Ottawa is injecting C$6.7 million into two Canadian technology projects designed to advance the mining sector. The funding, announced by Industry Minister Mélanie Joly, will support companies Novamera Inc. and Koonkie Canada Inc. in developing cutting-edge solutions for critical mineral extraction and ecological restoration.
Novamera, based in Oakville, Ontario, will receive $3.8 million towards a $10.9 million project. This funding will advance their "Surgical Mining" technology, which integrates advanced subsurface imaging, artificial intelligence, robotics, and conventional drilling for more precise access to critical mineral deposits like copper and rare earth elements. This technology promises to improve efficiency and reduce the environmental footprint of mineral extraction.
Vancouver-based Koonkie Canada Inc. will receive $2.9 million for its project, valued at $8.9 million. This investment will support the development of an AI-powered platform that combines environmental DNA analysis, soil health data, remote sensing, and Indigenous ecological knowledge. The platform aims to enhance ecological restoration efforts and biodiversity monitoring at mine sites, promoting responsible resource development.
These investments are part of a broader federal strategy to strengthen Canada's critical minerals supply chains and bolster its industrial competitiveness. Minister Joly emphasized Canada's significant resource potential and the importance of developing these resources responsibly to meet future global demands and support the clean energy transition. The funding aims to move innovative Canadian technologies from development to real-world deployment, creating economic opportunities and jobs across the country.
