More collaboration needed to enhance research excellence

By Kelly Louiseize

Canada is the largest international investor in exploration and mining said Tom Hynes, the director general of the CANMET Mining and Mineral Sciences Laboratories with Natural Resources Canada.

He was the guest speaker Jan. 15, at NORCAT’s Northern Ontario Business Breakfast Series, hosted at Cambrian College’s Fontaine Bleue Dining Room, which was attended by more than 60 business leaders.

With an estimated 40 percent of the world’s exploration and mining companies based in Canada and more than 1,000 Canadian companies scouting out 8,000 properties in more than 100 countries, some key challenges have surfaced with respect to research, development and innovation divisions.

Shortages of highly qualified professionals such as engineers, scientists and geologists are evident as seasoned experts are retiring with few candidates to fill their positions.

Technical challenges with respect to deep mining, mine automation and environmental challenges in the processing of ore are some others.

Adapting to future environmental regulations, including reclamation and rehabilitation, and improving energy efficiencies, will all play a stronger role in mine development and production, he said.

Collaboration between researchers, end users and technology suppliers including academia, governments and industry is required.

“There is a lot of research and development occurring across Canada,” he stated, “but the benefits are not being fully utilized.”

It is necessary to rebuild Canada’s mining research excellence, Hynes added. He proposes a newly formed organization (Canadian Mining Innovation Council). It is made up of industry, government and academia leaders who work together to address mining research, development, innovation, commercialization, financial, environmental along with health and safety challenges.

Issues such as operations constraints, be it technical or financial, mineral resource and exploration availability, public image, permit delays, and environmental impacts have all played a role in revolutionizing the mining industry.

Energy, water and air management will undoubtedly play a stronger hand in future projects as will liability associated with managing mine waste. Competition amongst producing countries will increase, along with market access for minerals and metals.

Much of the Canadian initiatives will be driven by a need to find deeper ore deposits.

“Mining is one of the most extensive and best developed Canadian clusters,” Hynes said.

He attributes much of its success to the technologies developed from the 1,100 juniors mining companies and 2,500 suppliers that are continually adding value to the industry.