The International Minerals Innovation Institute (IMII) and Saskatchewan Industrial and Mining Suppliers Association (SIMSA) were pleased to co-host a DEMOday 2024 Launch event on January 18, 2024, the first of three days centred on innovation in mining.
A mining hackathon followed on January 19th and 20th for the students of the University of Saskatchewan in collaboration with the Tech Innovation and SIGMA program at College of Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan.
The IMII released a list of 42 innovation needs on behalf of its minerals member companies – BHP, Cameco, Fission Uranium, Mosaic and Nutrien, and a total of 70 persons from innovative suppliers and mining companies were in attendance for the DEMOday launch. The launch event facilitated many great discussions between suppliers and industry and was seen as a big success this year by mineral company attendees.
In an affiliated event, a total of 50 people persons from Nutrien, SIMSA members, University of Saskatchewan Students and faculty attended the Hackathon the day after DEMOday.
The Hackathon is an event where students brainstorm solutions to the same 42 industry’s needs and present their solutions to a panel of judges.
For over 24 hours students worked in 9-groups of 3-5 students, to “hack” or propose solutions to the list of the 42 Innovation Industry needs that the IMII released as a part of DEMOday. Students ranged from Grade 10, all the way to doctoral candidates.
SIMSA’s Industrial Concierge James Bulmer stated, “We are very proud and appreciative of the 9 groups of students, ranging from grade 10 to doctoral candidates, as well as faculty and industry who attended the Hackathon. Everyone came together to create an amazing event that both promoted innovation and the mining industry, that produced high quality ideas and presentations.”
“I and my industry colleagues were impressed with the ideas and concepts the students developed in a very short time,” said IMII’s Executive Director Al Shpyth. “Both innovation and hackathons build on problem-solving, and Saskatchewan’s minerals industry is open to potential new solutions from bright and talented young people.”
Hackathon Speakers:
Event Video Link