The Decision Statement under Canada's amended Impact Assessment Act, 2019 positions Crawford for further permitting, financing and a planned construction decision in 2027.
Canada Nickel Company Inc. said it received a positive Decision Statement for the Crawford Nickel Project from the Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Nature, making it the first mining project approved under Canada's amended Impact Assessment Act, 2019. The company said the ruling sets a model for how major resource developments can move through Canada's current federal review system. The Toronto-based company said Crawford was referred to the Major Projects Office by the Government of Canada and chosen as one of the first projects under Ontario's One Project, One Process framework. It said the federal approval could help unlock wider development across the Timmins Nickel District in northeastern Ontario. Canada Nickel said an independent economic analysis by Mansfield Consulting estimated Crawford would contribute about $70 billion to Canada's GDP over the life of mine and support about 185,000 person-years of employment, based on information from the company's feasibility study published in November 2023. The company added that the project is expected to become the Western World's largest nickel sulphide operation and North America's only primary source of chromium, metals used across defence, aerospace, stainless steel, electric vehicle batteries and advanced manufacturing. The company said it will now advance detailed engineering, project financing and remaining provincial and federal permits ahead of planned construction, with CEO Mark Selby saying Canada Nickel is working toward a construction decision in 2027. The release also highlighted Indigenous partnerships, including a $20 million equity investment by Taykwa Tagamou Nation and an infrastructure contracting agreement with Wabun Tribal Council member First Nations.