Ontario Fast-Tracks Western World’s Largest Nickel Project Under ‘One Project, One Process’
January 14, 2026
Canada Nickel Company’s Crawford Nickel Project will create more than 4,000 jobs and supercharge made-in-Ontario supply chain
Today, the Ontario government announced it is accelerating Canada Nickel Company’s Crawford Nickel Project (Crawford), the second to move forward under the new ‘One Project, One Process’ (1P1P) framework that was launched in October. As part of its plan to protect Ontario workers, and communities, the government is unlocking the full potential of the province’s metals and mining sector through the new framework, with this project marking another key step in building a fully integrated and self-reliant critical minerals supply chain. This designation will help unlock the world’s second largest nickel reserves in the resource-rich Timmins Nickel District, in addition to developing a nickel processing plant for stainless steel and electric vehicle markets; and planning to construct a stainless steel and alloy production facility. This project is expected to attract a total of $5 billion in investment.
“As President Trump takes aim at our economy, Ontario is moving at lightning speed to open this 100 per cent Canadian owned mine to create 4,000 jobs for Canadian workers,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines. “In 2026, our government is going full tilt to unlock one of the world’s largest nickel deposits that will supercharge our economy and help end China’s critical mineral dominance. ‘Made-in-Canada’ from start to finish, as we build a domestic supply chain that includes the Western world’s largest nickel mine, a new nickel processing plant and downstream alloy production facility.”
Located 42 kilometres north of Timmins, Crawford is one of the world’s largest nickel resources with a mineral reserve estimate of 1,715 million tonnes that will deliver high-quality nickel essential for Ontario’s electric vehicle batteries and green steel supply chains. The project will create up to 2,000 jobs during construction, and once complete, it will be one of the largest mine and mill facilities in North America with an expected mine life of 41 years that will support up to 1,300 direct jobs and 3,000 indirect jobs. It is also projected to add over $70 billion to Canada’s GDP and $67 billion to Ontario’s GDP alone, while providing a combined 185,000 person-years of employment. In addition to nickel, this project will be critical to securing a domestic supply of critical minerals, including cobalt and North America’s only domestic source of chromium.
If constructed as fully proposed, this project will include:
- A single large open pit mine with two access zones
- Two ore processing plants
- Mining and processing infrastructure
- Realignment of approximately 25 kilometres of Highway 655
- Relocation of an existing 500-kilovolt transmission line
- Two new electricity substations with an estimated demand and operating load of 230 kilovolts and 34.5 kilovolts
“Ontario’s ‘One Project, One Process’ framework reflects a clear commitment to getting important projects done the right way – that means clear accountability, strong coordination across government, and a high standard of environmental and Indigenous engagement,” said Mark Selby, CEO of Canada Nickel Company. “As the only mining project in Canada to date to secure this type of endorsement from both federal and provincial governments, the province recognizes the scale, strategic importance and advanced stage of the Crawford Nickel Project and the strong collaboration with the province. Crawford is a key part of Ontario’s emerging Critical Minerals Corridor in Northeastern Ontario, and we look forward to continuing to work closely with the Province to unlock the financing and permitting necessary to break ground and begin construction on the project by the end of this year – responsibly advancing a project that supports critical minerals development, job creation, and long-term economic growth across the region and the province.”
Learn more