Nickel Mining in Canada: 10 Facts, Uses, History & More!

10 Canadian Nickel Mining Facts

#1 - Canada was the 6th largest producer of nickel in the world in 2023, behind Indonesia (1), Philippines (2), New Caledonia (3), Russia (4), and Australia (5) ^[1]

#2 - Canada produced ~159,000 tonnes of the 3.545 million tonnes of nickel produced globally in 2023, approximately 4.5% of global production, but also 11% higher year-over-year ^[1]

#3 - Canada was home to an estimated 2.2 million tonnes of nickel in 2023, representing 2% of global reserves, the eighth largest in the world, with Indonesia (42%), Australia (18%), and Brazil (12%) as the top three reserve holders ^[1]

#4 - Canada’s nickel-producing provinces in 2023 included Ontario (39.4% - 62,500 tonnes), Newfoundland and Labrador (27.1% - 42,900 tonnes), Quebec (26.7% - 42,400 tonnes), and Manitoba (6.8% - 10,800 tonnes), each with their respective share of total Canadian production ^[1]

#5 - Nickel refining in Canada – a process which purifies raw nickel ore or concentrate into high-grade, usable metal and/or chemical products – occurs at three key refineries in Sudbury, Ontario, Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Long Harbour, Newfoundland and Labrador ^[1]

#6 - Canada’s total nickel trade, including nickel-based products, totalled $6.7 billion in 2023 – with exports at $5.8 billion and imports at $853 million ^[1]

#7 - Canada exported nearly 100,000 tonnes of unwrought (not worked into a finished condition) nickel valued at $3.2 billion in 2023, with nearly half (49%) going to the United States, 14% to the Netherlands, 7% to China, 6% to Japan, and the remainder to 18 other countries ^[1]

#8 - Of 194 nickel mines in operation globally as of 2023, a total of 19 were found in Canada ^[2]

#9 - Potential future nickel mining operations in Canada include the Baptiste Nickel Project (BC), and the Crawford Nickel Mine (ON), the latter of which was designated as a Major Project of national importance by the federal government in late 2025 ^[3][4]

#10 – Canada’s total nickel reserves are likely to expand as exploration and development continue, with several more million tonnes of nickel found by mining operators in Northern Ontario ^[5]

Where is Nickel Found in Canada?

Pendlandite - Iron–Nickel Sulfide

Mixed nickel and copper sulphide deposits are found near Sudbury, Ontario. Similar deposits are also found in Manitoba’s Birchtree and Bucko Lake Mines and Voisey’s Bay area of Labrador. Nickel exploration projects are also underway in parts of British Columbia, which could be a significant source of the critical mineral.

Canada’s largest nickel mining provinces include Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador and Manitoba. In 2023, these provinces accounted for all of Canada’s nickel mining capacity, with their respective percentages of domestic production as follows:

• Ontario – 39.4%
• Newfoundland & Labrador – 27.1%
• Quebec – 26.7%
• Manitoba – 6.8%

Canada’s Largest Nickel Mines

The location of Canada’s largest nickel mines should also provide some perspective on where this valuable metal is found across the country. Canada’s top five nickel mines by production (2023) include:

#1 – Raglan Mines, Quebec

The Raglan Mine is an underground operation found in Quebec. It produced an estimated 20,500 tonnes of nickel in 2023 and is projected to stay open until at least 2033 ^[2].

#2 – Sudbury Area Mine, Ontario

The Sudbury Mine is found in Ontario and produced approximately 18,580 tonnes of nickel in 2023. The mine is expected to stay open until at least 2038 ^[2].

#3 – Voisey’s Bay Mine, Newfoundland & Labrador

The Voisey’s Bay Mine is located in Newfoundland and Labrador and produced an estimated 13,500 tonnes of nickel in 2020. The mixed surface and underground operation is expected to continue operating until 2036 ^[2].

#4 – Coleman Mine, Ontario

The Coleman Mine is an underground nickel mine located about 45 kilometres northwest of Sudbury, Ontario. In 2023, it produced more than 10,360 tonnes of nickel and is expected to operate until 2043 ^[2].

#5 – Nunavik Nickel Project, Quebec

The Nunavik Nickel Project is a mixed surface and underground nickel mining operation in Quebec. In 2023, it produced an estimated 9,200 tonnes of nickel and is expected to stay open until 2028 ^[2].

What is Nickel Used For?

Nickel is a silvery metal primarily used to make stainless steel and alloys that withstand extreme temperatures and corrosive environments.

As of 2023, about 64% of global production was used to make stainless steel ^[1], however, demand for the compound is increasing as it is an essential component of electric vehicle batteries.

Uses of nickel include (but are not limited to):

• Cast iron and steel
• Stainless steel
• Medical equipment
• Cutlery
• Coins
• Laptops
• Mobile phones
• Power tools
• Bathroom fixtures
• Jewellery
• Power generation
• Alnico magnets
• Sheet metal
• Glass – produces a green colour
• Armour plating for military vehicles
• Weighing machines
• Turbine blades
• Watch hair springs
• Electroplating
• Measuring devices

History of Nickel in Canada

The history of nickel mining in Canada is almost as old as our nation itself. Below is a brief historical timeline of nickel in Canada over the past several decades:

1883 – Nickel is first discovered in Canada near Sudbury, Ontario.

1890s – Nickel mining began where it was first discovered in Ontario.

1900s – Sudbury became known as the nickel capital of the world with the establishment of major companies like International Nickel in 1902 and Falconbridge Nickel Mines in 1928.

1905 – Canada replaces Caledonia, a small island in the Pacific, as the world’s leading source of nickel.

1918 – Nickel refining begins in Canada with the construction of Inco’s refinery at Port Colborne, Ontario, using hydroelectric power from Niagara Falls.

1956 – Commercially-viable nickel deposits are discovered in Manitoba at the Thompson Mine, leading Inco to make what was then the largest private capital investment in provincial history – at $175 million to build a modern mine and community infrastructure.

1997 – Inco’s exploration program discovers nickel deposits in Newfoundland and Labrador’s Voisey’s Bay area.

Today, Canada remains a top global nickel producer, having established itself as a leading source of the metal over several decades. However, declining mine production is a significant concern – new mines in B.C., Ontario, and elsewhere are needed to ensure Canada remains a top nickel-producer globally.

Join Us Today!

Mining is a vital part of Canada’s economy, supporting jobs for more than 700,000 families from coast to coast. Home to abundant metals and minerals, Canada must continue to take the steps necessary to cement our status as a global mining leader and ensure prosperity for our communities.

Make your voice heard by joining hundreds of thousands of other Canadians and us online at X, Instagram and Facebook today! Learn more about the positive influence natural resources have on our lives and how we should be a global supplier of choice for oil, natural gas, minerals, metals, forest products, agricultural products, and everything in between!

“Mining may be out of sight for most Ontarians, but it powers our daily lives — from the lights in our homes to the cars we drive.

We invite Ontario’s business community, government, and Indigenous partners to work with us on the reforms needed to secure a prosperous economic…

— Canada Action (@CanadaAction) December 13, 2025

SOURCES:

_{1 - https://natural-resources.canada.ca/minerals-mining/mining-data-statistics-analysis/minerals-metals-facts/nickel-facts}

_{2 - https://www.mining-technology.com/marketdata/five-largest-nickel-mines-canada/}

_{3 – https://canadanickel.com/}

_{4 – https://fpxnickel.com/projects-overview/baptiste-nickel-project/}

_{5 - https://www.northernontariobusiness.com/industry-news/mining/canada-nickel-serves-up-more-of-timmins-potential-as-a-nickel-mining-district-10955509}