Collaboration in mining sector.

• Author: Louiseize, Kelly
• Position: NEWS

Canada is the largest international investor in exploration and mining, says 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 the NORCAT's Northern Ontario Business Breakfast Series hosted at Cambrian College's Fontaine Bleue Dining Room where more than 60 business leaders attended. With an estimated 40 per cent 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.

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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 says.

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 states, "but the benefits are not being fully utilized."

It is necessary to rebuild Canada's mining research excellence, Hynes says. 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.

"A greater degree of collaboration...