Insights

SafeSight Exploration Inc. Crowned Winner of Mining Technology Innovation Challenge

July 4, 2023

By Lindsay Lane

In the ever-evolving landscape of the global mining industry, one thing remains the same - the unwavering drive to boost productivity and ensure the utmost safety for workers. Mining companies across the globe are on the lookout for ground-breaking solutions that can revolutionize their operational practices and safeguard their workforce. That's where the Mining Technology Innovation Challenge comes into play—a dynamic platform that beckons entrepreneurs and start-ups from all corners of Canada to harness the transformative potential of 5G technologies. Their goal? To elevate operational efficiency, minimize environmental impact and prioritize the health and safety of all mine workers and personnel. After an intense and rigorous evaluation process, there was SafeSight Exploration Inc. emerged as the challenge winner following their compelling live pitch presentation at the NORCAT Underground Centre on May 30th. With their trailblazing 5G-enabled underground mine rescue and emergency response tool kit, they not only captured the attention of challenge judges but also illuminated a path towards a safer future for the entire industry.

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Clearing the Air: Ontario's Mining Industry Making Strides Towards a Safer and Healthier Future

April 13, 2023

By Lindsay Lane

In the heart of Ontario’s mining industry, thousands of workers in Ontario’s mining industry descend deep into the earth to extract the minerals that power our everyday life . For decades, these workers have been working alongside an invisible threat– diesel exhaust emissions, the toxic cocktail of chemicals produced by the very machinery that powers their work.

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These Australian Companies are Disrupting the Mining Industry - Meet Them at PDAC 2023!

March 4, 2023

By Lindsay Lane

Mining - the lifeblood of our economies, the beating heart of progress and the cornerstone of innovation. Few industries can match its transformative power and global impact, supporting communities, creating jobs and powering the world we live in. As the mining industry continues to evolve in its quest to be safer, greener and more productive, the flourishing mining service and supply sector in Australia has emerged as a key player in this, offering cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions critical for the future of mining. At PDAC 2023, taking place March 5-8th in Toronto, Ontario, a select group of trailblazing companies from the land down under are set to showcase the cutting-edge technologies and bold vision that are driving the industry forward. From next-generation digital tools to revolutionary sustainability initiatives, these companies are helping to shape the future of mining and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

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Weathering the Storm: The Importance of Employee Communication in a Post-Pandemic World

May 2, 2022

By Lindsay Lane

Three months into 2020, the World Health Organization formally declared COVID-19 a pandemic, igniting a firestorm of global uncertainty and plunging the lives and livelihoods of individuals around the world into a crisis still unfolding two years later. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected the construction sector, an industry historically sensitive to economic cycles and downturns. With most projects declared essential at the onset of the pandemic, construction contractors and companies had to contend with numerous operational challenges, including supply chain disruption, schedule delays, workforce reduction and decreases in productivity due to the implementation of new on-site health and safety measures – not to mention delays in acquiring permits, unavailability of financing and significant cash flow shortages.

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Discover : How Data Science and Mining Intersect in the 21st Century

January 8, 2020

By Lindsay Lane

More than 10 countries and 70 companies are currently using MX Deposit and the services of Minalytix

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All the Business World's a Stage : How Business Can Learn From the Arts

November 20, 2019

By Lindsay Lane

When it comes to being in any business – whether it be a tech startup, the mining industry or even show business – in order to succeed, you must learn it, live it, breathe it and appreciate it every day.

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Driving Sustainable Economic Growth In Small And Medium-Sized Communities

September 19, 2019

By Don Duval

Here are some insights and experiences from our pilot project at NORCAT, a regional innovation center serving Sudbury, Canada, that will assist other leaders in city-regions around the world seeking to drive economic prosperity.

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Digging Deeper : The True Value of Training

July 12, 2019

By Lindsay Lane

I recently completed KKETS’ Surface and Underground Diamond Driller Assistant Common Core certification at the Norcat training facility in Sudbury. I took this program to better myself so I can continue to grow, increase my skills and build my confidence at work.

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The Age of Relearning : Takeaways from True North 2019

June 27, 2019

By Lindsay Lane

True North 2019, the follow-up to Communitech’s inaugural 2018 "Tech for Good" themed conference, has come and gone, and this year’s "Age of Relearning" themed event promised – and delivered – an in-depth and inspiring examination on the emerging world of work and changing nature of education in the AI era.

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The People Factor: Managing the Most Important Resource During the Digital Transformation of the Mining Industry

March 5, 2019

By Lindsay Lane

As the mining industry has revolutionized, NORCAT has remained at the forefront of understanding innovation and technology trends and has held a privileged perspective to offer meaningful and powerful insights to help executives overcome their own transformation and innovation challenges. NORCAT’s talent and human capital advisory services provide an integrated and creative approach to learning and development operational readiness planning for the modern mine.

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The Pop-up Mining Technology Store: Fostering Innovation and Driving Technology Adoption in the Global Mining Industry

February 26, 2019

By Lindsay Lane

At NORCAT’s Underground Centre, we’re applying the same principles sweeping the retail sector by providing a "pop-up store" for customers to see, touch, and try products before they buy. At our facility, mining tech firms engage prospective mining customers in an operating mine environment that informs and promotes the decision to buy. Does it work? Yes, it does. Here’s our story.

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Today's Companies Have A Technology Adoption Problem, Not An Innovation Problem

January 28, 2019

By Don Duval

A remarkable innovation renaissance is underway. Companies the world over are being swept up in this journey, which has taken root across several industries, including consumer goods, financial services, life sciences and others. This transformative thrust flows from an unprecedented set of pressures on executives to drive shareholder value, improve productivity and enhance asset utilization. As all this unfolds, my organization, NORCAT, has watched and learned from the experiences of various sectors, though we will use the mining industry as the centerpiece of our views.

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