Province grants Laurentian $630,000 to create an Industrial Research Chair position in bio-mining, bio-remediation and science communication
A new Laurentian University Industrial Research Chair position in bio-mining, bio-remediation and science communication has the potential to kickstart a new industry in Sudbury that could create hundreds, or even thousands of jobs, says the director of the Vale Living with Lakes Centre.
“It’s not an exaggeration to say there will be an entire industry built around this,” saidLaurentian professor John Gunn, who is also the Canada Research Chair for stressed aquatic systems. “The demands are so big.”
Sudbury MPP Glenn Thibeault announced Monday the province is investing more than $630,000 through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation to create the five-year research chair position at the university.
Gunn said they already have a candidate lined up for the position, and are expected to make that announcement, along with additional funding for research, in late May.
The new researcher would work with a team of graduate students to improve the use of bacteria for mine remediation. “When you crush ore into small enough particles there’s bacteria on all the surfaces,” said Gunn.
Some of those bacteria can liberate copper and nickel from the ore into a liquid form by breaking down the iron products in that ore, he said.
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