Canada Nickel's Crawford Nickel Project Named Under Ontario's One Project, One Process Framework

(TheNewswire)

TORONTO, January 13, 2026 –TheNewswire - Noble Mineral Exploration Inc. ("Noble" or the "Company") (TSXV:NOB) (OTCQB: NLPXF) is pleased to provide the announcement by CanadaNickel that its Crawford Nickel Project has been name for Ontario’sOne Project, One Process framework.

Noble CEO Vance Whitesaid “We congratulate Canada Nickel in theirannouncement today as to its Crawford Nickel Project being formallynamed for the Province of Ontario’s One Project, One Process. Webelieve this is a huge step forward in the potential development ofthe Crawford deposit.”

“Crawford Nickel Project NamedUnder Ontario’s One Project, One Process Framework”

 TORONTO, January 13, 2026 – Canada Nickel Company Inc. (“CanadaNickel” or the “Company”) (TSX-V: CNC) (OTCQB: CNIKF) todayannounced the Province of Ontario has formally named the CrawfordNickel Project (“Crawford” or “the Project”) as the secondproject to be advanced under the Province’s new One Project, OneProcess (“1P1P”) framework. The 1P1P framework is designed tobetter coordinate Ontario’s permitting and review processes formajor mining developments by aligning timelines, responsibilities, andinformation sharing across provincial ministries. For Canada Nickel,this designation reflects the advanced state, scale, and strategicimportance of the Crawford Nickel Project within Ontario’s CriticalMinerals Strategy. “Ontario is moving at lightning speed to openthis 100% Canadian owned mine to create 4,000 jobs for Canadianworkers,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines. “In2026, our government is going full-tilt to unlock one of the world’slargest nickel deposits that will supercharge our economy and help endChina’s critical mineral dominance. ‘Made-in -Canada’ from startto finish, as we build a domestic supply chain that includes theWestern world’s largest nickel sulphide mine, a new nickelprocessing plant and downstream alloy production facility.”“Today’s announcement underscores the strategic significance ofthe Crawford Nickel Project for Ontario and the province’s ambitionto establish a world-leading, Made-in-Ontario critical minerals supplychain,” said Mark Selby, CEO of Canada Nickel Company. “Crawfordis purpose-built to anchor a new low-carbon mining and clean metalsmanufacturing corridor in Northeastern Ontario - driving long-termeconomic growth, creating high-quality jobs, and ensuring that valuegeneration remains within the province. As the only mining project inCanada to secure this type of endorsement from both federal andprovincial governments, today’s announcement strengthens ourcommitment to commencing construction by yearend. We look forward toworking with the province through its newly announced CriticalMinerals Processing Fund to help realize these ambitions.”Importantly, Canada Nickel has engaged in comprehensive consultationswith the Province of Ontario and re-affirmed that the 1P1P frameworkwill complement - not replace our longstanding commitments toIndigenous Nations, environmental stewardship, or regulatory rigour.The framework is intended to enhance government coordination andefficiency, while maintaining the highest standards for projectdevelopment and community engagement. Crawford is already advancing atthe forefront of Canada’s modernized regulatory framework, havingbecome the first mining project in the country to submit an ImpactStatement under the amended Impact Assessment Act, 2019, in November2024. Together with its designation under the 1P1P framework and itsreferral to the federal Major Projects Office in November 2025, thesemilestones establish a clear path to responsibly acceleratedevelopment. 2 Crawford is expected to be the largest nickel sulphideproject in the western world and among the most economicallysignificant mining developments in Canada. Independent analysisestimates the Project will generate more than $70 billion in GDP overits initial 40+ year mine life, including approximately $67 billionfor Ontario alone, while supporting 1,000 direct and 3,000 indirectand induced jobs. Through its patented In-Process Tailings (IPT)Carbonation technology, Crawford is also expected to permanently storeup to 1.5 million tonnes of CO? annually, positioning it to becomeone of Canada’s largest carbon storage facilities, and the world’sfirst net-zero carbon nickel mines. All technical information derivedin this news release is from the Company’s Crawford FeasibilityStudy, published in November 2023.

Qualified Person and Data Verification

Stephen J. Balch (P.Geo.– Ontario), VP Exploration of Canada Nickel and a "QualifiedPerson" within the meaning of NI 43-101, has verified the datadisclosed in this news release, and has otherwise reviewed andapproved the technical information in this news release on behalf ofCanada Nickel Company Inc.

