Canada Nickel has selected SMS Equipment and Komatsu to provide the load, haul and mining-support fleet equipment and associated autonomous technology for its flagship Crawford Nickel Project. The selection positions both companies as long-term partners in what is expected to become one of Canada’s largest nickel mining operations, with plans calling for the procurement of more than 300 machines over the project’s anticipated 40-year life. The current estimated value of the planned autonomous haulage fleet and broader mining equipment package is approximately C$1.5 billion.
Crawford is located approximately 40 km north of Timmins, Ontario, and represents the world’s second largest nickel resource and reserve. It is also the first mine to receive Impact Assessment Agency of Canada approval through the new Major Projects Office, a distinction that underscores the project’s significance within the country’s critical minerals strategy.
The growing global demand for critical minerals is driving new investment in Canadian mining, and the Crawford nickel project stands at the centre of that momentum. The selection of SMS Equipment and Komatsu reflects Canada Nickel’s strategic approach to building an autonomous haulage fleet and mining-support infrastructure designed to maximize safety, productivity and sustainability across the life of the operation.
Fleet Selection Covers Conventional and Autonomous Mining Operations
SMS Equipment has been working alongside Canada Nickel to develop an equipment strategy that covers both conventional and autonomous mining operations. The plan is built around deploying Komatsu’s proven mine automation and electrification technologies at Crawford. Komatsu was selected in part for its track record in delivering autonomous haulage fleet systems and advanced mining equipment to large-scale operations globally.
Robin Heard, President and CEO of SMS Equipment, described Crawford as “one of the most exciting new mining projects in Canada.” He added that SMS Equipment, together with Komatsu, looks forward to partnering with Canada Nickel to advance safe, sustainable and low-carbon nickel production that contributes directly to the world’s need for critical resources.
Mark Selby, CEO of Canada Nickel, highlighted the potential value that could be unlocked by applying Komatsu’s technologies at Crawford. He noted that SMS Equipment’s experience implementing these technologies at other Canadian operations, combined with its demonstrated commitment to the project, can substantially de-risk both the start-up phase and ongoing operation of the mine.
Rod Bull, CEO of Komatsu North America, said Komatsu is committed to partnering with SMS Equipment and Canada Nickel to develop a world-class mining operation at Crawford, bringing advanced mining equipment and technologies to support safe, efficient and productive operations.
Path Toward Construction and Implementation
SMS Equipment is the largest independent Komatsu dealer, with more than 2,700 employees across Canada and Alaska. The company brings extensive experience supporting greenfield mine development and has the scale and capabilities required to maintain operations throughout their full lifecycles. Its recent expansion in Timmins further strengthens its ability to support major mining projects in the region with mine automation expertise and service infrastructure.
Heard noted that as Canada Nickel looks toward construction of the Crawford Project, the focus will be on successful implementation, which includes bringing the autonomous haulage fleet and associated 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 nickel project. Definitive agreements with SMS Equipment and Komatsu are expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2027.