Twenty innovative companies developing new technologies for the mining industry are sharing in $4.6 million in development funds from Sudbury's Mining Innovation Commercialization Accelerator (MICA).
This marks the fourth cohort of funding from the pan-Canadian initiative that includes mining companies, industrial suppliers, academic organizations and researchers, and innovators.
Its goal is to speed up commercialization of technologies in five key areas: increasing mine production capacity at lower costs; reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions; implementing smart, autonomous mining systems; reducing environmental risks and liabilities; and advancing enabling technologies, critical minerals, circularity, and ESG (environment, social and governance).
“Today’s announcement reinforces our vision of MICA as Canada’s national network for mining innovation led by SMEs (small and medium enterprises),” Chamirai Charles Nyabeze, MICA’s director, said in a news release.
“We are proud of our pan-Canadian reach and of the groundbreaking technologies our members are advancing from coast to coast to coast. Supporting SMEs is not only vital for our economy— it is essential for accelerating the energy transition globally.
“Many of these companies already have the solutions needed to transform the mining sector; what they need is the right investment and market access. Through MICA, we’re bridging that gap—connecting innovators with opportunity, and helping bring impactful technologies to market.”
The list of recipients includes three companies with a Northern Ontario presence, including Kovatera, which received $315,000; Railveyor Technologies Global Inc., which received $200,000; and LoopX, which received $210,000.
Additional companies and their grant amounts include:
- Lumidas Inc. (AB): $83,600
- Innovation Mining (BC): $100,000
- Exergy Solutions Inc. (AB): $160,000
- Nord Precious Metals and Mining Inc. (BC): $200,000
- ReThink Milling Inc. (QC): $375,000
- nPhyla Technologies Inc. (BC): $160,000
- MineSense Technologies Ltd. (QC): $169,057
- Destiny Copper Inc. (ON): $250,000
- Rockburst Technologies Inc. (BC): $250,000
- Fex Energy (QC): $475,000
- 2S Water Inc. (AB): $150,000
- H2nanO Inc. (ON) $210,000
- Arca Climate Technologies Inc. (BC): $315,000
- Grounded AI (BC): $210,000
- KPI Mining Solutions (QC): $265,000
- Rithmik Solutions Ltd. (QC) $265,000
- KorrAI Technologies Ltd. (NS): $265,000
Since launching in 2021, MICA has leveraged more than $280 million for technology development in the mining industry.
The organization is led by the Centre of Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI), which is based in Sudbury.
