Canada Nickel Company Inc. (TSXV: CNC, OTCQX: CNIKF) is taking a big leap forward in carbon sequestration by partnering with Australia’s NetCarb, a company known for its advanced carbon mineralization technology. This collaboration could reshape how the mining industry approaches permanent carbon storage, especially at Canada Nickel’s flagship Crawford project near Timmins, Ontario.
Canada Nickel has already made waves with its IPT Carbonation process, which integrates carbon dioxide storage directly into mining operations by mineralizing CO2 within mine tailings. This approach eliminates the need for external carbon capture infrastructure and supports the company’s goal of producing net zero carbon nickel, cobalt, and iron products. The IPT process currently enables Crawford to store up to 1.5 million tonnes of CO2 annually.
The NetCarb partnership, however, could push those numbers much higher. NetCarb’s technology doesn’t just focus on brucite, as IPT does, but targets a more complete carbonation of serpentine minerals found in ultramafic rocks. Their process activates serpentinite and uses a CO2 “activity swing reactor” to dissolve and re-precipitate magnesium as solid carbonate minerals, locking away carbon dioxide permanently.
According to Canada Nickel, this could boost the Crawford site’s carbon storage capacity to 10-15 million tonnes per year, or more than 500 million tonnes over the mine’s projected 40-plus-year lifespan. That’s about ten times the capacity of the current IPT process and positions the project as one of the world’s largest potential carbon sinks. With over 20 additional regional properties containing similar rock types, the Timmins area could become a multi-gigatonne hub for mineral carbon sequestration.
The implications go beyond just mining. Both companies see this technology as the cornerstone for a “Zero Carbon Industrial Cluster” in Northeast Ontario. By attracting a range of industrial partners, natural gas power producers, hydrogen companies, biomass industries, and more, the cluster could convert various waste streams into valuable by-products, creating a circular economy centered on carbon management.
Mark Selby, CEO of Canada Nickel, described the partnership as a “magnitude scale leap forward” for mineral-based carbon sequestration. Dr. Luke Keeney, NetCarb’s CEO, echoed the enthusiasm, noting that combining NetCarb’s technology with Canada Nickel’s resources could “unlock the full potential of permanent carbon storage” and accelerate the path to net zero emissions.
Both companies are working to secure government funding to scale up the technology and are actively seeking additional industrial collaborators to expand the cluster beyond their current NetZero Metals projects.
To support its ambitious plans, Canada Nickel signed a service agreement with Native Ads, Inc., a full-service advertising agency based in New York and Vancouver. The agreement outlines a digital media campaign with a budget of up to $175,000 USD, running for up to twelve months. About 75% of this budget will go toward cost-per-click advertising, media buying, content distribution, and search engine marketing. The rest will be allocated to content creation, web development, creative development, SEO, and campaign optimization. The agreement is pending approval by the TSX Venture Exchange.
NetCarb Pty Ltd is focused on accelerating the shift to a low-carbon economy by scaling up carbon mineralization technology. Their process speeds up the natural reaction between CO2 and rock by roughly 100 million times, making large-scale, permanent carbon storage both practical and economically viable. This positions NetCarb as a key player in the growing carbon capture market.
Canada Nickel, meanwhile, is developing nickel-sulphide projects to supply the fast-growing electric vehicle and stainless steel sectors. The company is also pursuing trademarks for NetZero NickelTM, NetZero CobaltTM, and NetZero IronTM, reflecting its commitment to sustainable production.
The partnership between Canada Nickel and NetCarb could mark a turning point for carbon management in mining and heavy industry. If the technology delivers as promised, Timmins could soon be known not just for its mineral wealth, but as a global leader in carbon sequestration and industrial decarbonization.
