TORONTO (miningweekly.com) – The federal government of Canada and the government of Ontario will each provide C$5,5-million in funding for a new Innovation Centre for the Canadian Mining Industry, to be build at the St George campus of the University of Toronto.

The project will also receive private donations worth C$9-million and is expected to create 200 jobs, the university said on Monday.

The centre is envisioned as a research hub for University of Toronto researchers, undergraduate and graduate students from the university's Mineral and Civil Engineering programmes.

“This is an exciting collaboration where the best minds and the leaders in the Canadian mining industry can join forces to promote innovation and sustainability,” said University of Toronto president David Naylor.

The centre will house research space for 27 graduate students and post-doctoral researchers, and will feature a laboratory for visualisation and data analysis, an interdisciplinary design studio for 100 undergraduate and graduate students, a seminar room, studio space for multi-disciplinary project-based research and learning, and a full range of green building features, including roof-top photovoltaic cells, energy-efficient lighting, water conservation, grey water capture and recycling measures.

"The mining sector remains a vital component of Canada's natural resource strength as it evolves with global economic shifts and environmental innovations," said Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering dean Cristina Amon.

Innovation in mining has been identified as a key area where the government can help support the industry, Natural Resources Minister Lisa Raitt told delegates earlier this month at the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum.

She announced at the time that the government would provide C$250 000 this year to help set up a new Canada Mining Innovation Council, and also announced the formation of a Canadian Green Mining Initiative.

The private sector will contribute a further C$100 000 to the innovation council.

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