While other mining executives chased gold and copper riches, Mark Selby dedicated his career to what he calls the highest-value base metal: nickel. This Thursday afternoon, instead of meeting executives in South Korea or Japan as originally planned, the Canada Nickel Company CEO found himself preparing to board a helicopter near Timmins, Ontario, with Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson.
The Culmination of a Lifelong Dream
The helicopter tour marked a significant milestone in Selby's nearly 20-year journey to establish a new nickel mine in Canada. Though the goal remains unachieved, it's closer than ever after the federal government's Major Projects Office added his company's proposed Crawford Nickel mine to its list of fast-tracked projects.
Despite the gravity of the moment, Selby maintained his characteristic affable demeanor. "I usually have about two bars of service while I'm up there," he commented just before boarding. "Text me if you need anything."
From Childhood Passion to Professional Pursuit
Selby's fascination with mining began early. "I had a subscription to the Northern Miner when I was nine years old," he revealed, explaining his pivot to the resources sector. His childhood dream of leading a mining company and making a major discovery evolved into a strategic career choice.
After surveying the global economy as an adult, Selby recognized the scarcity of new nickel projects outside Indonesia. "I thought that was the biggest opportunity rather than doing the 95th copper project or the 180th gold project," he explained.
His nickel focus began in 2001 when he joined Canadian mining giant Inco Ltd, which operated nickel mines in Sudbury's basin before being acquired by Brazilian mining giant Vale Canadian Ltd. in 2006. Following the acquisition, Selby moved between various nickel exploration companies.
Unexpected Discoveries and Strategic Shifts
In 2018, while serving as CEO of Royal Nickel Corp., Selby experienced an unexpected turn of fortune. Workers at the company's Australian nickel mine uncovered massive gold boulders, some of the largest ever found, transforming what was supposed to be a nickel operation.
"I must have done some good things in a past life to have this much good luck in this life," Selby remarked at the time. However, as the company shifted focus toward gold, Selby departed within a year to concentrate on proving Canada Nickel's deposit near Timmins as one of the world's largest nickel projects.
The nickel landscape has transformed dramatically since Selby began his career. Once primarily used to enhance stainless steel, nickel has become essential for batteries and the electric vehicle transition, creating unprecedented demand.
Building International Partnerships
Selby's commitment to nickel development involved extensive international engagement. He estimates making more than 50 trips to Asia over 15 years to secure investors and refine the metallurgy required to process nickel ore into usable metal.
Now, with the Crawford mine receiving government attention and fast-track status, Selby envisions creating the world's next major nickel district. "There's only a handful of projects on that list," he noted. "This is big."
The Crawford Nickel project represents not just a business venture but the realization of a decades-long vision that could position Canada as a global leader in the nickel production essential for the clean energy transition.