The magnetic imagesshown in this news release were created from Canada Nickel'sinterpretation of datasets provided by the Ontario GeologicalSurvey.

About Canada Nickel Company

Canada Nickel CompanyInc. is advancing the next generation of nickel-sulphide projects todeliver nickel required to feed the high growthelectric vehicle and stainless-steel markets. Canada NickelCompany has applied in multiple jurisdictions totrademark the terms NetZero NickelTM, NetZeroCobaltTM, NetZero IronTM and is pursuing the development ofprocesses to allow the production of net zero carbon nickel, cobalt,and iron products. Canada Nickel providesinvestors with leverage to nickel in low political riskjurisdictions. Canada Nickel is currentlyanchored by its 100% owned flagship Crawford Nickel-Cobalt SulphideProject in the heart of the prolific Timmins-NickelDistrict. For moreinformation, please visit www.canadanickel.com.

About Noble Mineral ExplorationInc.

Noble Mineral Exploration Inc. is a Canadian-basedjunior exploration company, which has holdings of securities in CanadaNickel Company Inc., Homeland Nickel Inc., East Timmins NickelInc.(20%), and its interest in the Holdsworth gold explorationproperty in the area of Wawa, Ontario.

Noble holds mineral and/or exploration rights in~70,000ha in Northern Ontario, ~14,000ha elsewhere in Quebec andNewfoundland, upon which it plans to generate option/joint ventureexploration programs.

Noble holds mineral rights and/or exploration rights in~18,000 hectares in the Timmins-Cochrane areasof Northern Ontario known as Project 81, ~2,215 hectares in ThomasTwp/Timmins, as well as an additional 20% interest in ~38,700 hectaresin the Timmins area and ~175 hectares of mining claims in CentralNewfoundland. Project 81 hosts diversified drill-ready gold,nickel-cobalt and base metal exploration targets at various stages ofexploration. Noble also holds ~4,600 hectares in the NagagamiCarbonatite Complex and its ~3,200 hectares in the Boulder Projectboth near Hearst, Ontario, as well as ~3,700 hectares in theBuckingham Graphite Property, ~10,152 hectares in the Havre St Pierre Nickel, Copper, PGM property, and ~1,573 hectares in theCere-Villebon Nickel, Copper, PGM property, ~569 hectare Uranium/RareEarth property (Chateau) and a ~461 hectare Uranium/Molybdenumproperty (Taser North),  all of which are in the province ofQuebec. 

Noble’s common shares trade on the TSX VentureExchange under the symbol “NOB.”

More detailed information on Noble is available on thewebsite at www.noblemineralexploration.com.

Cautionary Note and StatementConcerning Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains certain information thatmay constitute "forward-looking information" underapplicable Canadian securities legislation.  Forward lookinginformation includes, but is not limited to, the potential of the MannWest Nickel Sulphide Project, timing for filing a technical report insupport of the Mineral Resource Estimate, the significance of drillresults, the ability to continue drilling, the impact of drilling onthe definition of any resource, timing and completion (if at all) ofadditional mineral resource estimates, the potential of the TimminsNickel District, strategic plans, including future exploration anddevelopment plans and results, and corporate and technical objectives. Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon severalassumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to knownand unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may causethe actual results and future events to differ materially from thoseexpressed or implied by such forward-looking information.  Factorsthat could affect the outcome include, among  others:  future pricesand the supply of metals, the future demand for metals, the results ofdrilling, inability to raise  the money necessary to incur theexpenditures required to retain and advance the property,environmental liabilities  (known  and  unknown), general business,economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, results of exploration programs, risks of the mining industry, delays inobtaining governmental approvals, failure to obtain  regulatory orshareholder approvals.  There can be no assurance that suchinformation will prove to be accurate, as actual results and futureevents could differ materially from those anticipated in suchinformation.  Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance onforward-looking information.  All forward-looking informationcontained in this press release is given as of the date hereof and isbased upon the opinions and estimates of management and informationavailable to management as at the date hereof.  Canada Nickeldisclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise anyforward-looking information, whether because of new information.Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (asthat term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) acceptsresponsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Contacts:

H. Vance White, President

Phone:        416-214-2250

Fax:        416-367-1954

Email:        info@noblemineralexploration.com

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