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Technology.
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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SunMine engineer thinks the future looks bright—and green
Michel de Spot, CEO of Ecosmart Foundation, received the National Award for an Engineering Project from Engineers Canada for his role as principal engineer of the SunMine, a 1.05-megawatt solar installation in Kimberley, B.C. The $5.4 million project, done in partnership with Teck Resources and the City of Kimberley, is the largest solar project in British Columbia and the first to sell power to BC Hydro.
SunMine wins National Engineering Project Award
Kimberley's SunMine solar facility won the National Award for an Engineering Project or Achievement from Engineers Canada. The project is BC's first grid-connected solar facility built on a reclaimed mine site, featuring 4,032 solar modules on 96 sun-tracking systems that generate 40% more energy than fixed installations.
New Edmonton biorefinery turns vegetable oils into renewable fuels
SBI BioEnergy Inc. has opened a $20 million biorefinery in Edmonton that converts canola oil and animal fats into renewable diesel and jet fuels. The 35,000-square-foot facility uses proprietary PICFTR technology and plans to produce 10 million litres of renewable fuel annually by Q1 2017.
Emerging trends in the mining industry
Deloitte and ICMM report on 2016 mining industry trends highlighting the shift from underground to open-pit mining, integration of renewable energy technologies, and vertical integration into downstream processing. Companies are achieving 10-40% energy savings through renewable installations and automation.
Caterpillar introduces “The Age of Smart Iron” digital technology
Caterpillar CEO Doug Oberhelman unveiled 'The Age of Smart Iron' digital technology strategy at bauma 2016, showcasing Cat Connect Technology solutions including LINK, GRADE, COMPACT, and PAYLOAD systems. The company has 400,000 connected assets and aims to create a unified data platform across all equipment and devices to improve customer productivity, safety and profitability.
Polaris Rampage helps Canada assert its northern sovereignty
Polaris has deployed its new amphibious all-terrain vehicle prototype called the Rampage in support of the Canadian Armed Forces' annual Operation Nunalivut sovereignty exercise in Canada's North. The operation demonstrates Canada's ability to operate in harsh Arctic conditions while asserting sovereignty over northern regions rich in fossil fuels, gold, and diamonds.
SGS Geostat wins Integra Gold Corp’s Gold Rush Challenge
SGS Geostat won Integra Gold Corp's Gold Rush Challenge, earning $500,000 for developing an innovative exploration proposal that combined traditional geological methods with machine learning and virtual reality. The team analyzed 26 gigabytes of historical data from the Sigma and Lamaque mines in Val-d'Or, Quebec, beating out 100 submissions from over 80 countries.
Tree-top sampling program may help uncover new mineral deposits in B.C.
Geoscience BC completed an innovative helicopter-supported tree-top sampling program, collecting 421 samples from spruce trees across 1,000 square kilometres in central B.C.'s Chilcotin Plateau. The pilot program tested whether trace metals in trees could help identify new mineral deposits in areas that are difficult to access using traditional sampling methods.
Canadian companies poised to benefit from lithium surge?
Several Canadian lithium companies are positioned to benefit from Tesla's Model 3 unveiling, which generated 276,000 pre-orders and highlighted growing electric vehicle demand. Vancouver-based juniors like Lithium X, Pure Energy Minerals, and Nemaska Lithium are among those riding the lithium wave, with Lithium Americas announcing a $25M joint venture with Chile's SQM.
Government charging up electric vehicles
The Province of British Columbia announced $965,000 in funding to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure, including $688,500 for residential building chargers and $276,500 to upgrade public fast charging stations. The investment is part of the broader Clean Energy Vehicle Program which has committed over $31 million since 2011 to encourage EV adoption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
KPU students get new trades training equipment
The British Columbia government announced $265,250 in funding for Kwantlen Polytechnic University to purchase new trades training equipment including cutting mills and programmable logic controllers. This supports preparation for projected demand of 5,400 electricians and 3,400 millwrights over the next decade in the province.
Worker fatigue a danger in mineral exploration
AME BC highlighted worker fatigue as a serious safety concern in mineral exploration, particularly at remote work sites. Fatigue Science CEO Sean Kerklaan presented technology to measure and manage worker fatigue, noting that 60-65% of mining truck accidents are fatigue-related.
