Fundamentally Transforming Mining

Next-Generation Technology for Underground Mines of the Future

TOWARDS ZERO WASTE MINING The Canadian mining industry is focused on transforming how it operates through innovation. Right now, companies are working towards significant emissions reductions and the eventual elimination of mine waste and tailings at their facilities at home and abroad. The radical reduction in mining’s environmental footprint is at the core of CMIC’s Towards Zero Waste Mining (TZWM) innovation strategy. TZWM involves 40 mining companies and service providers that are investing in the development and adoption of transformational technologies that will greatly reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions at all stages of the mining life cycle. SPOTLIGHT ON UNDERGROUND MINING Many underground hard rock mines have progressed deeper to access ore reserves, resulting in more complex extraction, higher costs and declines in labour productivity. Additionally, with decreased head grades, the energy required to extract minerals has increased. Continuous and automated underground mining, powered by electric and low emission technologies, will transform how ore is extracted and transported, reducing the industry’s overall environmental and energy footprint. TZWM AND UNDERGROUND MINING Through TZWM, companies have identified opportunities to significantly reduce their environmental footprint through continuous and automated mining technologies and processes. This entails moving away from fossil fuel-based equipment and processes, which will increase underground mines’ energy efficiency and vastly reduce emissions and mine waste (i.e. tailings). At the same time, companies will also significantly improve their productivity, translating into game-changing impacts on the sector’s financial health. Imagine the next generation of mines that are completely powered by electric or battery technology, vastly reducing or even eliminating the use of diesel in underground mines. CMIC’S TZWM strategy employs an open innovation ecosystem business model unique in the natural resources industry. The approach harnesses innovation and leverages talent, knowledge, intellectual property and existing technology from industries inside and outside of mining to create Canadian-based solutions. Technology development, deployment and adoption is accelerated by taking advantage of global assets in an open and shared intellectual property framework with

Fundamentally Transforming Mining

an entire supply chain. It also provides technology test beds, reduces barriers to the adoption of technology and significantly reduces financial risk for all collaborators. OPPORTUNITIES FOR INNOVATION • Identify, develop and implement new electric-based technology and heavy

equipment to: o Mechanically cut rock underground, replacing explosives o Remove oversize ore in near real time, replacing the current batch process with

a true continuous process o Sort ore from waste continuously underground o Transport ore to the surface

• Develop standards for the adoption of electrical equipment in Canadian underground mines.

• Develop a technology platform that allows for rapid implementation of real-time management and control of underground operations, complete with analytics capability to allow for rapid decision making.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES • Expedite development of new fleets of heavy equipment for Canadian underground

mines that are powered by electrical (battery) technology versus diesel and other fossil fuels.

• Transform ore extraction by replacing explosives with new mechanical cutting technologies.

• New technology that allows for the removal of oversized ore in near real time. • New technology that sorts valuable minerals from waste. • New conveying technology for the continuous transportation of ore to the surface. • New standards for electrical equipment in Canadian underground mines. • A new high-technology platform for real-time monitoring and control of the

underground mining process. BENEFITS • Elimination of fossil-based fuels in underground mines. • Significant reduction in energy consumption. • Increases in labour productivity by a minimum of 200%. • Decrease in unit costs by a minimum of 33% (e.g. cost/tonne/lb/oz). • Development and deployment of new technology by Canadian SMEs and startups. • Export of Canadian developed technology. • Foreign direct investment in Canada by global technology providers. PROGRESS TO DATE • 5 projects are in the design stage focusing on thermal fragmentation, propellant

testing, continuous mucking, continuous development and oversize handling. • A technology roadmap is complete.