Mining oil sands machine
HomeServicesMining Innovation Commercialization Accelerator (MICA)
Services

Mining Innovation Commercialization Accelerator (MICA)

Industrial Network to Support Mining Productivity and Sustainability

The Mining Innovation Commercialization Accelerator (MICA) Network was launched in 2021 through an investment of $40 million from the Government of Canada’s Strategic Innovation Fund. MICA is a $112.4 million pan-Canadian initiative bringing together stakeholders from a wide range of fields to accelerate the development and commercialization of innovative technologies to make the mining sector more productive and sustainable.

InnoTech Alberta is a Regional Partner in MICA, representing and supporting the mining industry in Alberta.

Quick Facts

  • Regional Director: Dr. Gary Fisher
  • Focused on improving mine productivity and lowering associated environmental impacts
  • Funding program for applied research and deployment of technologies
  • Networking and training
  • Membership includes 3 mining companies and 60(+) associate and SME members

Project Funding and Support

One of the mandates of the MICA Network is to provide access to leverage funding for high-impact innovative clean technologies within one of the following four technical themes:

  • Increase Mine Production Capacity, at Lower Cost.
  • Reduce Mining Energy Consumption and GHG Emissions.
  • Implement Smart, Autonomous Mining Systems.
  • Reduce Environmental Risk and Long-Term Liabilities.

The investment in the projects is to advance made-in-Canada solutions, commercialize new, late-stage, high impact mining technologies and accelerate the number and scale of SMEs engaged in mining. View MICA’s page on project funding linked here.

Robotic welder

Networking & Training

Close up visual of Haul truck tires.

The MICA network hosts a series of either in-person or virtual technical and training workshops to support the adoption of new technologies in the mining sector. Previous events have included:

  • Workshop – additive manufacturing for the mining sector
  • Training – thermal spray technologies for mining applications
  • Workshop – Environmental mine management
  • Details of upcoming events are available on the MICA network website linked here.

Membership benefits

The benefits offered by the MICA members include:

  • Access to funding programs
  • Training and technical workshops
  • Networking events with mining and supply chain companies

View the MICA membership page linked here for more details.

Mining Innovation Commercialization Accelerator logo