A call is out for tech startups to find new applications for 5G in mining that will improve safety, productivity, energy efficiency, and environmental impact.
NORCAT and industry partners issued the Mining Technology Innovation Challenge on March 6 during the 2023 convention of the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada, which is taking place March 5-8 in Toronto.
Applicants have until April 4 to submit their ideas, after which successful applicants will develop and test their technologies at the Rogers Technology Centre of Excellence, which was established last year at the NORCAT Underground Centre north of Sudbury.
Up to $100,000 in funds are up for grabs for the successful applicant. That includes $25,000 in funding and development support to advance their proof of concept over a period of three months at NORCAT.
Partners on the initiative include NORCAT, Rogers, Dell Technologies, the Mining Innovation Commercialization Accelerator, and the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network.
Finalists for the challenge will be announced on April 21. Winners will be announced in early May.
