Tag Archives: Vancouver

Weir Motion Metrics to expand into new state-of-the-art facility in Vancouver

Comminution of minerals, IoT, Mining equipment, Mining services, Mining software, , , , ,

Weir Motion Metrics recently cut the ribbon on a new state-of-the-art facility in Vancouver, British Columbia, that, the company says, will allow the business to better serve customers and provide employees with an innovative workspace for collaboration and development.

On March 13, Weir Motion Metrics opened the site, which is a combined manufacturing, R&D and demonstration space. At 19,725 sq.ft (1,833 sq.m), the new facility is an exciting next step for Motion Metrics, which was born in a business incubator at the University of British Columbia and has grown to a leader in innovative artificial intelligence (AI) and 3D rugged machine vision technology for miners worldwide. Weir acquired Motion Metrics in late 2021.

Mike Funke, Vice President of Weir ESCO, which oversees Weir Motion Metrics, said: “In recent years, there has beena very strong pull from mining leaders for AI-enabled digital solutions. This space will be the new home for Weir’s global centre of excellence for AI and digital solutions. The grand opening reflects our continued commitment to the Vancouver technology and business communities.”

Miners are increasingly focused on improving the safety, efficiency, productivity and sustainability of their operations. Weir Motion Metrics specialises in developing advanced monitoring solutions designed to attain these critical objectives. The facility will continue to support demand and customer needs for years to come, it said.

The company has recently embarked on an ore characterisation trial at a copper mine, leveraging its AI and 3D rugged machine vision technology alongside spectral sensors.

Newmont sets up global centre to promote meaningful engagement with Indigenous Peoples

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Newmont Corp has launched the Newmont Global Center for Indigenous Community Relations as a key part of the company’s aim to promote meaningful engagement with Indigenous Peoples.

The centre will be a resource for the company and the mining industry as a way to promote awareness, education and engagement between industry and Indigenous Peoples, the gold miner said.

Tom Palmer, President and Chief Executive Officer, explained: “Newmont recognises the special connection between Indigenous Peoples and the land, and that mining can affect this connection in some challenging ways. The entire industry has a great opportunity to learn and improve our practices.

“Through the centre, meaningful partnerships will be formed to create a space for dialogue and sharing with the aim of improving outcomes for Indigenous communities around our operations and act as a catalyst for improvement within the mining industry.”

The centre seeks to establish a respected source of dialogue, collective knowledge and experiences in order to improve the company’s practices and contribute in advancing the industry’s approach to engagement with Indigenous communities, Newmont said. It has identified three focus areas and a set of three-year strategic objectives to orient meaningful outcomes. These focus areas are:

  • Partnership and learning network;
  • Respect for customs and culture; and
  • Opportunities for Indigenous People.

Based in Vancouver, Canada, the centre will work collaboratively with the Advisory Council on Indigenous Community Relations, a group of external experts who advise the Safety and Sustainability Committee of the Board of Directors.

An internal working group comprised of diverse representatives from within Newmont will also share experiences, best practices and identify ways to improve collaboration. The centre will work across all of Newmont’s jurisdictions around the world, the miner said.

CIM 2020 looks to ‘mine the gap’

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The CIM 2020 Convention is set to gather more than 5,000 participants in Vancouver, Canada – for knowledge sharing, business and networking.

The four-day schedule consists of a line-up of expertly-led workshops, three full days of technical presentations divided in eight different and innovative themes ranging from operating challenges and solutions to porphyry deposits of the Cordilleras, great networking opportunities, a complete student/young leaders’ program, and a world-acclaimed trade show, the organisers say.

The Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) calls itself the leading not-for-profit technical society of professionals in the Canadian minerals, metals, materials and energy industries. “We have been bringing professionals and experts of the minerals industry together for 123 years,” it says.
“This year’s convention will revolve around the theme “Mine the_Gap”, whether it’s the knowledge, networking, innovation or business gap,” CIM said.

The program will kick-off on Monday, May 4, with CIM’s signature Plenary. “Sophisticated technology, artificial intelligence and their performance metrics – within or outside the mining sector – can position mining as the industry to benchmark against at this time of disruption,” CIM said, adding that the Plenary will approach innovation with a focus on empirical results – or proven technology.

“Which countries achieve better underground performance metrics? Can their practices be effectively transported? How can mining rapidly adopt the successes of the energy sector? What lessons have been learned in mining the oil sands? CIM members will be exposed to cutting edge views on our sector,” the organisers said.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, May 5 and 6, the Technical Program will help mine the knowledge gap, CIM said. The program will start early with a 45-minute general keynote session taking place in the general room to hear “inspiring experts share their visions of the future of mining”, CIM said.

