By Hilton Bakedman

If Milton Friedman ever woke up in 2025, he’d trade his free-market musings for a hard hat and a nickel deposit map. Yes, nickel—the humble locker-room locker metal—is the northwest star of North America’s clean-energy future. Canada’s underground treasure trove and the USA’s refining ambitions make this metal critical in every sense. From electric vehicles (EVs) to national security, nickel now wears a crown alongside gold, silver, and copper.

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Nickel is not your grandma’s shiny trinket anymore. The U.S. and Canada officially classify it as a critical mineral, meaning it’s essential for economic and defense needs, but the supply chain? Kinda shaky.

Why so critical? Because nickel is a superstar in EV batteries, stainless steel, and green tech. America imports nearly half its nickel, making supply chain independence a political mantra. Canada, sitting on vast deposits, is the knight in shining armor fueling this energy revolution.

Canada isn’t just playing catch-up; it’s leading the charge. The star player? The Crawford Nickel Project in Timmins, Ontario—a behemoth set to produce 48,000 tonnes of nickel a year, with a 41-year mine life and sustainability goals that would please Captain Planet.

Set your calendar for 2027: that’s when Crawford starts pumping out nickel, cobalt, and even platinum and palladium. With $1.7 billion on the line and CO2-capturing tech baked into its operation, Crawford could become the third largest nickel sulfide mine globally.

The project’s social-sustainability side also shines, with $20 million invested from Ontario’s First Nations. Nice to see green and community-friendly can be partners in crime.

Canada’s nickel hits are not a one-hit wonder. Meet the lineup:

While Canada digs deep, the U.S. refines hard—with fat tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act pushing nickel refining projects to reduce import dependence. But don’t pop the champagne just yet; mine permits take 29 years on average. Whew.

Money from the Defense Department and infrastructure plans helps, but the tightrope walk between permitting bureaucracy and investor patience continues.

Nickel mining looks shiny from afar, but risks sparkle just as bright. Price volatility cranks investor nerves, with operational risks like delays and cost overruns keeping portfolio managers on their toes.

Valuation is less crystal ball, more roller coaster—dependent on nickel prices, output timing, and environmental permits. For adventurous investors, dramatic gains await; for cautious ones, buckle up and brace for volatility.

Economists see nickel as a green-economy cornerstone, marketers push “responsibly sourced” narratives, and policymakers play geopolitical chess over supply chains. Canada and the U.S. are the dynamic duo in controlling this mineral’s destiny.

Nickel is no longer the underdog. It’s the shiny linchpin of North America's green industrial future. For consumers, economists, marketers, and investors alike, understanding nickel’s role could turn wallets into winners.

Q: What makes nickel a critical mineral in the U.S. and Canada?
A: Nickel is crucial for EV batteries, defense, and green technology, but supply chains are vulnerable, putting it on critical mineral lists to safeguard economic and national security.

Q: Which Canadian nickel projects are most important in 2025?
A: The Crawford Nickel Project in Timmins is the biggest, targeting production beginning in 2027. Other key mines include Voisey’s Bay, Raglan, and Sudbury.

Q: How does the U.S. support nickel refining?
A: Through the Inflation Reduction Act and defense grants offering tax credits and incentives, though long permitting times delay new mining projects.

Q: What are the investment risks in nickel mining?
A: Nickel price volatility, operational challenges, regulatory hurdles, and financing issues pose significant risks despite high potential rewards.

Q: Why should marketers care about nickel?
A: As sustainability and ESG demand grows, marketers benefit by promoting responsibly sourced nickel to align with consumer and investor priorities.