Sudbury mine innovation centre's global expansion leads to Peru: CEMI's partnership with institute in Peru could lead to an innovation centre in Moquegua.

• Author: Romaniuk, Colleen

The Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI) in Sudbury is progressing its global expansion by signing an agreement in Peru.

Along with CORE Foundation, CEMI has established a memorandum of understanding with the Institute Jose Carlos Mariategui in Moquegua with the intention of building an innovation centre in the region.

CORE Foundation is a private non-profit economic development organization that focuses on innovation and the prevention and resolution of social conflict in Latin America. It is operated by Peruvians located in the U.S.

"In Moquegua, there is an AngloAmerican mine operation (the Quellaveco copper mine)," said Charles Nyabeze, vice-president of business development and commercialization at CEMI.

"The region is very interested in establishing a Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation to be able to service the needs of the mining industry in their own neighbourhood, and to facilitate the transfer of knowledge and new technologies into the area."

According to CEMI's monthly newsletter, initial projects would focus on tailings and water-quality research. Moquegua's government has recently had to declare a state of emergency due to pollution in five local rivers, which has had an impact on the local population's health.

Nyabeze said that the partnership will benefit of Sudbury.

"The solution providers for some...