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Sudbury innovation centre will host tech exhibition in 2022

Mining Transformed will include four days of demos, talks Sept. 26-29
norcat_underground
NORCAT Underground Centre in Onaping, north of Sudbury

A Sudbury innovation centre will host a four-day exhibition of new underground mining technology next year.

Mining Transformed, which will take place at the NORCAT Underground Centre Sept. 26-29, 2022, is described as the “world’s first technology exhibition in an underground operating mine.”

Over four days, visitors from around the world will take in product demonstrations, talks and panel discussions, along with networking opportunities with angel investors and private equity and venture capital firms.

"NORCAT is thrilled to host the world's very first technology exhibition in an underground operating mine,” NORCAT CEO Don Duval said in a Sept. 13 news release.

“Our investments in the Underground Centre have proudly created a unique operating mine that enables companies from around the world to develop, test, and demonstrate emerging technologies creating a vibrant ‘active laboratory’ to see and touch the future of the industry

"We are excited to welcome partners, tech exhibitors, mining executives, and visitors from around the world next year."

Located in Onaping, just north of Sudbury, the NORCAT Underground Centre officially opened for business in early January.

The $4.5-million, 12,000-square-foot surface facility has been built at the site of an underground mine formerly owned by Falconbridge, where NORCAT clients can develop and test new mining technologies before they move forward to commercialization.

A number of clients maintain offices at the site, and meeting rooms are available for partners to conduct business.

On average, the Underground Centre hosts an estimated 40 technology projects a year and 50 global mining delegations touring the complex.

In addition to the Underground Centre in Onaping, NORCAT hosts sites in Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Timmins, the GTA, and Santiago, Chile.