Organizations driving innovation
A spirit of development
Québec is host to several organizations whose express purpose is to stimulate technological and operational advancements within the mining sector. CONSOREM is a research consortium with over 20 members from the mining industry, including smaller mineral exploration companies, larger mining producers, government, academic institutions, and service providers. Its members are responsible for choosing the annual projects that are executed by CONSOREM’s dedicated researchers, which range from collaborations with specialists in geophysics or geoscience to AI.
As part of CONSOREM’s mission to provide more companies with access to quality research, the non-profit organization can also serve as a liaison between academia and industry. “We are in the unique position to transfer academic knowledge from the university level to industrial members. We also offer training courses to transfer knowledge, bridging the gap between academic knowledge and how it can benefit industry players,” said director Benoit Lafrance.
Over the pandemic, CONSOREM has begun developing more online training courses, which has expanded its audience reach as far as France and Northern Africa.
“Our aim is to share our learning as far and wide as possible to contribute to mineral exploration success. With the addition of Zoom courses, we can reach hundreds of people from around the world, including viewers from France and Northern Africa.”
Benoit Lafrance, Director, CONSOREM
COREM has the largest concentration of resources dedicated to research and development for mineral processing in Canada. One component of its business model is its pre-competitive research program that includes Champion Iron, Agnico Eagle and ArcelorMittal as members. According to Francis Fournier, president and CEO, participating companies contribute financially but also through sharing their needs and resources. In taking a collaborative approach, Fournier believes the probability of innovation deployment increases: “COREM plays an important role in de-risking and validating the performance of new technologies, scaling them up, and encouraging deployment of innovation in the mining sector. The key is to find the right partners to de-risk new technologies.”
Leadership within the non-profit organization Groupe MISA also believe its members benefit from collaboration. The organization’s general manager, Alain Beauséjour, advocates that Groupe MISA’s most important assets are its expert networks. “Groupe MISA provides its clients with unparalleled introductions to representatives of the top mining operations in the province who collectively comprise six expert network groups along the mineral process,” Beauséjour explained. “We propose collaborative projects to these groups, and they provide funding to support initiatives that address problems they share. This method highlights the collaborative spirit within Québec's mining culture, where nearly everybody is willing to share information and best practices.”
Groupe MISA offers its Essor process as a means to reduce business risk and maximize financial leverage. Within the process, the organization provides customized support and coaching before helping companies plan and execute the direction of their projects. Similarly, 48 Nord International developed its ReActor 48 program towards the beginning of the pandemic to better assist companies in promoting their products and services in new markets. “In the first stage, companies are placed in large groups to conduct certain diagnostics such as the identification of competitors and market analysis,” explained Valérie Lemay, who became general manager of the organization in January 2022. “They are then coached by 48 Nord's team to create an impact value proposition as well as an identification and classification of clients, partners and suppliers.”
“In 2021, approximately 50% of our pre-competitive research program investments have had an environmental objective as a priority, and this increases from year to year.”
Francis Fournier, President and CEO, COREM
In the final stage, 48 Nord’s team continues to support these companies and ensure they develop appropriately. Among the list of current and previous participants includes such companies as Meglab, InnovExplo, MBI Global, and Adria Power Systems.
The Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) has operated as a technical society of minerals professionals for over 124 years. The CIM supports the industry through the curation of knowledge and professional development, the promotion of best practices, and through hosting events that help people form meaningful connections with other industry members. As part of its three-year strategic plan articulated in 2021, the institute will spend 2022 focusing on the theme of renewal. Angela Hamlyn, the CIM’s CEO, made sure this theme was on display at the institute’s conference held in Vancouver in May 2022. “Our theme was ‘Mining for Future Generations,’ and we sought inspiration from both inside and outside our industry to examine mining’s critical role in a sustainable future.”
In this way, organizations working to foster innovation within the industry can make an impact not only by centralizing resources and knowledge, but through uniting sharp minds willing to collaborate towards making a difference.
Image courtesy of Meglab
“I have seen instances in which service providers will pull their strengths to land a large contract, understanding they are stronger together than they are alone. This spirit is very indicative of the Abitibi-Témiscamingue culture, and I am proud to be a part of it. “
Valérie Lemay, General Manager, 48 Nord International