Canada Nickel Company Inc. has selected SMS Equipment Inc. and Komatsu to supply the load, haul, and mining support fleet for the Crawford Nickel Project in northern Ontario. Valued at approximately C$1.5 billion over a 40-year project life, the arrangement covers more than 300 machines equipped with automation and electrification technology, including DISPATCH fleet management, FrontRunner autonomous haul trucks, and trolley-assisted truck haulage.

The agreement secures the equipment strategy for Crawford, which is the world's second-largest nickel resource and reserve, located approximately 40 kilometres north of Timmins. Crawford is the first mine to receive approval through the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada under the amended 2019 federal Impact Assessment Act, following its referral to the federal Major Projects Office and its inclusion in Ontario’s One Project, One Process framework.

“Crawford is one of the most exciting new mining projects in Canada,” says Robin Heard, President and CEO of SMS Equipment. “Together with Komatsu, SMS Equipment looks forward to partnering with Canada Nickel to advance its vision for safe, sustainable and low-carbon nickel production and directly contribute to meeting the world's need for critical resources.”

“I am very excited about the potential value that could be unlocked by applying Komatsu's proven technologies at Crawford,” says Mark Selby, CEO of Canada Nickel. “We expect that SMS Equipment's experience implementing these technologies at other Canadian operations, as well as its demonstrated commitment to our project, can substantially de-risk the project start-up and ongoing operation.”

— Mark Selby, CEO of Canada Nickel, and Robin Heard, President and CEO of SMS Equipment

SMS Equipment has been working with Canada Nickel to develop an equipment strategy designed to maximize productivity through conventional and autonomous operations, building on its recent expansion in Timmins to support major regional projects. Negotiation of definitive agreements, fleet support contracts, and related financing arrangements with Taykwa Tagamou Nation are underway, with final terms targeted by the first quarter of 2027. Canada Nickel also targets commencing construction on the Crawford Project by year-end 2026.

Read the full announcement: SMS Equipment Inc. and Komatsu Selected to Partner with Crawford Nickel Project