Canada Nickel Company Inc. has selected Komatsu and its largest Canadian dealer, SMS Equipment Inc., to supply the load, haul and support mining fleet for the Crawford Nickel Project in Ontario, under an arrangement valued at approximately C$1.5 billion over a 40-year project life.

The arrangement involves more than 300 machines equipped with automation and electrification technology, including DISPATCH fleet management, FrontRunner autonomous haul trucks, and trolley-assisted truck haulage intended to reduce diesel consumption and carbon emissions ahead of a transition to battery-powered electric vehicles.

Negotiation of definitive agreements, fleet support contracts, and previously announced financing arrangements with Taykwa Tagamou Nation are underway, with final terms targeted by the first quarter of 2027.

“The selection of Komatsu and SMS Equipment to provide the load and haul mining and support fleet to Crawford marks a major step in the development of this project. I am very excited about the potential value that could be unlocked by applying Komatsu's proven technologies, including DISPATCH for fleet management, and FrontRunner for autonomous haul trucks. Komatsu and SMS Equipment also have considerable experience implementing trolley-assisted truck haulage, which significantly reduces diesel fuel consumption and CO2 emissions while facilitating an easy transition to battery-powered electric vehicles which are anticipated to be available when the Company expects to begin production. We expect that SMS Equipment's experience implementing these technologies at other Canadian operations and demonstrated commitment to our project can substantially de-risk the project start-up and ongoing operation. We look forward to continuing to advance Crawford towards a construction decision in 2027.”

Mark Selby, CEO

Regional exploration across the surrounding district continues to advance, highlighted by recent drilling that returned drill results including 1.01% nickel over 4.5 metres at the nearby Reid project. Canada Nickel is targeting a formal construction decision for Crawford in 2027.

Read the full announcement: Canada Nickel Announces Selection of SMS Equipment Inc. and Komatsu for $1.5 billion Load & Haul Fleet Purchase