Canada Nickel Finalizes FEED for $2.5 Billion Crawford Nickel Project

Canada Nickel Company has completed front-end engineering and design (FEED) for its $2.5 billion Crawford nickel project near Timmins, Ontario, enhancing key financial and operational metrics. The Crawford project is the world’s second-largest nickel reserve and resource, according to Wood Mackenzie.

Based on data from a winter geotechnical program, test piling, and updated cost estimates, FEED work has improved upon the November 2023 bankable feasibility study, reflecting gains in net present value, operating costs, and internal rate of return. Engineering at Crawford is now approximately 30% complete, allowing Canada Nickel to issue long-lead equipment orders.

The company has optimized its mine plan by prioritizing ore extraction from the East zone before the Main zone, reducing pre-strip tonnage by 30% during the payback period. New metallurgy data has increased the average ore value in the East zone by 7.4% to $31.18 per ton.

According to its latest investor presentation, Canada Nickel plans to make a construction decision for Crawford by the end of 2025, pending funding and permitting, with initial production targeted for late 2027.