Ontario Research & Development Challenge Fund

Major R&D investment in Laurentian University's Sustainable Mining Program

Sudbury, February 26, 1999: Energy, Science and Technology Minister Jim Wilson signed a contract today with Laurentian University for a five-year $6.8 million R&D initiative to develop innovative sustainable mining technologies. The Ontario Research and Development Challenge Fund (ORDCF) will invest $2.2 million while Laurentian University and partners are contributing the remaining funds.

"Our investment will create new mining and environmental monitoring technologies for mining and other resource-based industries here in Northern Ontario and around the world. It will also create new opportunities for scientists to do world-class research right here in Northern Ontario, thereby reversing the "brain drain" to Southern Ontario and the United States, " Mr. Wilson said

As part of this project, Laurentian will create research chairs in Environmental Monitoring Technology and Mining Technology and Innovation, as well as funding salaries of skilled research support staff and postdoctoral or graduate students.

With the help of the Challenge Fund, the project will create technologies that cut costs for mining companies and it will offer industry better mine waste management and improve reclamation efforts.

"Our University is proud to spearhead this new and innovative mining research program as it will assist Laurentian in creating an applied research park on the University campus," said Laurentian University President Dr. Jean Watters. "It will make the wider Sudbury Region and Northern Ontario the Canadian centre for mining innovation, applied research and development. This project is strongly endorsed by Laurentian as it will help the mining industry solve strategic problems that will make the industry more competitive, stimulate regional development, and will serve as a model for tomorrow's knowledge-based industrial sectors."

"By investing in research and development projects in Ontario through the Challenge Fund, we will create new, highly-skilled jobs that will contribute to Northern Ontario's economic development and diversity," said Northern Development and Mines Minister Chris Hodgson.

"This Challenge Fund project will make working conditions in deep level mining safer and help improve the competitiveness of Ontario's mining industry," said Labour Minister Jim Flaherty.

Managing this project is the Mining Innovation Rehabilitation and Applied Research Corporation (MIRARCO), a non-profit organization created by Laurentian University to enhance and commercialize mining research. Other partners include the Canadian Mining Industry Research Organization, C-CORE (an engineering centre at Newfoundland's Memorial University), the Sudbury Regional Development Corporation, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, FedNor, Human Resources Development Canada and private sector companies including Denison Mines Limited, Falconbridge Limited, Rio Algom Limited and INCO Limited.

The Challenge Fund promotes research excellence and partnerships between business and universities, hospitals and research institutions. The fund will commit $500 million over 10 years. To date, the Province has announced investments of up to $75 million in 18 R&D projects with partners committing about $182 million for a total investment of about $257 million.

ORDCF provides funds for state-of-the art research equipment and facilities, leading-edge research that benefits industry and salaries for attracting the best and brightest researchers. Research institutions, including hospitals and universities, that apply for funding must have commitments from their private sector partners to contribute one-third of the total proposal costs.

All ORDCF proposals are evaluated by the members of the Ontario Research and Development Challenge Fund Board under the chairmanship of Dr. Calvin R. Stiller.