They will then head to eight streams to sit in on a diverse selection of technical presentations, each with an overarching theme and a lineup of sessions relevant to wide audiences. More than 300 presenters will captivate an audience of plus-1,200 conference delegates gathered to learn, exchange knowledge and focus on the future, CIM said.

The CIM EXPO, one of Canada’s premier mining trade show opens on Sunday, May 3. It will once again feature around 450 companies showcasing the latest in mining equipment, tools, technology, services and products.

“You will not want to miss out on Canada’s leading Mining Marketplace,” CIM said. “In addition to the trade show, the Innovation stage will give trade show visitors a taste of the technical program taking place in the conference rooms.”

Young Leaders will also have a home at CIM, with student registration providing access to the full delegate package. Also, several activities are planned for young leaders, early career professionals and students to network. “The Newbie Lounge at the Expo will provide them with learning and mentorship opportunities,” CIM said.

“A myriad of social activities has been planned to maximise your networking opportunities and make your convention memorable. From the opening ceremony to the closing reception, participants will want to plan for networking receptions, industry lunches, evening galas and celebrations and much more.”

Mine the_Gap! is about getting increasingly closer to exemplary practices. Register early, reserve your event tickets and mark your calendar at www.convention.cim.org.

International Mining is a media sponsor of the CIM 2020 Convention

IMDEX symposium sets the exploration scene for AME Roundup

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IMDEX recently held its fifth annual Xploration Technology Symposium in Vancouver, Canada, in which virtual reality, machine learning and new exploration technologies all received significant airtime.

The event, held on January 17, came ahead of AME’s annual Mineral Exploration Roundup, also held in Vancouver, on January 20-23. It saw 16 speakers and 160 attendees turn up.

IMDEX, which has a suite of drilling optimisation products to improve the process of identifying and extracting mineral resources globally, said the event covered multi-element data, artificial intelligence for mineral exploration and exploration instrumentation, along with a series of case studies. The focus was on improving and driving innovation in the mining industry and providing a platform to share big ideas, new technologies and new processes in exploration.

International consulting practice, SRK, had Principal Structural Geologist, Wayne Barnett, present on virtual-mixed reality, where he discussed augmented visual powers to automatically measure surface orientations and how this technology is changing best practices in data collection and analysis, IMDEX said.

Professor Bern Klein, of the University of British Columbia, meanwhile, discussed industry research to optimise value and ensure worker safety in deep underground mass mining operations.

The use of machine learning for mineral exploration in greenfield areas was discussed by GoldSpot Discoveries Corp Chief Operating Officer, Vincent Dube-Bourgeois, during the session on artificial intelligence.

Among the exploration case studies was one from Chris Gallagher, Rogue Geoscience President, a company that has been instrumental in developing several exploration technologies and geological data management systems used in the industry today, according to IMDEX.

And, Nick Payne, Global Product Manager Structural Geology at IMDEX, in his presentation ‘A New Wave of Drilling Optimisation’, discussed new technologies IMDEX COREVIBE and IMDEX XTRACTA – which, he says, offer substantial improvements in safety and productivity.

Canada invests in clean and green copper hydrometallurgical technology

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Natural Resource Canada has set aside funds for a mineral extraction research and development project that, applied at commercial scale, will help reduce emissions and water use while lowering costs for companies, it said.

The project, being carried out by Vancouver’s Jetti Services Canada Inc (Jetti Resources), will develop a more energy-efficient process to extract copper from regular- and lower-grade ores, as well as waste mining materials and tailings, according to the NRC.

Jetti Resources calls itself a technology-driven natural resources company that has developed a novel hydrometallurgical technology to extract metals of value from mineral ores that the mining industry has struggled to process.

“The Jetti technology is especially advantaged for extracting copper from low-grade primary sulphides, the world’s most abundant copper resource,” it said. “The catalytic technology seamlessly integrates with existing heap leaching methods and downstream processing operations.”

According to the company, the technology requires low capital expenditure, operating costs and enables high copper yields. It also has a strong environmental profile, “leading to lower criteria emissions and water usage along with the maximisation of resources at existing copper deposits.”

The NRC, through its C$155 million Clean Growth Program, agreed to invest C$492,500 ($377,261) in the project, while Innovate BC, a Crown corporation that helps accelerate technology commercialisation by supporting startups and developing entrepreneurs in British Columbia, also committed C$150,000 to the project.

Funding for the clean technology project was announced during the 2019 Energy and Mines Ministers’ Conference (EMMC), held in Cranbrook, British Columbia, taking place on July 15-17, where ministers from federal, provincial and territorial governments are meeting under the theme, ‘Competitiveness and Innovation in Canada’s Energy and Mining Sectors.’

The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, said: “The Government of Canada continues to invest in projects that are positioning Canada’s mining industry to lead the clean energy future. Through strong government partnerships and a commitment to innovation, we are building the sustainable and competitive mining industry of tomorrow.”