 80,000 tonnes, while the stainless steel facility aims to produce more than 1 million tonnes of alloy products.
• Both facilities will utilize Canada Nickel's carbon storage capacity at its Crawford Nickel Project to achieve net zero carbon production.
• Canada Nickel is advancing the next generation of nickel-sulphide projects to meet the growing demand for critical minerals and environmentally responsible production in North America.

About Canada Nickel Company

Canada Nickel Company Inc. is a mining company focused on delivering the nickel required to support the rapidly growing electric vehicle and stainless steel markets. The company is committed to developing processes that enable the production of net zero carbon nickel, cobalt, and iron products, and has applied to trademark the terms NetZero Nickel™, NetZero Cobalt™, and NetZero Iron™ in multiple jurisdictions. Canada Nickel's flagship project is the 100% owned Crawford Nickel-Cobalt Sulphide Project, located in the Timmins-Cochrane mining camp in Ontario, Canada.

NetZero Metals Awards Key Engineering Contracts

In a significant step towards establishing critical mineral processing capacity in North America, NetZero Metals, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Canada Nickel Company, has awarded key engineering contracts for its nickel processing facility and stainless steel and alloy production facility in the Timmins Nickel District.

SMS group, a global leader in steel making equipment and plant design, has been selected to lead the initial scope for the NetZero Metals stainless steel and alloy plant. This facility will process the iron-chrome-nickel concentrate from the Crawford Nickel Project and other feeds to produce a blend of stainless steel and alloys. The plant is expected to start operations by year-end 2027, aligning with the anticipated first production from Crawford.

Metso, an industry leader in the supply of pyrometallurgical process equipment, has been awarded key portions of the initial nickel plant scope. The nickel plant will process the Crawford nickel concentrate and third-party feeds to produce nickel and nickel-cobalt products suitable for the steel and battery markets. NetZero Metals is targeting an early startup of the nickel plant in the first part of 2027 by leveraging an existing brownfield site.

Ausenco Engineering Canada, a long-term partner of Canada Nickel, will perform the overall facility engineering and packaging of staged engineering studies for both processing facilities.

Advancing Sustainable Nickel & Stainless Steel Production

The NetZero Metals processing facilities are set to position the Timmins Nickel District and Canada at the forefront of the global transition to greener energy and materials. By utilizing Canada Nickel's carbon storage capacity at its Crawford Nickel Project, the facilities aim to deliver net zero carbon nickel and stainless steel production through the capture of CO2 emissions from downstream operations.

Mark Selby, CEO of Canada Nickel, emphasized the company's commitment to leading the way in developing new capacity for the local supply of critical minerals and environmentally responsible production in North America. The collaboration with global engineering leaders like SMS, Metso, and Ausenco is crucial in advancing these sustainable processing plants.

Nickel Processing Facility: Largest in North America

Over three phases, the nickel processing plant is expected to become the largest nickel processing facility in North America, with an annual capacity of more than 80,000 tonnes of nickel. Subject to permitting approvals, the plant plans to begin production by the start of 2027, initially utilizing third-party feeds before further expanding with the startup and expansion of Canada Nickel's Crawford project.

The facility will employ proven, low environmental footprint technology to produce high-quality nickel products that cater to both the stainless-steel/superalloy and electric vehicle markets.

Stainless Steel & Alloy Processing Facility: Significant Production Capacity

Alongside the nickel processing plant, NetZero Metals plans to establish a stainless steel and alloy production facility. This facility will process the iron-chrome-nickel concentrate from the Crawford Nickel Project and other feeds to produce more than 1 million tonnes of alloy products annually, including over 500,000 tonnes of 304-grade stainless steel.

The stainless steel facility is expected to grow in tandem with the expansion of the Crawford Nickel Project and is set to become the largest stainless steel production facility in Canada. Production is planned to commence by year-end 2027, subject to permitting approvals, and discussions are underway with leading global ferroalloy and stainless producers to partner on this project.

Conclusion

Canada Nickel Company, through its subsidiary NetZero Metals, is at the forefront of developing sustainable nickel and stainless steel production in North America. The company's commitment to net zero carbon production, strategic partnerships with global engineering leaders, and the significant potential of its nickel and stainless steel processing facilities make it an attractive investment opportunity for those looking to capitalize on the growing demand for critical minerals and environmentally responsible production.

With feasibility studies on track for completion by year-end and targeted startup dates for both facilities in 2027, Canada Nickel is well-positioned to become a key player in the North American critical minerals supply chain. The company's Crawford Nickel Project, combined with the processing capabilities of NetZero Metals, offers investors a unique opportunity to gain exposure to the rapidly growing electric vehicle and stainless steel markets while supporting sustainable mining practices.

As Canada Nickel continues to advance its projects and pursue the development of net zero carbon nickel, cobalt, and iron products, investors can expect significant growth potential and the opportunity to be part of a transformative initiative in the mining industry. The company's focus on low political risk jurisdictions and its commitment to environmental stewardship further enhance its appeal to socially responsible investors.