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Advancements in technology used in mining and exploration are allowing companies to improve the bottom line and even revisit mine sites and properties that had previously been deemed unprofitable. And in order to move towards operating wit...
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Satellite Insights into Mining’s Ecological Impact
This article explores how satellite technology is revolutionizing environmental monitoring in mining operations. It discusses satellite imagery applications for tracking land degradation, water quality, deforestation, and air quality impacts from mining activities. The piece highlights technological innovations including AI and IoT that promise to enhance sustainable mining practices.
MCF Energy’s CEO James Hill on Fueling Europe’s Next Energy Renaissance
MCF Energy CEO James Hill discusses the Canadian company's strategy to help Europe achieve energy independence following the Russia-Ukraine war. The company has acquired German firm Genexco to establish local operations and is developing natural gas projects across Germany, Austria, and Czech Republic to reduce European dependence on Russian gas imports.
China Escalates Trade Tensions with Rare Mineral Export Ban
China has banned exports of gallium, germanium, antimony and other critical minerals to the United States, escalating trade tensions and creating supply chain disruption. This presents significant opportunities for Canada to develop its critical mineral resources and become an alternative supplier to global markets.
Alberta’s Nuclear Future
Energy Alberta has unveiled a proposal to build a large-scale nuclear power plant in Alberta's Peace Region featuring two Candu reactors with potential expansion to five units, generating up to 4,800 megawatts. The $35 billion project would be privately funded and could power nearly one-third of Alberta's homes while supporting the province's clean energy transition.
Don't call it a comeback
Sparwood, BC is undergoing a major transformation with Elk Valley Resources building a new 550-person central office and the community shifting from transient workforce housing to family-oriented developments. The town is positioning itself to become a hub for mining innovation and ancillary services by 2030.
NZTC Clean Energy Start-up Accelerator Opens Applications with £500K Grant Funding Available
The Net Zero Technology Centre has opened applications for its 2025 TechX Clean Energy Accelerator, offering £500K in total grant funding across 10 start-ups (up to £50K each). The program targets early-stage clean energy companies developing technologies in carbon capture, low carbon hydrogen, alternative fuels, and renewable energy, with applications closing October 27, 2024.
This Invermere, B.C. thought leader’s motto could be “bringing power to the people”
Eden Yesh, a thought leader from Invermere, B.C., advocates for decentralizing power through community investment cooperatives and local power generation. The focus is on creating community-controlled economic destinies and energy independence.
The Association of Mineral Exploration leads through change
The Association for Mineral Exploration held its first-ever virtual Mineral Exploration Roundup conference with 32,000 booth visits and 15,000 unique views from 20 countries. The event focused on industry transformation through ESG initiatives, diversity and inclusion, and improving mining's public image, while addressing challenges of an aging workforce and increasing demand for critical minerals.
New tech aims to extract lithium from oilfield waste
Summit Nanotech is developing nanotechnology to extract lithium from oilfield brine waste in Alberta, with testing planned by end of year. The company aims to leverage existing oil and gas infrastructure to produce lithium for the growing electric vehicle battery market, with Alberta containing an estimated 3.6 million tonnes of lithium resources.
How a small family business became a successful manufacturer within the mining industry
Ralph's Radio Ltd., a Vancouver-based family business operating since 1949, has successfully diversified into manufacturing heavy equipment ID signs for the mining industry. The company has sold over 1,400 signs since 2006 with zero warranty issues, supplying major companies like Finning Canada, Suncor, and various mining operations across North America.
Mineral Insights sheds light on exploration
Gold Sniffer Inc. has developed Mineral Insights, a handheld device that can detect micron-sized particles of gold, copper, lithium and other minerals using visible light signatures. The device provides results in just 60 seconds, potentially accelerating field exploration and improving recovery rates for mining operations.
Winning designs for Energy Generating Public Artwork announced at the 24th World Energy Congress
The Land Art Generator Initiative and Masdar announced winners of an international design competition at the 24th World Energy Congress in Abu Dhabi, challenging teams to create large-scale public artworks that generate clean energy. The winning design, Starlit Stratus, would produce 2,484 MWh of clean energy annually for Masdar City's grid using solar technology.
