SMS Equipment Inc. and Komatsu have been selected by Canada Nickel Company Inc. to supply the load, haul and mining support fleet equipment and associated autonomous technology for the Crawford Nickel Project in northern Ontario. The announcement comes as growing demand for critical minerals drives investment in new mines and the equipment expertise needed to bring them into production. The Crawford deposit, located approximately 40 kilometres north of Timmins, is the world’s second largest nickel resource and reserve and the first mine to receive Impact Assessment Agency of Canada approval through the new Major Projects Office. Equipment strategy targets conventional and autonomous operations SMS Equipment said it has been working with Canada Nickel to develop an equipment strategy designed to maximize productivity and performance of the mine through both conventional and autonomous operations. The selection follows comprehensive proposals from four equipment vendors and careful consideration across a wide range of criteria. Canada Nickel said it chose Komatsu for its proven technologies in automation and electrification, which are aligned with its vision of safe, sustainable and low-carbon production of critical minerals. More than 300 machines with a current value of approximately $1.5 billion are expected to be purchased over the 40-year project life. The company said it expects to complete negotiations of definitive agreements with SMS Equipment and Komatsu by the first quarter of 2027. “Crawford is one of the most exciting new mining projects in Canada,” said Robin Heard, president and CEO of SMS Equipment, in a news release. “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.” Mark Selby, CEO of Canada Nickel, said the experience of the two companies is expected to reduce risk for the project. “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,” said Selby. “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,” said Selby. Komatsu commits Rod Bull, CEO of Komatsu North America, said his company is committed to the partnership. “Komatsu is committed to partnering with SMS Equipment and Canada Nickel to develop a world-class mining operation at Crawford,” said Bull. “We look forward to bringing Komatsu’s advanced mining equipment and technologies to the project to support safe, efficient and productive operations.” SMS Equipment is the world’s largest independent Komatsu dealer, providing end-to-end equipment solutions for mining, construction and forestry. Based in Acheson, Alta., the company employs more than 2,700 people across more than 40 locations in Canada and Alaska, and its recent expansion in Timmins builds on its ability to support major mining projects in the region. Focus shifts to implementation Heard said the focus now shifts to implementation as the project moves toward construction. “As we look toward construction of the Crawford Project, our focus is on successful implementation — bringing the fleet and technologies into operation, training Canada Nickel’s teams and optimizing performance so the full value of the investment can be realized over the life of the project,” he said.
