The MARIOS Consortium is kicking off the new year with new partnerships, projects, members, and events, highlighting advances, growth and new opportunities in Alberta’s mining sector.
Partnerships
The MARIOS team – together with Albertan mine operators recently joined the Maintenance Expert Network. Groupe MISA operates a series of Expert Networks, supported by more than 30 mine operators, to foster knowledge sharing across Quebec’s mining industry. This expert network convenes three times a year, creating a platform to review emerging technologies and explore solutions to issues shared across the industry. This Alberta-Quebec forum provides an opportunity to discuss common challenges, exchange experiences, and propose innovative solutions, demonstrating how collaboration accelerates the development of effective solutions and drives progress in the mining sector.
Projects and Education
The MARIOS Community has a keen interest in new protective materials and providing essential information on how to select them. Mining operations produce aggressive wear and corrosion conditions that commonly require protective technologies to enhance equipment durability and longevity.
Pat Flood, an InnoTech Alberta researcher, is leading a MARIOS project to identify and evaluate new materials that can offer either a step change in protection or provide adequate performance at a lower cost. Current focus areas include ceramics, iron-based composite overlays, and sintered metallic composites. Members in the community
Member Focus
To start off the year, January/February’s member focus highlights Bit Service Company Ltd., a Saskatchewan manufacturer of specialty cutting components for the underground potash mining industry. With a staff comprised of engineering professionals and technologists, tradespeople and skilled labour, there is a strong push towards innovation and development of new products at Bit Service.
Events and Workshops
MARIOS and InnoTech have several events coming up in January and February:
- MARIOS Virtual Presentation, Repair Technologies, Jan 28, 2026
- MARIOS Mine Vehicle workshop, Feb 18, 2026
- MARIOS Virtual Presentation, Wear Testing for Mining Applications, Feb 25, 2026
Keep an eye out for event updates and workshop details in the coming weeks.
To learn more about the MARIOS consortia or to join, please contact Gary Fisher.