Canadian company Rail-Veyor Technologies Global Inc won first place in the 4th annual Mining Cleantech Challenge on July 23, 2020. Along with winning the title, a $5,000 prize was awarded which RVTG announced would be used for education-based marketing to mining companies, engineering and consulting companies, and mining schools.

The technology was chosen by mining executives and investors in the industry as the best among a competitive field of 13 total companies representing the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK. An international team of judges reviewed and voted on the winners at the first ever virtual Mining Cleantech Challenge hosted by Colorado Cleantech Industries Association (CCIA).

“The Rail-Veyor® TrulyAutonomous™ haulage system is a natively electric solution so there are no diesel emissions to affect the workforce or community of a mine either underground or on surface applications. We are proud that the Rail-Veyor system is a cleaner choice for the planet than other standard bulk material hauling choices with the added benefit of significantly reduced opex costs,” Rail-Veyor’s Lisa Youngblood, Executive Director of Marketing and Communications, stated of the winning technology.

Sponsors and partners of the program included Newmont, BHP, Fresnillo, Royal Gold, Ausenco, Clareo, Colorado School of Mines, Consulate General of Canada – Denver, Dorsey, Jolimont Global Mining Systems, Resource Capital Funds, Rocky Mountain Institute, and The J.P. Morgan Center for Commodities at CU Denver Business School.

CCIA’s Executive Director, Helen El Mallakh reflected on the relationship between cleantech and the mining industry: “Today, the mining industry is being called upon to provide the materials that are necessary to build a more sustainable global economy. In many ways, mining is at a pivot point and cleantech is the catalyst. That is why the technologies that are used in this sector are so meaningful and why events like the Mining Cleantech Challenge are critical in advancing the process.”

Following the Mining Cleantech Challenge, a virtual networking reception was held where guests of sponsors and presenting companies joined cleantech industry leaders. In addition to Rail-Veyor’s winning presentation, Earth Alive Clean Technologies from Canada took in second place and NanoSeis from Colorado rounded out the top three. “On behalf of CCIA, I thank our sponsors, partners, and participants for making this year’s Challenge so successful, and we look forward to future Mining Cleantech Challenges that will be held in less challenging times for us all,” El Mallakh concluded.

Youngblood added: “We were excited to be selected as a finalist for the Mining Cleantech Challenge. The change to a virtual event provided some challenges, but it was great to meet innovators from around the globe. With so many exceptional ideas presented during the day, I was honestly surprised and thrilled when Rail-Veyor was announced as the winner. We are looking forward to advancing the conversations with industry leaders who are making cleantech a priority for their companies.”