Sudbury college, tech firm partnering on mine safety research

Sudbury-based tech firm Sofvie Inc. and Cambrian College are partnering on a research project that will use data analytics to enhance the health and safety of employees in the mining industry.

Three researchers from the college – John Moon, Jenna Guse, and Sydney Shapiro – will lead a team of 20 students who will spend the next eight months working with Sofvie Inc. on technology that can be used to predict and prevent workplace injuries. 

The research will be conducted at Cambrian's Technology Access Centre (TAC), called the Centre for Smart Mining, located in the applied research department. 

Mike Commito, Cambrian's director of applied research and innovation, said that the trend towards digitization is changing the way mining companies innovate. As the sector looks to become digital and data-driven, Cambrian is seeing a shift in its project demands. 

“We will always have a need for welding and machining expertise on projects, so that we can build things, but we are increasingly seeing companies in the mining sector look to the college for digital solutions,” Commito said in a Nov. 19 news release.  

“Data analytics is a growing field for us and you can see that with projects like the one with Sofvie, where students and faculty from our data analytics program are developing a data-driven solution for better health and safety.”

The partners are optimistic that upon completion of the project, the software will result in a reduction of workplace injuries. 

“At Sofvie, it is our passion to ensure that everyone has the ability to go home safely from work. A well-managed, safe workplace is not only what everyone wants, but is their right,” explained Sofvie's chief innovation officer, Gus Minor, in the release.

“We are here to transform data into wisdom. We will connect and inspire people to work safely. We will create the safe workplace everyone is entitled to.” 

Sofvie's EHS Platform will launch in the near future, according to their website.