New research cluster gathers great minds.

• Author: Stewart, Nick
• Position: MINING

Armed with the common goal of pushing the innovation envelope, four of the leading research companies have officially come together under one Sudbury roof for the first time.

Located on the fourth floor of the Willet Green Miller Centre on the Laurentian University campus, the new mining research cluster will allow these industry-focused companies to work more closely and network more easily.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

The move brings together a number of industry-related entities, including the Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI) and the Mining Innovation, Rehabilitation and Applied Research Corporation (MIRARCO). The Canadian Mining Industry Research Organization (CAMIRO), as well as the Mines and Aggregates Safety and Health Association (MASHA) are also now part of the group.

"Having everyone together like this will simplify a lot of things for everyone here," says Peter Kaiser, president and CEO of CEMI.

"We'll be able to demonstrate the critical mass of knowledge we're building and the cutting-edge research that's being done, and the partnerships that need to be formed to do it."

Despite the wealth of industry-related needs and support present in the Sudbury basin, Kaiser admits he realizes that the industry needs of a community of 150,000 is an insufficient basis for being competitive at the international level.

Instead, CEMI needs to take a broader perception to truly shine, he says.

In other words, the only way to become a "world-class networked research centre" is by seeking to support not only industry's research needs, but also mining companies, exploration companies, as well as supply and services companies.

Establishing a central research node such as this, says Kaiser, is important step in achieving that goal.

The official ribbon-cutting of the centre in late August also shone a light on the many research projects currently underway throughout the various institutions. These covered a broad scope of topics, ranging from deep mine insulation to heat stress and even to the development of sensors to identify small high-density orebodies.

Tom Lane, director of research development with CAMIRO, outlined some of the projects being undertaken by his organization, including the more effective identification of indicator minerals for nickel deposits.

Lane argued the industry needs greater champions for its research needs, but is hamstrung by a lack of time due to...