Sub-activity 1.2.1

Mining Innovation

Description

Increased innovation is needed to improve the productivity and competitiveness of Canadian mines, smelters and refineries. Canada’s capacity for mining innovation has reached a critical level as a result of declining enrolment in university programs and changes in industry structure. Mining research is fragmented and focused on shorter-term, lower-risk projects to improve existing processes. The time and effort required to develop and commercialize breakthrough technologies and the associated risks are substantially greater. This program conducts coordinated research to address priorities identified by stakeholders, including the Canada Mining Innovation Council, industry, academics, technology developers and representatives of provincial and territorial governments. A collaborative approach reduces financial risks for industry partners and ensures that program priorities are aligned with business needs.

Examples of higher-risk innovation opportunities that could generate substantial economic benefits within Canada include new technologies to develop and operate safely and profitably deeper mines and to process ores, concentrates and recyclable materials that cannot be processed with commercially available technologies. The program also a) creates opportunities to develop next-generation professionals to spur innovation and b) supplies standard reference materials to service providers and industry analytical laboratories. Laboratories rely on reference materials to ensure the quality of data that inform mineral investment decisions, determine product value, drive process improvement and improve confidence in environmental monitoring.