Canada Nickel Announces Share-Based Compensation Grant

Rhea-AI Summary

Canada Nickel (TSXV: CNC / OTCQB: CNIKF) granted equity and deferred awards for fiscal 2025 performance on Dec 30, 2025. Total grants: 1,900,000 stock options (exercise price $1.16, five-year term, vesting in three equal annual tranches), 1,900,000 RSUs (settled in common shares, vesting in three equal annual tranches), 1,900,000 cash-settled performance RSUs (vesting in full on board approval to commence construction of the Crawford Project or potentially vesting in thirds after one year subject to market parameters), and 750,000 DSUs (vesting/settlement under the DSU Plan approved May 28, 2025).

Grants are to certain directors, officers and/or employees and tie a portion of pay to construction and market-based performance triggers.

Positive

• Total awards equal 5,450,000 units across options, RSUs, cash RSUs and DSUs
• Options priced at $1.16 with a five-year term align long-term incentives
• Cash-settled RSUs link vesting to Crawford Project construction decision

Negative

• Grants may cause share dilution when 1,900,000 RSUs and exercised options are settled
• Cash-settled RSUs vesting is contingent on a construction decision, adding execution risk

News Market Reaction – CNIKF

+5.02%

1 alert

+5.02% News Effect

On the day this news was published, CNIKF gained 5.02%, reflecting a notable positive market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

TORONTO, Dec. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Canada Nickel Company Inc. ("Canada Nickel" or the "Company") (TSXV: CNC) (OTCQB: CNIKF) today announced that it has granted to certain directors, officers and/or employees with respect to performance in the fiscal year ending October 31, 2025 a total of: (i) 1,900,000 stock options to acquire common shares of the Company (the "Options"), (ii) 1,900,000 restricted share units to be settled in common shares of the Company (the "RSUs"); (iii) 1,900,000 restricted share units with performance-based vesting conditions to be settled in cash only (the "cash-settled RSUs"); (iv) 750,000 deferred share units which vest and settle in accordance with the terms of the DSU Plan approved on May 28, 2025.

The Options have an exercise price of $1.16 per common share, a five-year term from the date of grant and vest annually in equal thirds beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant. The RSUs vest annually in equal thirds beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant. The cash-settled RSUs will vest in their entirety upon the board of directors' approval to commence construction of the Crawford Project. If a construction decision on the Crawford Project is not made within one year from date of grant, the cash-settled RSUs may vest annually in equal thirds beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant depending on certain market parameters established by the board.

About Canada Nickel Company

Canada Nickel Company Inc. is advancing the next generation of nickel-sulphide projects to deliver nickel required to feed the high growth electric vehicle and stainless-steel markets. Canada Nickel Company has applied in multiple jurisdictions to trademark the terms NetZero Nickel^TM, NetZero Cobalt^TM, NetZero Iron^TM and is pursuing the development of processes to allow the production of net zero carbon nickel, cobalt, and iron products. Canada Nickel provides investors with leverage to nickel in low political risk jurisdictions. Canada Nickel is currently anchored by its 100% owned flagship Crawford Nickel-Cobalt Sulphide Project in the heart of the prolific Timmins-Nickel District. For more information, please visit www.canadanickel.com.

For further information, please contact:
Mark Selby
CEO
Phone: 647-256-1954
Email: info@canadanickel.com

Cautionary Note and Statement Concerning Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains certain information that may constitute "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities legislation.  Forward looking information includes, but is not limited to, a decision to proceed with construction of the Crawford Project and corporate and technical objectives.  Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon several assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information.  Factors that could affect the outcome include, among others: future prices and the supply of metals, the future demand for metals, the results of drilling, inability to raise capital on acceptable terms or at all, environmental liabilities (known and unknown), general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, results of exploration programs, risks of the mining industry, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, and failure to obtain regulatory or shareholder approvals. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information.  Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.  All forward-looking information contained in this press release is given as of the date hereof and is based upon the opinions and estimates of management and information available to management as at the date hereof.  Canada Nickel disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether because of new information. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

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SOURCE Canada Nickel Company Inc.

FAQ

How many stock options did Canada Nickel (CNIKF) grant on December 30, 2025?

Canada Nickel granted 1,900,000 stock options on December 30, 2025.

What is the exercise price and term for the CNIKF options granted on Dec 30, 2025?

The options have an exercise price of $1.16 per share and a five-year term from the grant date.

When do the RSUs and options granted by Canada Nickel (CNIKF) vest?

The RSUs and options vest annually in three equal tranches beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date.

What triggers vesting for the cash-settled RSUs granted by Canada Nickel (CNIKF)?

Cash-settled RSUs vest in full upon board approval to commence construction of the Crawford Project or may vest in thirds after one year subject to board-set market parameters.

How many deferred share units (DSUs) did Canada Nickel (CNIKF) grant and how do they settle?

Canada Nickel granted 750,000 DSUs which vest and settle according to the DSU Plan approved May 28, 2025.

Who received the share-based compensation grants from Canada Nickel (CNIKF)?

The grants were made to certain directors, officers and/or employees for fiscal year ending October 31, 2025.