Québec, Quebec, July 9, 2009 − The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, today announced $2 million in non-repayable funding to support the technology transfer activities of COREM, a pre-competitive research consortium specializing in the processing and transformation of mineral substances. The consortium is made up of 18 member establishments.
This funding will enable COREM to develop 24 new technologies, organize 21 technology and knowledge transfer activities and conduct 29 new opportunity studies. The consortium will also pursue its pre-competitive research program, with the processes developed being tested in mining operations in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Saguenay-Lac St-Jean, Côte-Nord, Nord-du-Québec and Montérégie regions.
“Despite the economic slowdown, it is essential that the development and transfer of innovative technologies be pursued in order for Canada to strengthen its position as a world leader in the mining sector. This funding will allow COREM to continue assisting the sector’s enterprises in their efforts to engage in innovation and maintain their global competitive standing. This will see to it that the Canadian industry is able to demonstrate its know-how while helping mining communities whose economies depend on natural resources,” mentioned State Minister Lebel.
“COREM’s dynamic energy and its innovations make it an exceptional ambassador of Quebec knowledge,” added the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister for La Francophonie. “I am proud that our government is putting its financial support behind enterprises in the science sector. This major investment promises to benefit not only the Québec City region, but the province of Quebec as a whole.”
COREM’s members include Agnico-Eagle Mines, CORUS Group, QIT-FER et Titane, ArceletorMittal Mines Canada, Iron Ore Company of Canada, Xstrata – Zinc, Wabush Mines, IAMGOLD Corporation, Rio Tinto-Alcan and Quebec’s Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune. In target resource regions, high-performance metallurgical processes are the backbone of a competitive mining industry, and transferring knowledge to mineral processing plants allows these companies to build a solid competitive advantage. Enabling COREM to pursue its project, particularly in this difficult economic period, will help Quebec’s mining companies lower their operating costs and limit the negative impacts of their activities on the environment.
This financial contribution to COREM has been awarded through Canada Economic Development’s Business and Regional Growth program.
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Sources :
Lyne Montpellier
Communications
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 1-800-567-8637
E-mail: lyne.montpellier@dec-ced.gc.ca
Stéphanie Desforges
Senior Special Assistant, Communications
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 514-496-1282
E-mail: stephanie.desforges@dec-ced.gc.ca
