Hard Creek Nickel Corporation: Stock Options Granted

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Jan. 4, 2013) - Hard Creek Nickel Corporation (the "Company") (TSX:HNC) today announces that pursuant to its Stock Option Plan, approved by the Toronto Stock Exchange, the Company will be granting 2,650,000 stock options to certain Consultants, Directors, Officers and Employees, exercisable at $0.10 per share, expiring January 4, 2018.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Hard Creek Nickel Corporation,

Mark Jarvis, President

HARD CREEK NICKEL CORPORATION