Sector
Battery mineral projects: status, trades and pay
Updated September 27, 2026
The construction start at the Matawinie graphite mine in Saint-Michel-des-Saints, Québec, was announced in May 2026. The federal minister issued the decision statement for the Crawford Nickel Project near Timmins, Ontario, on July 31, 2026. That day, Canada Nickel said it was working towards a construction decision in 2027. The table below gives the dates.
On May 19, 2026, the Government of Canada and Nouveau Monde Graphite announced that construction had started on the Matawinie graphite mine. Canada Nickel said on July 31, 2026 that it was working towards a construction decision in 2027 for the Crawford Nickel Project. For job postings, check these companies’ careers pages.
Does Werko track job postings for these projects?
Werko does not track job postings for battery mineral projects in Canada yet.
Where each project stands
| Project | Status |
|---|---|
| Nouveau Monde Graphite’s Matawinie Mine, in Saint-Michel-des-Saints, Quebec.[5] | On May 19, 2026, the Government of Canada and Nouveau Monde Graphite announced that construction had started on the Matawinie graphite mine[1] |
| Canada Nickel’s Crawford Project, in Timmins, Ontario.[5] | July 31, 2026: the federal minister issued the decision statement for the Crawford Nickel Project. Canada Nickel said it would continue advancing detailed engineering, project financing, and the remaining provincial and federal permits, towards a construction decision in 2027[3][2] |
What the mines would supply
Nouveau Monde Graphite will integrate the Matawinie Mine with a battery material plant in Bécancour, Québec. Canada Nickel Company is proposing an open-pit nickel-cobalt mine and on-site metal mill at Crawford.
Who runs each project
Nouveau Monde Graphite is developing the Matawinie Mine. Canada Nickel Company proposes to build and run the Crawford mine.
How many jobs the projects could support
The federal government says the Matawinie Mine will create more than 1,000 new jobs, from engineering to the skilled trades. For Crawford, the Major Projects Office forecasts about 5,000 jobs in construction and 1,300 in operation. Its page was last modified on May 21, 2026.
These are forecasts, not open jobs.
Typical trades for an open-pit graphite mine
| Trade | Typical work for this project type |
|---|---|
| Heavy Equipment Operator (Excavator) | Operates excavators for excavation and material loading. |
| Heavy Duty Equipment Technician | Haul trucks, loaders, and drills need constant heavy-duty maintenance during operations. |
| Industrial Mechanic (Millwright) | Crushers, grinding mills, conveyors, and pumps need millwright installation and upkeep. |
| Industrial Electrician | Mills, hoists, and mine power systems need industrial electricians in construction and operations. |
| Welder | Mines weld and repair chutes, liners, buckets, and structural steel. |
| Heavy Equipment Operator (Dozer) | Dozers build haul roads, waste dumps, and tailings areas at mine sites. |
| Steamfitter/Pipefitter | Processing plants and tailings systems run on slurry, water, and reagent piping. |
| Instrumentation and Control Technician | Mineral processing plants run on automated controls and field instruments. |
| Construction Electrician | Camps, shops, and site buildings need construction electrical work. |
These trades are typical for an open-pit graphite mine. They are not jobs posted by any one project. The Crawford page lists the trades typical for an open-pit nickel mine.
Tickets you need in Québec
To work in the Québec construction industry covered by Act R-20, you need a competency certificate. There are three types:
An apprentice certificate, for people apprenticing in a trade.
A journeyman certificate, for people who are qualified in a construction trade.
An occupation certificate, for labourers and specialized labourers.
The Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ) also recognizes some trade qualification certificates. Québec’s labour ministry (MTESS) issues them.
Sources8
Tickets you need in Ontario
Ontario has 23 compulsory trades, such as electrician and steamfitter. To work in one, you need one of these valid documents:
Certificate of Qualification
Provisional Certificate of Qualification
Registered Training Agreement
Skilled Trades Ontario lists exemptions for specific groups and tasks. An exemption applies only within its own limits.
Sources9
Pay for two trades in Ontario
Hourly · Ontario · Data from 2023 to 2024 · Dated November 19, 2025
First Nations agreements
Federal government sources describe these agreements:
Matawinie Mine: in 2024, the Conseil des Atikamekw de Manawan signed an Impact Benefit Agreement with Nouveau Monde Graphite. It covers Atikamekw culture, the environment, training, employment, business opportunities and financial benefits.
Crawford Nickel Project: agreements with the Mattagami, Matachewan and Flying Post First Nations cover early business and employment opportunities. They also commit the parties to negotiate contracting opportunities.
Sources
- Nouveau Monde Graphite’s Matawinie Mine
Privy Council Office, Major Projects Office. Retrieved September 27, 2026
- Canada Nickel Secures Federal Approval for Crawford Nickel Project
Canada Nickel Company. Retrieved September 15, 2026
- The federal government announces major milestone for the Crawford Nickel Project
Impact Assessment Agency of Canada. Retrieved September 15, 2026
- Crawford Nickel Project
Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (Canadian Impact Assessment Registry). Retrieved September 15, 2026
- Projects referred to the MPO
Privy Council Office, Major Projects Office. Retrieved September 15, 2026
- Prime Minister Carney breaks ground on Nouveau Monde Graphite’s Matawinie Mine in Québec – the largest graphite mine in the G7
Prime Minister of Canada. Retrieved September 27, 2026
- Canada Nickel’s Crawford Project
Major Projects Office, Privy Council Office, Government of Canada. Retrieved September 15, 2026
- Competency Certificates
Commission de la construction du Québec. Retrieved September 26, 2026
- Work in the compulsory trades
Skilled Trades Ontario. Retrieved September 15, 2026
- Wages Construction Millwright in Ontario
Job Bank (Employment and Social Development Canada). Retrieved September 15, 2026
- Wages Construction Electrician in Ontario
Job Bank (Employment and Social Development Canada). Retrieved September 15, 2026
- Canada Nickel’s Crawford Project referred to the Major Projects Office
Natural Resources Canada. Retrieved September 15, 2026