The Sudbury Star is the City of Greater Sudbury’s daily newspaper.
Sudbury’s Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation is getting a big boost. City council voted unanimously on Tuesday to invest $200,000 per year for the next five years in CEMI, for its commercialization attainment project (CAP).
By 2019, a total of $1 million will have been invested through the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation, the city’s economic development wing.
“The $1 million is part of the contribution of a number of projects that are contributing to the commercialization of various projects that’ll help the mining industry in Sudbury,” Mayor Brian Bigger said after Tuesday’s meeting.
The commercialization initiative, part of a $47-million ultra-deep mining program — projects breaking ground at least 2.5 km below the surface — aims to research and innovate solutions, and to open markets for Sudbury-based small- and medium-sized businesses.
According to a city press release, ultra-deep mining innovation “will lead the way in helping ultra-deep mines operate more effectively and safely, generate more value, improve the human environment and enhance mine productivity.”
The commercialization attainment project acts as a bridge between large enterprises and their smaller counterparts. Basically, it assists local firms in identifying opportunities and developing prototypes, and supports the costs associated with testing and evaluation.
“Ultra-deep mining is of great interest to Sudbury residents, and it’s a very good way to get at the mineral resources within our basin, so this will help local businesses in advancing products and technologies in mining, through the research and work being done at CEMI,” Bigger said.
He attended the annual Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada conference in early March in Toronto. Bigger said Tuesday ultra-deep mining is the way of the future — good news for the nickel city, which specializes in the practice.
“We’re recognized internationally for our mining expertise. With the large group of mining supply and service organizations, and the large amount of research that’s being within our city boundaries, CEMI has been able to attract more than $40 million in investment,” Bigger said.
CEMI conducts applied and academic research in the areas of mining, exploration, mining engineering and environmental sustainability as it relates to mineral-based industry.
For the original source of this article, click here: http://www.thesudburystar.com/2015/04/15/city-backs-deep-mining-project