Canada Nickel Company Inc. has released its 2023 environmental, social, and governance (ESG) report, highlighting its progress in its commitment to responsible mining and sustainability and detailing the company’s advancements in implementing permanent carbon storage technologies.
“The progress we made during 2023 speaks to the exceptional talent and dedication of our team and highlights the advanced steps we are taking as pioneers in the nickel industry,” said CEO Mark Selby. “As we look ahead, we remain focused on advancing our projects with sustainability and innovation at the forefront.”
In 2023, Canada Nickel prioritized Indigenous partnerships, minimized environmental impact, and improved community engagement and workplace safety. These accomplishments, Canada Nickel stated, align with its broader commitment to environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and reconciliation with Indigenous communities.
Vice President of Sustainability Pierre Philippe Dupont emphasized that community and reconciliation initiatives are integrated into the company’s operational principles. “As a responsible proponent, we recognize the importance of engaging in transparent dialogue, fostering economic opportunities, and ensuring our projects deliver long-term holistic benefits into the region in which we are fortunate to operate,” Dupont said in a company press release.
2023 achievements
Canada Nickel’s 2023 accomplishments included signing two new exploration agreements with Indigenous nations and financial contributions totalling $446,440 to support capacity building and compensate for exploration-related impacts on Indigenous rights and interests. Additionally, the company reported zero fatalities, lost-time injuries, and high-consequence injuries throughout the year.
Canada Nickel also reported contributions to local economies, with half of its workforce hired locally and 27 percent of its budget spent on local procurement. The company allocated $1.5 million toward community programs and partnerships in its operating regions.
Regarding environmental impact, Canada Nickel said it increased its carbon sequestration capacity to 1.3 million tons of CO2 annually, advancing its aim to make Crawford Nickel Sulphide Project one of Canada’s largest permanent carbon storage sites. The company reduced its emissions intensity from exploration activities by 16 percent, from 37 to 31 kilograms of CO2 equivalent per meter drilled.
Canada Nickel noted that female representation on its board increased to 33 percent, that it refined board-level policies and established an ESG committee to oversee sustainability initiatives.
“At Canada Nickel, we believe that sustainability is a key part of building a thriving business that will endure for generations to come,” said Francisca Quinn, chair of Canada Nickel’s ESG board committee. “The programs and achievements highlighted in this report reflect our dedication to integrating sustainability into everything we do.”
Canada Nickel affirmed its commitment to build on its 2023 ESG accomplishments as it advances the Crawford Nickel Sulphide Project in Ontario’s Timmins Nickel District.