Mining Innovation
Description
Increased innovation is needed to improve the productivity and competitiveness of Canadian mines. Canada’s capacity for mining innovation has reached a critical level as a result of declining enrolment in university programs and changes in industry structure. Mining research is fragmented and focused on shorter-term, lower-risk projects to improve existing processes. The time and effort required to develop and commercialize breakthrough technologies and the associated risks are substantially greater. This Sub-program conducts coordinated research to address priorities identified by stakeholders, including the Canada Mining Innovation Council, industry, academics, technology developers and representatives of provincial and territorial governments. A collaborative approach reduces financial risks for industry partners and ensures that program priorities are aligned with business needs. Examples of higher-risk innovation opportunities that could generate substantial economic benefits within Canada include new technologies to develop and operate safely and profitably deeper mines and to process ores, concentrates and recyclable materials that cannot be processed with commercially available technologies. The Sub-program also a) creates opportunities to develop next-generation professionals to spur innovation, and b) supplies standard reference materials to service providers and industry analytical laboratories. Laboratories rely on reference materials to ensure the quality of data that inform mineral investment decisions, determine product value, drive process improvement and improve confidence in environmental monitoring.
Non-Financial Performance Information
| Expected Result |
Performance Indicators |
Targets |
| Technology developers increase demonstration of innovative mining and processing technologies |
Number of demonstration projects |
2 (total over 5 years) by March 31, 2017 |
| Industry partners increase financial and in‑kind contributions for mining and processing research |
Value of financial and in-kind contributions by industry partners collaborating with NRCan on mining and processing research |
10% increase over 3-year baseline of $1.8 million by March 31, 2015 |
| Academic, government and other non-industry partners increase financial and in-kind contributions for mining and processing research |
Value of financial and in-kind contributions by academic, government and other non-industry partners collaborating with NRCan on mining and processing research |
10% increase over 3-year baseline of $500,000 by March 31, 2015 |
Financial Performance Information ($ thousands)
| Planned Spending |
Main Estimates |
| 3,526 |
3,526 |
