TORONTO, Ontario — January 13, 2026 — Leads & Copy — The Province of Ontario has designated the Crawford Nickel Project as the second project to advance under its One Project, One Process (1P1P) framework, Canada Nickel Company Inc. announced Tuesday. (TSXV: CNC) (OTCQB: CNIKF)
The 1P1P framework aims to improve coordination of Ontario’s permitting and review processes for major mining developments by aligning timelines, responsibilities, and information sharing across provincial ministries.
According to Canada Nickel, the designation reflects the advanced state, scale, and strategic importance of the Crawford Nickel Project within Ontario’s Critical Minerals Strategy.
Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines, stated that Ontario is moving quickly to open this 100% Canadian-owned mine, with the goal of creating 4,000 jobs for Canadian workers. He added that the government intends to unlock one of the world’s largest nickel deposits to boost the economy and reduce China’s critical mineral dominance.
Mark Selby, CEO of Canada Nickel Company, said that the announcement underscores the strategic significance of the Crawford Nickel Project for Ontario and the province’s ambition to establish a world-leading, Made-in-Ontario critical minerals supply chain. Selby also stated that Crawford is designed to anchor a new low-carbon mining and clean metals manufacturing corridor in Northeastern Ontario, driving long-term economic growth and creating jobs. He added that the announcement strengthens the company’s commitment to commencing construction by year-end.
Canada Nickel has consulted with the Province of Ontario and affirmed that the 1P1P framework will complement its commitments to Indigenous Nations, environmental stewardship, and regulatory rigor.
The company said the framework is intended to enhance government coordination and efficiency while maintaining standards for project development and community engagement.
Canada Nickel noted that Crawford is advancing at the forefront of Canada’s modernized regulatory framework. It became the first mining project in the country to submit an Impact Statement under the amended Impact Assessment Act, 2019, in November 2024. The company added that these milestones, along with the 1P1P framework designation and referral to the federal Major Projects Office in November 2025, establish a path to accelerate development responsibly.
The Crawford project is expected to be the largest nickel sulphide project in the western world and among the most economically significant mining developments in Canada, according to Canada Nickel. Independent analysis estimates the Project will generate more than $70 billion in GDP over its initial 40+ year mine life, including approximately $67 billion for Ontario alone, while supporting 1,000 direct and 3,000 indirect and induced jobs.
Through its patented In-Process Tailings (IPT) Carbonation technology, Crawford is also expected to permanently store up to 1.5 million tonnes of CO₂ annually, positioning it to become one of Canada’s largest carbon storage facilities, and the world’s first net-zero carbon nickel mines, according to Canada Nickel.
All technical information derived in this news release is from the Company’s Crawford Feasibility Study, published in November 2023.
Media Contact:
Melanie Paradis
President, Texture Communications
Phone: 416-399-7400
Email: melanie@yourtexture.com
For further information, please contact:
Mark Selby
CEO
Phone: 647-256-1954
Email: info@canadanickel.com
Source: Canada Nickel Company Inc.
