The Mining Innovation Commercialization Accelerator (MICA) has appointed Chamirai (Charles) Nyabeze as its new director.
MICA is a pan-Canadian network of organizations dedicated to innovating new technologies for the mining sector. Based in Sudbury, MICA is an offshoot of the Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI).
Nyabeze is a cofounder of MICA, and has spent 11 years in various roles at CEMI, most recently as vice-president of business development and commercialization.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in mining engineering and a master’s degree in business administration (MBA).
In a news release, MICA said Nyabeze has been “instrumental in driving long-term value for CEMI and its clients.”
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Cited for his “unwavering passion, enthusiasm, and dedication to fostering mutually beneficial relationships,” Nyabeze is said to bring a number of assets to MICA, including an “extensive network, profound knowledge of the global mining ecosystem, exceptional networking skills, and keen understanding of innovation trends.”
“As a cofounder of MICA, Chamirai has been entrusted with the responsibility of managing the MICA team, overseeing network operations, government relations, brand management, network national and international growth, network performance, and revenue generation,” the organization said in the release.
“Additionally, Chamirai will continue leading CEMI's commercialization and business development initiatives as the vice-president of business development.”
Nyabeze will take over the role of director from Douglas Morrison, CEMI’s president and CEO, who will continue as a mining advisor to the MICA network.
Since launching in 2021, MICA has awarded two rounds of funding to innovators, first in 2022 and more recently this past June.
Among the recipients are Sudbury’s Symboticware, which received $1 million for its AI-powered communications solution, and MIRARCO, also of Sudbury, which received $280,027 toward its work on bioleaching.
