Val-d'Or, Quebec, February 20, 2008 The Honourable Jean-Pierre
Blackburn, Minister of Labour and Minister of Canada Economic Development, today
announced that the new firm Instruments Terrascope has been granted $314,137 in
repayable funding to acquire manufacturing equipment and implement a marketing
strategy for its mining exploration products.
A designer of geophysical equipment, Instruments Terrascope has developed
high-performance emitters and receivers capable of detecting underground mineral
and metal deposits up to one kilometre below the earth's surface, whereas
existing exploration techniques have only made it possible to reach a depth of
no more than 200 metres. The firm is seeking to market these innovations in
Canada, Australia, and all other major mining countries.
"The startup of Instruments Terrascope is proof that the spirit of enterprise
generally translates into job creation: in this case, that means seven jobs to
date and, ultimately, another 24 in the related company Abitibi Géophysique. The
Government of Canada is committed to supporting small and medium-sized
businesses in their efforts to innovate and break into new foreign markets and,
in so doing, to improve their competitive standing and export capabilities. When
enterprises are better prepared to face the competition, they are better able to
contribute to the Canadian economy and, by extension, to the vitality of
Quebec's communities," explained Minister Blackburn.
"Canada Economic Development has guided us throughout this project. Its
support initially enabled us to develop the new patented technology
InfiniTEM®, and has since given us the helping hand we need to
manufacture and bring to market the fruits of our research and development
work," noted Instruments Terrascope President Pierre Bérubé.
Mining is considered a promising growth sector for the Abitibi-Témiscamingue
region, along with tourism and the processing of agri-food and forestry
products. It is in these priority areas that Canada Economic Development has
decided to focus its development efforts in the region.
-30-
François BélisleCommunicationsCanada Economic
Development Tel.: 819-825-5260, ext. 235E-mail: francois.belisle@dec-ced.gc.ca
Jean-Philippe PaymentPress SecretaryOffice of the Honourable
Jean-Pierre BlackburnCanada Economic Development
Tel.: 819-953-5646E-mail: jeanphilippe.payment@hrdsc-rhdsc.gc.ca