Future of Mining Americas returns to Denver with a focus on digitization, innovation and the future
The Future of Mining Americas conference returns to Denver October 21-22, 2020, focusing on digitization, innovation and sustainability across the mining lifecycle. Over 250 industry professionals are expected to attend sessions covering technology integration, community relations, and talent development challenges.
VRIFY Deal Room “Like a Dating App for Miners”
VRIFY Technology Inc. has developed Deal Room, a cloud-based 3D presentation platform that enables mining companies to showcase assets to potential investors and partners through virtual tours. Kirkland Lake Gold has been using the platform since June 2019 to attract and assess new investment opportunities.
Newest diamonds for industry
Sandvik Additive Manufacturing of Sweden has developed a breakthrough 3-D printing process for synthetic diamond composites, overcoming the traditional limitation of diamond's extreme hardness making it difficult to machine. The composite retains diamond's key properties while being printable into complex shapes using stereolithography, opening new industrial applications in tooling, medical implants, and space programs.
Fibre optics grows beyond telecom
Calgary-based Hifi Engineering has developed High-fidelity Dynamic Sensing (HDS) technology that uses fibre optic cables to continuously monitor pipelines and tailings dams for leaks, temperature changes, and structural issues. The company is expanding from oil and gas applications into mining sector tailings dam monitoring, with version two of their patented software in final development stages.
TNDC to provide fibre optic communication to Iskut and Dease Lake in northwest British Columbia
Tahltan Nation Development Corporation received $13 million in federal and provincial funding to bring fibre optic communications to Iskut and Dease Lake communities in northwest BC over two years. The project leverages existing BC Hydro transmission infrastructure and will improve access to health, education, and economic opportunities in the resource-rich Tahltan Territory.
Grimaldi Group completes installation of Corvus Energy ‘mega batteries’ in groundbreaking retrofit
Corvus Energy has completed installation of 5.5 MWh battery energy storage systems on two Grimaldi Group cruise ferries, enabling zero-emission operation during port stays. This represents the first retrofit of such massive battery systems on cruise ferry vessels.
Kootenay-based technology could expand clean vehicle range
Eagle Graphite received $290,000 from the BC government's Advanced Research and Commercialization Program to develop silicon/graphite battery anodes at its Passmore quarry. The project aims to establish BC as a global leader in anode production for clean energy vehicles while creating jobs in the Kootenays region.
Mining is a high-tech industry
The Mining Association of British Columbia highlighted the province's mining sector during Mining Month, emphasizing its high-tech transformation and economic impact. The industry employs over 30,000 British Columbians with average annual pay exceeding $115,000, while utilizing advanced technologies like autonomous vehicles, AI, and drone technology. The Kootenays region alone hosts 60 companies providing $270 million in goods and services to 13 major mines.
Corvus Energy launches groundbreaking new battery with unlimited capacity for Cruise, other vessels
Corvus Energy launched the Corvus Blue Whale energy storage system, specifically designed for cruise ships and large passenger vessels with very high energy demand. The new battery system offers 50% volume reduction and 30% weight reduction per kWh compared to previous technology, with unlimited capacity scaling for multi-megawatt hour installations.
Powering the future
The Coal Association of Canada announced its first scholarship/internship program offering $5,000 and a paid summer internship to encourage university students to pursue careers in coal mining. The association is also presenting awards recognizing industry contributions and community impact at their October 2019 Vancouver conference.
Chile’s innovative Floating PV Project on AngloAmerican’s tailings pond
AngloAmerican has inaugurated Chile's first floating solar farm on a tailings pond at their Los Bronces mine north of Santiago. The 84 kWp pilot project, developed by Lenergie using Ciel & Terre's Hydrelio technology, will generate 153 MWh annually while reducing evaporation. This pioneering installation opens opportunities for similar projects across Chile's 740 tailings ponds.
Harbour Air and magniX partner to build world’s first all-electric airline
magniX and Harbour Air announced a partnership to convert Harbour Air's seaplane fleet to all-electric propulsion using magniX's 750 HP electric motors. The companies plan to conduct first flight tests in late 2019, aiming to create the world's first all-electric commercial airline.