NORCAT and Partners Launch the Mining Technology Innovation Challenge to Inspire Safety, Productivity, and Sustainability in the Global Mining Industry

NORCAT, the global leader in skilled labour training, development, and innovation services, has partnered with leaders in mining and technology, to launch the Mining Technology Innovation Challenge, a Canada-wide competition that aims to create 5G applications to enhance safety, productivity and operational improvements in the global mining industry.

According to a NORCAT press release, the challenge will task innovative start-ups and entrepreneurs from across Canada to develop and test technologies on the Rogers 5G Wireless Private Network at the Rogers Technology Centre of Excellence at the NORCAT Underground Centre in Sudbury, ON. These solutions, focused on safety, productivity, energy efficiency, and environmental impact, will also leverage edge technologies by Dell and ultra-fast speeds and ultra-low latency on the Rogers 5G network.

Partners of NORCAT supporting the Mining Technology Innovation Challenge include Rogers Communications (Rogers), a leading Canadian technology and media company, and the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN), in collaboration with The Mining Innovation Commercialization Accelerator (MICA), and Dell Technologies.

Applicants were had to submit their proof-of-concept ideas by April 28, 2023. Finalists will be invited pitch their ideas to a panel of judges, including leaders from Rogers, NORCAT and OVIN, as well as Dell, MICA, and leading Canadian mining companies, at a later date.

Winners will receive up to $100,000 worth of support, including $25,000 in funding to develop their proof-of-concept within the Rogers Technology Centre of Excellence at the NORCAT Underground Centre for up to three months, with access to edge technologies by Dell, as well as leverage the support of the OVIN Northern Regional Technology Development Site to commercialize their solution. Throughout the three-month development period, winners will receive up to 100 hours of direct support from challenge partners, industry experts, and engineers. 

This project builds upon Rogers and NORCAT’s previous collaboration. In October 2022, Rogers announced a five-year strategic partnership with NORCAT to accelerate technology adoption in the global mining industry through the establishment of the Rogers Technology Centre of Excellence at the NORCAT Underground Centre. As part of this investment, Rogers will be adding a new 5G cell site and uplift to an existing tower on its public tower to bring 5G coverage to the NORCAT Underground Centre, enabling NORCAT’s clients to develop, test, and demonstrate scalable technologies, including tele-remote and autonomous operations, industrial Internet of things (IoT), asset tracking and drone mapping among many other use cases.

As part of its mandate, NORCAT continues to identify and engage with mining technology companies from around the world to support the development and adoption of innovative technologies poised to transform the global mining industry. For more information about the Mining Technology Innovation Challenge, please visit https://bit.ly/3BDKpyl.