The International Minerals Innovation Institute (IMII) has been holding its DEMOday pitch event for innovations of use in Saskatchewan’s minerals industry since 2018. New this year – IMII’s minerals industry members, BHP, Cameco, Mosaic and Nutrien, submitted 18 technology needs that could be met by suppliers, inventors, start-ups, and other innovators either through the development or demonstration of a new, innovative technology. This resulted in a record number of applications (32) and a record number of innovation pitches (11).
“Innovation is central to the sustainability of the minerals industry,” says Al Shpyth, IMII’s executive director. “Our members are purposely making greater use of new technology, or deploying existing technologies in new ways, to bring about improvements in environmental performance, energy consumption, safety and productivity.”
Innovators that pitched to IMII’s minerals company members today include:
- Teal Electrification Systems – Home – TEAL (tealev.com)
- Solar Steam – Lowest Cost Renewable Heat – SolarSteam
- 2S Water – Home – 2S Water
- MMKL – MMKLGroup
- InnoTech – InnoTech Alberta | Solving Real Industry Challenges
- GFL Environmental – GFL Environmental Inc. – Waste Management & Infrastructure Services
- Dyna Industrial – Dynaindustrial- An Engineering and custom design Manufacturing
- CMI – Continental Mine & Industrial Supply Ltd.Saskatoon (cmisk.ca)
- iRing Inc. – iRing – Creators of Aegis, an underground drill & blast planning software that helps a mine improve its effectiveness and efficiency
- Muon Vision – Home Page – Muon Vision
“Many of the pitches are associated with new instruments or sensors that could support the ongoing digital transformation of the minerals industry – a key sector of Saskatchewan’s economy,” added Shpyth. “The minerals industry has a legacy of innovation in the province that has made it what it is today, and DEMOday helps champion further investing in innovation and the benefits that arise.”
Innovations selected for further development, demonstration or deployment will be eligible to receive up to $250,000 in funding from IMII and the opportunity to partner with one or more of IMII’s minerals company members in a collaborative technology project to demonstrate or trial their solution in a supportive mining environment.
All participants in DEMOday 2022 will be considered for IMII’s Innovation Award, with the winner being announced in association with the Saskatchewan Mining Supply Chain Forum in June.
