Success Stories

Digging Smarter: Ontario Becoming a World Leader in Mining Technology

Anyone who thinks mining is about picks and shovels, should think again, says Dr. Peter Kaiser.

“Mining is a high-tech industry with sophisticated exploration technologies, automated equipment and advanced modeling and simulation technology,” says Dr. Kaiser. “And it’s worth between $6 and $8 billion a year to the Ontario economy.”

Dr. Kaiser knows what he’s talking about. The professor of mining engineering at Laurentian University and Ontario Research Chair in Rock Mechanics and Ground Control has been involved in the industry for more than 20 years.

“A hundred years ago mining was conducted near the surface,” he explains. “Today, in order to get to rich deposits, we’re mining at more than 2,000 metres below the surface and the goal is to get down to 3,000 metres within the next decade.”

The challenges of getting minerals out safely and economically – and doing it in an environmentally responsible manner – are daunting at those depths.  They require innovative new technologies.

That’s why Laurentian University, already a leader in mining research and development, is launching an ambitious new research project in partnership with the Mining Innovation, Rehabilitation and Applied Research Corporation (MIRARCO), a number of universities in Ontario, China and Australia and a number of industry partners here and abroad. The $25 million Productivity Enhancement and Risk Management (PERM) for Underground Construction and Mining project is supported by an $8 million grant from the McGuinty government’s Ontario Research Fund, a program of the Ministry of Research and Innovation.

“Mining isn’t visible in the way that the automotive or life sciences industries are,” says Dr. Kaiser. “It takes place underground and in the north but it’s a huge contributor to the Ontario economy, both in terms of export and supply to our own advanced manufacturing industry.”

“It’s also a sector where we have the potential to remain a real world leader.”

Michael Winship, vice president of mining for CVRD Inco, a partner in the project, agrees. CVRD Inco is among the top three mining companies in the world.

“PERM is addressing the key challenges we face in staying competitive,” says Mr. Winship. “The technology that’s developed here will allow Ontario to retain its worldwide leadership in mining expertise.”

In addition to tackling the issues of increasing productivity while reducing worker and investor risk, issues that are inherent in mining at greater depths, PERM will also help northern Ontario and Laurentian. The knowledge gained will expand Laurentian’s mining research expertise and position Ontario as a supplier of advanced technologies and services in the global mining industry.

There will also be important technology spin-offs for the underground construction industry.

“The civil underground construction industry faces many of the same challenges relating to production and risk management as mining does,” says Dr. Kaiser. “The insights we gain and the technology we create will be very helpful to the civil excavation industry, particularly in the development of deep repositories for nuclear waste and safer and more effective tunnelling in urban areas.”