Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, established a mining innovation and technology research initiative, which will synchronize and optimize research and innovation activities in all aspects of mining and mineral exploration.
The new initiative, Laurentian Mining Innovation and Technology (LMIT), will coordinate and promote all mining-related research conducted at Laurentian’s award-winning research centers, including the Mineral Exploration Research Centre (MERC), the Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health (CROSH), the Vale Living with Lakes Centre (VLWLC) and the Mining Innovation Rehabilitation and Applied Research Corp. (MIRARCO).
The university already ranks first in Canada in funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council for economic geology, applied geophysics and mining and mineral processing. A second prestigious Canada Research Chair was created in 2013 at VLWLC, while a Research Chair in Occupational Safety and Health was established at CROSH in 2015.
Laurentian University now offers a one-stop approach to its mining and mineral exploration research, which is unified under LMIT. This integration and synchronization will help to generate new opportunities for mining-related research, while coordinating the university’s relationships with external partners in mining research and innovation.
Vic Pakalnis, president and CEO of MIRARCO, has been appointed associate vice-president of LMIT. “We are sharpening our focus on mining research while solidifying Laurentian’s position as the pre-eminent mining research leader in Canada,” said Pakalnis.
The Hon. Reza Moridi, minister of research and innovation and minister of training, colleges and universities, applauded the initiative. “Our government supports and encourages innovative research collaborations at Ontario’s post-secondary institutions, and Laurentian University has demonstrated exemplary leadership in the creation of Laurentian Mining Innovation and Technology,” said Minister Moridi. “This initiative will drive research and innovation in the field of mineral development and mining and will help grow Ontario’s knowledge-based economy.”
“The outstanding talent and vision of Laurentian’s research teams and this strategically prioritized approach has positioned Laurentian as a global leader in mineral exploration and mining research and innovation. We are excited by the prospect of LMIT augmenting the excellence of our mining research,” said Dr. Rui Wang, vice-president of research at Laurentian University. “The establishment of LMIT will also allow Laurentian to more effectively work with our community and industry partners to align with the recently renewed Ontario Mineral Development Strategy (2015).”
