This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.
With the support of a $2 million contribution from Ontario Mining Association member Xstrata Nickel, Cambrian College in Sudbury has officially opened the doors of its new energy research facility. The Xstrata Nickel Sustainable Energy Centre is home to cutting-edge applied research and education programs for sustainable energy.
Cambrian’s three-year Energy Systems Technology, Environmental Monitoring and Impact Assessment programs will be run out of this 16,000 square foot plus $5-million building. The centre will also house research facilities to be used by students, entrepreneurs and the general public.
“With this new centre, we are expanding our capacity for applied research and making room for growth,” said Sylvia Barnard, President of Cambrian College. “We are focused on applied research because it gives students in various programs real-life experience working with prototypes and entrepreneurs.”
“It also supports small and medium sized enterprises and diversifies our local economy,” she added. “The centre also supports two advanced programs that nurture the green economy. Our success, so far, is proof that corporations and local, provincial and federal governments are prioritizing projects that embrace innovation, energy efficiency and environmental stewardship.”
“It is a privilege to have partnered with Cambrian since 2007 in this worthwhile project,” said Marc Boissonneault, Vice President Xstrata Nickel Sudbury Operations. “Today marks the result of our collaborative efforts and it showcases our shared values and commitment towards post-secondary education and research.”
“We are certain the Centre will support sustainable growth within the community,” said Mr. Boissonneault, who is also currently chairman of the OMA. FedNor and the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund also contributed to building this education and research facility in Sudbury.
Ontario’s $10 billion mining industry spends more than $500 million annually on energy, which represents between 15% and 30% of operating costs at various mining operations. Conserving and managing this input costs is a priority for all mineral producers in Ontario.
Xstrata Nickel, headquartered in Toronto, is the fifth largest global nickel producer and one of the world’s largest producers of cobalt. In Canada, the company has mines in and processing facilities in Sudbury and at Raglan in Quebec.
Mining companies are responsible, solution-providing partners in society. They do more than find, extract and process minerals essential to our modern lifestyle. These companies are operated by men and women who are members of society and community builders. They volunteer and donate and add great value to the quality of life in their communities and beyond.