At IMII, we believe that innovation in the minerals industry is more than just a process – it’s a dynamic, collaborative ecosystem of researchers, stakeholders, experts, educators, and professionals, each bringing their unique skills and experiences to the table to drive progress.
Saskatchewan’s minerals industry is uniquely qualified to be a leader in innovative developments. We are home to crucial mineral resources, globally significant mining companies, and exceptional educational institutions.
IMII is proud to play a vital role in this industry, connecting the pieces to create a sustainable, respected, competitive, and safe industry.
At IMII, we think of an innovation hub as a collaborative ecosystem that connects different stakeholders to foster the development and application of new technologies. This is especially important in the minerals sector, where technological advancements can improve efficiency, lower costs, and improve safety standards.
Our priorities reflect the priorities of our members and take local and global needs into account. Innovation is the key to making these a reality.
IMII sees the immense potential of the Saskatchewan minerals industry when it operates as an innovation hub, connecting the right people to the right projects. From research and development to technology demonstration and commercialization, IMII brings innovation-focused people together.
As a connecting source, we can catalyze innovation, introducing cutting-edge technologies and ideas to organizations that can take it to the next level.
At IMII, we’ve seen firsthand how powerful collaboration can be. When minerals companies, academic institutions, and other industry experts come together, incredible things happen. We see the distinct value in creating opportunities for diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds to collaborate.
IMII provides opportunities for collaboration-driven technological advancement through a number of initiatives, including:
We’re proud to be at the forefront of connecting tech innovators with Saskatchewan’s minerals industry, bringing new possibilities and game-changing ideas to the heart of our operations. This is why we prioritize events that invite teams to pitch their unique technology or product to Saskatchewan minerals industry companies.
DEMOday, introduced in partnership with the Saskatchewan Industrial and Mining Suppliers Association (SIMSA) in 2018. DEMOday invites innovators of all kinds to pitch their product, technology, or process that solves a minerals industry problem. Since 2018, we have been proud to provide the opportunity for teams to showcase their exceptional ideas to our minerals company members.
The Innovation Award is our way of celebrating the brilliant minds driving change in our industry. We love seeing these incredible companies take their innovations from concept to reality. Divided into two awards in 2024 — Most Actionable and Most Novel —a winning team is selected from DEMOday applications. Past winners:
The technological innovations highlighted in IMII’s Innovation Awards all have the potential to play a crucial role in advancing the mining industry by improving safety, efficiency, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness. For example, the Hardrock Gopher prototype helped to launch a series of Rokion battery-powered mining trucks which enhance underground mining safety, while the DC-54-UG dust collection system is expected to improve air quality and product recovery. The SafeBox system has demonstrated the ability to ensure electrical safety during maintenance, and the Aquavalid Sensor can help operations manage water quality for better environmental compliance. Extract Energy’s heat engine has the potential to convert waste heat into usable energy, reducing energy consumption and emissions, and Polycontrols’ cold spray technology offers the opportunity for faster, more efficient equipment repairs. MetaSpectral’s ore evaluation system can use AI to improve resource estimation and optimize extraction processes. These innovations open the door to drive both environmental and economic benefits, and positioning Saskatchewan as a leader in mining technology.
We’re excited about the future of Saskatchewan. We know that with the right innovations, our province can not only stay competitive but also lead the world in the adoption of mining technology. It’s a journey we’re eager to take, and we’re glad to have such an incredible team alongside us.
How? By investing in innovations that prioritize sustainability, digitization, and the integration of emerging technologies. This includes robotics, automation, artificial intelligence, machine learning, remote operations, and more!
There are many projects and advancements to be excited about in minerals companies and educational institutions across the province.
Through events, conversations, partnerships, presentations and more, we drive the Saskatchewan minerals industry to connect around one common goal: innovation. We’d love to hear from you. Whether you want to partner with us, become a member, or simply learn more about how we’re driving innovation, don’t hesitate to reach out. Together, we can create something extraordinary. Reach out today.
IMII’s office is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. Treaty 6 encompasses the lands of the Cree, Dakota, Nakota, Saulteaux (SO-TOE) and the Homeland of the Métis Nation. We pay our respect to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our enduring relationship with one another and recognize the importance of reconciliation in building a shared future.
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