Soft mining market hasn’t softened acQuire’s commitment to its customers
acQuire Technology Solutions is maintaining its R&D investment and workforce despite challenging mining market conditions, investing 25% of profits in development while serving 450 mines globally with its GIM Suite software. The company is adapting its business model with subscription pricing and online training to make its geoscientific data management solutions more accessible to smaller mining companies.
CoalTech turns coal mine waste into savings with newly launched coal pellets
CoalTech has successfully launched coal pellets made from coal mine waste (coal fines) that can be used by power plants to generate electricity. The technology addresses the disposal challenge of 30 billion metric tons of hazardous coal fines globally while increasing mine performance by 20%.
Tesla co-founder and CTO JB Straubel to share his energy vision with innovators at Discovery 2016
Tesla co-founder and CTO JB Straubel will keynote Ontario Centres of Excellence's Discovery 2016 conference on May 9-10 in Toronto, discussing energy innovation and clean technology business opportunities. The event coincides with OCE's new $74 million Cleantech Innovation Initiative on behalf of the Ontario government.
SMS launches new “Advanced Technologies” identity
SMS Equipment Inc. has launched a new 'Advanced Technologies' umbrella brand to consolidate all their technology offerings across industries. The rebrand will integrate telematics, intelligent machine control, and autonomous haulage systems under one identity, with plans for a dedicated training center.
GFS Corp names Wajax and Cullen Diesel Power as new Canadian Distributors
GFS Corp has appointed Wajax and Cullen Diesel Power as Canadian distributors for its EVO-MT natural gas conversion systems for mining haul trucks. The announcement comes as Teck Resources begins a pilot program testing LNG fuel in Komatsu haul trucks at its Fording River coal operation, with approximately 300,000 operating hours already accumulated across converted fleets.
Terrestrial Energy announces completion of CAD$10 million Series A funding
Terrestrial Energy, a Canadian advanced nuclear technology company, has completed a CAD$10 million Series A funding round to advance its Integral Molten Salt Reactor (IMSR) technology. The funds will support pre-construction engineering, pre-licensing work, and regulatory engagement as the company moves toward commercializing its next-generation nuclear reactor technology in the 2020s.
PT Freeport Indonesia invests in largest operator training simulator deal of 2015
PT Freeport Indonesia has made the largest operator training simulator investment of 2015, expanding their training program with underground equipment simulators from Immersive Technologies. The investment covers light vehicles, underground LHDs, trucks, jumbo drills, locomotives and Cat Command systems to improve operator safety and skills as their underground operations at the world-class Grasberg copper-gold deposit expand.
Boart Longyear launches MDR700, the next generation underground coring rig with advanced mobility
Boart Longyear launched the MDR700, a next-generation underground coring rig featuring advanced mobility with a Manitou four-wheel drive carrier. The rig demonstrates 80% faster movement between holes compared to regular underground exploration rigs and offers 270-degree drilling angles with enhanced safety controls.
Nelson’s innovative Community Solar Garden set to shine
Nelson Hydro announced Canada's first community solar project where customers can purchase solar panels and receive credits on their electricity bills. The 50kW+ solar array will be located at the Bonnington Generation Station and requires presale of 150 panels to proceed in Spring 2016.
Nemaska Lithium poised to become major player in global market
Nemaska Lithium announced an agreement with the City of Shawinigan to purchase land for a $38 million demonstration hydromet plant, leading to a $500 million commercial facility. This development would make Nemaska Canada's first lithium producer, using a proprietary electrochemical process that reduces costs and environmental impact.
Steel cutting marks start of physical construction of Nautilus’ production support vessel
Nautilus Minerals commenced steel cutting for its production support vessel at Fujian Mawei Shipbuilding in China, marking the start of physical construction for the world's first commercial seafloor copper-gold mining operation. The vessel will support operations at the Solwara 1 Project in Papua New Guinea's Bismarck Sea, with delivery expected in December 2017 and seafloor operations planned to begin in Q1 2018.
Inuktun Services provides pipe inspection systems for energy companies
Inuktun Services Ltd, a Nanaimo-based robotics company, manufactures specialized pipe inspection systems used by major energy companies worldwide. The company is expanding with a new U.S. subsidiary in Houston and has achieved 100% reliability inspecting the Escondida mine's 170-kilometre copper concentrate pipeline since 2010.
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Better Bathymetry - We Can’t Be Beached!
Amphibious and remotely operated, HELIX rovers capture high-resolution bathymetry data where traditional survey methods fail—shorelines, tailings ponds, and hard-to-reach waters.
Explore Better BathymetrySponsored by Copperstone Tech