Key Takeaways:
- Canada’s Digital Technology Supercluster has launched the Earth X-ray for Low-Impact Mining project.
- The project also benefits from direct involvement and support from BHP, the world’s largest mining company.
This project will produce a Discovery Platform that will assist mining exploration companies in precisely targeting deposits under the Earth’s surface, changing the economics of discovery. Increasing the sustainable production of critical mineral resources required to fuel the clean energy transition.
The Earth X-ray for Low-Impact Mining project, directed by muon tomography pioneer Ideon Technologies and in collaboration with Simon Fraser University (SFU). Dias Geophysical, Microsoft, Fireweed Zinc, and Mitacs, will enable mining exploration companies to identify density and magnetic anomalies with more excellent resolution. Also certainty up to 1 kilometer beneath the Earth’s surface, much like X-rays and MRIs give us visibility inside the human body.
The Digital Technology Supercluster supports developing a first-of-its-kind, environmentally responsible mining technology that will position Canada. Canada as a world leader in responsible mining through this innovative project “Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne.
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To fuel the global transition to electrification, wind, solar, nuclear, and other clean-energy technologies. The production of many critical minerals and metals must nearly double over the next 20 to 30 years. Because most near-surface deposits have already been discovered, the mining industry is forced to search deeper underground in more difficult-to-reach locations. Traditional exploration methods entail extensive and environmentally damaging drilling that frequently yields no results at a high cost.
The Earth X-ray for Low-Impact Mining project has a complete investment of C$13,503,225, with industry investing C$7,923,711 and the Supercluster investing C$5,579,514 through the Digital Twins program. In addition, Mitacs, a national research organization that runs research also training programs in industrial and social innovation, is adding C$345,000 in net funding to help a team of SFU postdoctoral researchers.
“The Digital Supercluster is proud to be running with such an incredible group of Canadian companies that are demonstrating a true commitment to environmental sustainability,” said Sue Paish, CEO of the Digital Supercluster. “We are delighted to provide the digital innovation ecosystem that has brought together Ideon, SFU, Dias Geophysical, Microsoft, Fireweed Zinc, BHP, and Mitacs, allowing Canada to advance world-leading research and accelerate mining industry transformation.”
Source: PRNewswire
