The Canadian government will make a C$40-million investment in a C$112.4-million project by the Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation, supporting the creation of the Mining Innovation Commercialisation Accelerator (MICA) network.

MICA will bring together stakeholders from a wide range of fields to accelerate the development and commercialisation of innovative technologies to make the mining sector more productive and sustainable.

By accelerating the development and commercialisation of innovative autonomous and clean technologies in the mining sector, the initiative is expected to extend the operational lives of existing mines and reduce the time it takes to bring new mineral deposits into production.

"The commercialisation of innovations in the mining industry has never been more important than it is today. Supplying the demand for the minerals and metals needed to advance the green transition to a low-carbon economy is critical, but if mines are to produce more and do so faster, cheaper and more sustainably, implementing innovation is essential,” MICA president Douglas Morrison said on Tuesday.

Headquartered in Sudbury, Ontario, MICA will operate across Canada through the following main partners: the Bradshaw Research Initiative for Minerals and Mining, InnoTech Alberta, Saskatchewan Polytechnic, MaRS, Le Groupe MISA and the College of the North Atlantic.

MICA is expected to support the creation of 900 jobs and at least 12 new businesses; the commercialisation of at least 30 new products, services or processes; and the generation of interindustry spillover benefits by introducing innovative non-mining technologies to the mining sector and vice versa.

MICA will mobilise investments of at least C$100-million from the private sector and expand its membership to over 350 businesses and organisations across the country.

“Today's announcement will help bridge the innovation-to-commercialisation gap for the benefit of both Canadian mining companies and innovators by providing them with the tools, knowledge and expertise they need to meet the future demands for Canada's critical minerals,” said Innovation, Science and Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne.