Last week, he Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI) was selected as one of four recipients of the Business-led Networks of Centres of Excellence (BL-NCE) program for its Ultra-Deep Mining Network (UDMN) proposal and was awarded C$15 million in funding, the largest grant recipient of the 2014 competition. Managed through CEMI, the UDMN will lever collaborative, networked solution teams to solve critical private sector research and development challenges that impact resource extraction in ultra deep mining environments.
It will also cover deep, tight shale-hosted hydrocarbon reservoirs. Addressing these development and operational challenges in some of the deepest mines in the world will result in increased productivity, decreased risk to workers, lower energy use, as well as lower capital and operating costs, achieved through performance and efficiency improvements.
In conjunction with C$15 million received from the BL-NCE, the UDMN also received significant partnership commitments of C$31 million in leveraged cash and in–kind contributions. The UDMN is a C$46 million business-driven network, founded and funded by members of the mining and oil & gas industries, with the active participation of small to medium sized enterprises, industry agencies, research facilities and academia.
Douglas Morrison, President and CEO of CEMI and Network Director of the UDMN spoke to the reputation and track record of CEMI at the announcement, highlighting achievements in key areas of hard rock metal mining: high–stress conditions, mine productivity and mine constructions, as well as exploration and environmental sustainability. “With the UDMN, we will continue to establish collaborative networks with industry, academia and small to medium enterprises, enabling us to play a central role in the kinds of innovations necessary for the global mining industry.”
The Honourable Greg Rickford, Minister of State (Science and Technology), stated that, “our government is committed to supporting research that addresses private sector R&D challenges in key priority areas, for the benefit of all Canadians. The Business-Led Networks of Centres of Excellence program enhances private sector innovation by blending academic expertise with the private sector’s drive to solve real-world challenges. These networks bring expertise and stimulate private sector investment in R&D, innovation and competitiveness. For example, right here in Sudbury, researchers are finding solutions to today’s challenges in mining in order to foster growth and stimulate the development of this important sector to the economy of Northern Ontario. “
CEMI, located in Sudbury, Ontario, is continuing its R&D efforts to facilitate the delivery of step-change research initiatives which are deemed critically important to the mining industry. It strives to establish excellence in strategic areas of research: deep mining, mineral exploration, integrated mine engineering, environment and sustainability.
