RDP partner project sees funding to innovate mining and minerals industry

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The goal of the pilot is to identify challenges and develop innovative solutions for the mining and minerals industry in western Canada.

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“Success on the prairies has always been built on cooperation. That’s why our government is supporting P2INACLE—a partnership bringing prairie polytechnics together to turn research into practical solutions,” said Terry Duguid, Minister, PrairiesCan. “By working together to tackle challenges in the mining sector and beyond, P2INACLE is driving economic growth, creating quality jobs, and setting a new standard for how applied research can empower communities far beyond the prairies.”

The partnership between P2INACLE and IMII is expected to promote cross-disciplinary collaboration focused on industry needs and solutions.

“We are excited to be part of the P2INACLE pilot project, a significant step forward in fostering innovation and collaboration within Western Canada’s mining and minerals sector,” commented Al Shpyth, executive director of IMII. “This initiative will address key industry challenges and harness the collective expertise of polytechnics and industry partners across the prairies, driving both economic growth and technological advancements. We look forward to the impactful solutions that will arise from this collaborative effort.”

P2INACLE researchers and IMII and their partners will gather in Saskatoon in March to launch the collaborative applied research network.

Then, in May, P2INACLE researchers will join mining and minerals industry professionals at IMII’s IDEATE 2025 event to learn about challenges and team up with industry on various applied research projects.

“We are excited to join our partners across western Canada as part of the P2INACLE pilot project,” shared Alicia Cafferata, Applied Research Specialist at RDP and its lead for the Prairie Polytechnic Network. “We look forward to contributing to P2INACLE through providing advanced manufacturing and energy innovation expertise, as well as equipment. We’re also excited to hire RDP students who will contribute to the success of these applied research projects. At RDP, we are always proud to collaborate with industry partners to advance economic growth, promote innovation and increase productivity across western Canada.”

RDP says it is committed to growing applied research in four areas of focus: manufacturing and advanced manufacturing; energy innovation; health care and health technology; and social innovation.

Applied research occurs across the RDP campus, but the institution’s Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing-Technology Access Centre (CIM-TAC) is a key facility where this takes place. It houses $7.6 million in prototype and advanced manufacturing equipment and in the 2023-24 school year, saw 57 completed projects and $15 million in investments and revenue.

This included a $12.9 million investment by the Government of Alberta, supporting an expansion to 30,000 square feet from 15,000 and expected to occur over the next two years.

You can learn more about RDP’s applied research and innovation online.