Doug Morrison President and CEO CENTRE FOR EXCELLENCE IN MINING INNOVATION (CEMI)
What has been the focus at CEMI over the past year?
In 2024, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) was able to provide a small tranche of about C$2.5 million for another 10 projects, as part of a 15-month extension beyond the current program. This would increase our total number of projects funded under the Mining Innovation Commercialization Accelerator (MICA) program to 60, continuing across the same four themes of productivity, energy and GHG reduction, autonomation, and environmental impact of tailings. Our CM-focused program will add three more. Half of the earlier projects now have commercial partners, and we are expecting final results from 12 projects in Q1 this year, and this will help with future funding submissions. We are refining MICA’s business-to-business engagement process, as an effective way to connect new SME innovations with potential markets.
Can you elaborate on the B2B engagement activities?
We facilitated B2B engagements in South Africa, Chile and Mexico, bringing Canadian SMEs with innovative solutions to meet local counterparts. In Chile, for instance, we proposed 15 projects, and they selected 10 for local collaboration. This process yielded dynamic, active engagements and commercial opportunities. MICA now collaborates with local R&D organizations that have established cooperative agreements with us. This model effectively connects SME companies with new commercially viable products and services and helps tailor them to local markets. We are formalizing this as a program within MICA to increase the rate of adoption of innovative solutions, and expanding this approach is now a priority for us.
How is the growing focus on mining technology and innovation influencing funding for SMEs?
Although industry surveys suggest innovation has recently increased in importance for executives, I still do not think it is high enough on the agenda of many of them. This is unfortunate because the industry urgently needs to change its operating practices, especially regarding social and environmental issues. Mining’s social landscape is changing quickly, but mining companies are not adapting fast enough.
Marla Tremblay Executive Director MINECONNECT
What have been the main developments at MineConnect over the past year?
MineConnect has grown to nearly 300 members, making it the largest mining supply and services association in Canada. MineConnect has decided to expand and represent suppliers across the entire Ontario province, instead of just northern Ontario.
At the 2024 CIM Connect Convention, MineConnect partnered with the Mining Suppliers Association of British Columbia, Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership and 48e Nord International of Québec to host a panel of mine operators from the respective provinces, discussing their projects and how they can engage suppliers. We have also made inroads with different regions internationally - including the DRC’s Lualaba province, which is experiencing tremendous growth. MineConnect will continue to host and attend events, build initiatives, and foster partnerships with other provinces, domestically and internationally, to connect our suppliers with various mining industries and help them grow their businesses.
MineConnect also supports and partners with ‘Women in Mining’ chapters, and because we have a significant network of members, we can help bring their message that diversity should be looked at as an opportunity to more industry players.
Can you share how MineConnect’s partnership with the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) and the Northeastern Nevada Regional Development Authority (NNRDA) has evolved?
This partnership has been mutually beneficial, allowing our members to expand their services into a thriving US mining market, filling various gaps within the Nevada mining industry supply chain. In December 2023, NNRDA launched its “Silver Link” program designed to identify and recruit specific mining supply and service providers to enhance northeastern Nevada’s supply chain. As part of this initiative, the “Master Links” element facilitates partnerships with trade organizations to streamline recruitment efforts, and once designated as a Master Link, companies can enjoy various benefits, including insider access to request for proposals (RFPs).