Climate Insider Brief:
- Ontario’s Critical Minerals Innovation Fund granted Canada Nickel C$500,000 to advance NetZero Metals, a zero-carbon nickel, cobalt, and iron facility using biochar.
- NetZero Metals, set to launch in 2027, will produce 80,000+ tons of nickel annually, supplying southern Ontario battery factories and supporting the Crawford project.
- The facility reinforces Ontario’s leadership in critical minerals innovation and sustainable resource development, aligning with the growing global demand for low-carbon battery metals.
The Government of Ontario’s Critical Minerals Innovation Fund has awarded Canada Nickel Company (TSXV:CNC) C$500,000 to advance its zero-carbon nickel production facility through its subsidiary, NetZero Metals. The funding will accelerate the development of innovative processes to produce nickel, cobalt, and iron with minimal carbon emissions, positioning Ontario as a leader in sustainable critical mineral production.
North America’s Largest Nickel Facility
NetZero Metals is developing a nickel processing plant expected to reach an annual capacity of over 80,000 tons of nickel, making it the largest facility of its kind in North America. The plant’s operations will replace traditional coal-based materials, such as coke and anthracite, with biochar to reduce its carbon footprint.
The funding will be used to validate process designs through laboratory and pilot-scale metallurgical testing with biochar and applicable feed samples. Production at the facility is projected to commence in 2027, with plans for expansion as Canada Nickel’s flagship Crawford project near Timmins, Ontario, advances toward the extraction phase.
Supporting the Battery Metals Supply Chain
The NetZero Metals facility is designed to supply nickel and nickel-cobalt products to battery factories in southern Ontario. This aligns with the province’s strategy to strengthen its critical minerals supply chain, driven by the increasing demand for low-carbon battery materials in electric vehicles and other clean technologies.
Leadership Perspectives
“This commitment highlights the province’s leadership in fostering innovation and advancing clean technology solutions,” said Mark Selby, CEO of Canada Nickel Company. “By supporting our efforts to develop a low-cost, low-carbon nickel processing facility, Ontario is strengthening the foundation for a sustainable battery metal supply chain that will drive economic growth and contribute to the global energy transition.”
Mike Cox, CEO of NetZero Metals, emphasized the groundbreaking nature of the facility: “The NetZero Metals facility represents a first-of-its-kind approach in the Western world to use biochar-based reductants in pyrometallurgical nickel processing. This innovation not only addresses the growing demand for low-carbon battery metals but also reinforces Ontario’s position as a leader in clean and sustainable resource development.”
Ontario’s Minister of Mines, George Pirie, added: “As our economy grows with an increased need for critical minerals, our government is strengthening a made-in-Ontario supply chain, ready to fuel the technologies of tomorrow.”
About Canada Nickel Company
Canada Nickel Company is advancing nickel-sulphide projects in Ontario to serve the electric vehicle and stainless steel markets. The company is also pioneering processes to produce net-zero-carbon nickel, cobalt, and iron products.
Stock Update
Canada Nickel Company stock (TSXV:CNC) traded at C$0.84 per share as of 11:22 am ET, marking a year-over-year decline of 59.42%.
Climate Insider Notes
- Strategic Investment: Ontario’s C$500,000 investment underlines its commitment to clean technology and critical minerals innovation.
- Biochar Breakthrough: The use of biochar in nickel processing could set a global benchmark for low-carbon production.
- Economic and Environmental Impact: The facility supports local battery supply chains and contributes to global decarbonization efforts.
- Timeline and Expansion: With production targeted for 2027, Canada Nickel’s developments could reshape North America’s critical mineral landscape.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be treated as investment advice.
Source: Stockhouse
Featured Image: Credit: Canada Nickel Company
