Recently, city council voted unanimously to invest $200,000 CAD per year for the next five years in the Center for Excellence in Mining (CEMI), for its commercialization attainment project (CAP).
By 2019, a total of $1 million will have been invested through the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation, the city’s economic development wing.
“The $1 million is part of the contribution of a number of projects that are contributing to the commercialization of various projects that’ll help the mining industry in Sudbury,” Mayor Brian Bigger said.
The commercialization initiative, part of a $47-million ultra-deep mining program projects breaking ground at least 2.5 km below the surface aims to research and innovate solutions, and to open markets for Sudbury-based small- and medium-sized businesses. According to a city press release, ultra-deep mining innovation “will lead the way in helping ultra-deep mines operate more effectively and safely, generate more value, improve the human environment and enhance mine productivity.”
The commercialization attainment project acts as a bridge between large enterprises and their smaller counterparts. Basically, it assists local firms in identifying opportunities and developing prototypes, and supports the costs associated with testing and evaluation.