A mining industry supercluster proposed by the Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI) and the Canadian Mining Innovation Council (CMIC) has been shortlisted for a massive infusion of R&D dollars by the federal government’s Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology.
The CLEER supercluster is one of nine applications shortlisted, only five of which are expected to be approved. CLEER, which stands for Clean, Low Energy, Effective, Engaged and Remediated, proposes to focus on water use, energy intensity and environmental footprint with the objective of a 50 per cent reduction in each area by 2027.
The application process for the Liberal government’s Innovation Supercluster Initiative kicked off earlier this year with over 1,000 proposals from companies, business associations and research institutions. The nine shortlisted proposals were gleaned from over 50 finalists.
The CLEER supercluster would bring together mining supply and service companies and major mining companies to accelerate innovation, stimulate investment, improve productivity and create jobs.
The government budgeted $950 million over five years beginning in 2017-2018 to support superclusters with the greatest potential to accelerate economic growth.
CLEER’s ask in the first round of applications was $185 million.
The proposed supercluster would be an industry-led, multi-stakeholder consortium comprised of four existing clusters, and include eight resource companies, 42 SMEs and 25 other organizations from across Canada that together have pledged $376 million in cash and in-kind contributions.
“The CLEER supercluster has the potential to become Canada’s largest investment in advancing a clean mineral and metal resource extraction industry,” commented Bora Ugurgel, COO, of CEMI. “The global transition into a low carbon economy will require a more technologically advanced mining industry. CLEER offers the opportunity to engage mine operators, supply and service companies and other stakeholders in the development, demonstration and adoption of leading clean innovations.”
CLEER is up against an ocean industry supercluster proposal from Atlantic Canada, a Quebec-based group focusing on artificial intelligence, and proposed applications focusing on advanced manufacturing, protein innovation, agrifood, infrastructure design and digital technology.
The successful applicants are expected to be announced in 2018.
Source : www.sudburyminingsolutions.com