Starting Monday, Feb. 7, the Mining Innovation Commercialization Accelerator (MICA) Network will be accepting proposals from innovators for how to modernize the Canadian mining sector.
MICA, a Sudbury-based, pan-Canadian research and innovation network, has $30 million at its disposal to kickstart ideas that will improve the industry’s productivity and environmental performance, strengthen the Canadian mineral supply chain, and increase the domestic and export sales of Canadian innovators.
"We are excited to grow our portfolio of projects under the MICA program and welcome new network members,” said Douglas Morrison, MICA’s director, in a Feb. 4 news release.
"This program provides us with an opportunity to connect with new partners across Canada that can provide innovative clean solutions to solve mining challenges."
The program is looking for solutions that address four sector priorities:
- increase mine production capacity, at lower cost;
- reduce mining energy consumption and greenhouse house gas emissions;
- implement smart, autonomous mining systems;
- and reduce environmental risk and long-term liabilities of mining.
MICA will fund up to 33 per cent of project costs, and it’s expected successful applicants will involve at least one small or medium enterprise (SME). Projects are to be completed within four years.
The deadline to submit an application is March 7.
MICA was launched last November by the Centre for Excellence for Mining Innovation (CEMI) in Sudbury. Members include SMEs, mining companies, academic and research institutions, and innovation centres from across the country.
