The mining and defense sectors often operate in similarly demanding environments, including remote sites in northern conditions that create a shared need for technologies that improve operational effectiveness. Common priorities include enhancing equipment reliability, advancing inspection capabilities, reducing maintenance costs and supporting remote and autonomous operations in harsh, hard to access locations.
To support these opportunities, MARIOS is collaborating with the Centre for Applied Research in Defence and Dual-use Technologies (CARDD-Tech) at the University of Alberta to explore and advance dual-use technologies for both sectors.
Upcoming activities include a virtual workshop on dual-use technology development opportunities in September 2026, as well as a Technology Demonstration Day focused on in-field repair and inspection technologies that will take place in winter 2027.
To learn more about opportunities for dual-use technology development in the mining and defense sectors, please contact Neil Yaremchuk at Neil.Yaremchuk@innotechalberta.ca.
Project Focus: Alternative Carbide Materials
Composites made from tungsten carbide are among the most effective solutions for mitigating wear. Increasing demand for tungsten across multiple sectors is significantly outpacing available supply, leading to shortages of this critical material and increasing supply chain risks for the mining industry.
The MARIOS Consortium is leading several initiatives to develop and deploy wear-resistant composite materials that incorporate alternative carbide hard phases. These efforts span cemented carbides, composite overlays, and thermal spray coatings.
MARIOS is working with partners in the United Kingdom, Germany, and Brazil to accelerate deployment and adoption of these alternate materials to support a more resilient and sustainable supply chain for mining applications.
Contact Patrick Flood at Patrick.Flood@innotechalberta.ca to learn more.
Member Focus: Manluk Industries
Founded in 1978, Manluk Industries is a Canadian manufacturing company specializing in large-scale machining, weld overlay, and component refurbishment for heavy industrial sectors such as oil sands, mining, power generation, and petrochemical operations.
Manluk combines advanced technologies like robotic automation with time-honoured craftsmanship to deliver world-class manufacturing, repair, and asset-life extension solutions to partners across North America and around the globe.
Proudly serving the oil sands industry for more than four decades, Manluk helps operators improve reliability and maximize the performance of critical equipment in some of the world’s most demanding operating environments.
Upcoming Events
Upcoming events supported by MARIOS and InnoTech Alberta:
- ASME Code Week, August 9 – 14, Virtual event
- COM 2026, August 17 – 20, in Calgary
- ICAM 2026, September 28 – October 2, in Orlando
- MARIOS Technical Workshop, October 28 – 29, in Edmonton
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