The purpose of the MoU is to promote a collaborative strategic approach to all aspects of mining, through mining research, technology development and the commercialisation of mining innovation. The MoU will serve as a model for bilateral collaboration between the CEDC and CEMI and, wherever possible, the expansion of multilateral relationships with local and foreign academic institutions, researchers, mining companies, mining supply and service sector and government agencies.

Doug Murray, CEO of CEDC, said: "Mining and further mining innovations are important aspects for the continued growth of the northwestern Ontario economy and thus appreciate CEMI's support to make this happen."

Douglas Morrison, president of CEMI, added: "CEMI has always undertaken to help promote mining activity in the northwest of Ontario, and this is another way to recognise our collaborative relationship."

The formalisation of this relationship is another step in CEMI's effort to develop a national mining ecosystem so that the innovations in the service and supply companies in Canada can have a greater impact on domestic and global markets.

CEMI is leading the development of a programme called the Mining Innovation Commercialization Accelerator (MICA). The national ecosystem will be built upon a network of collaborative regional mining clusters across the country, each cluster defined by the companies in each region. As each of the regional clusters expand their network of MoUs and co-operation agreements with organisations across the country and internationally, the national ecosystem will be strengthened.

CEMI's objective is to help the mining sector achieve a step-change improvement in performance by accelerating the commercial adoption of innovations in mines and by increasing the innovation capacity of the mining service companies that deliver techniques and technologies to the industry. CEMI works through networked solutions teams to accelerate the commercialisation of mining innovations.

Incorporated in December 2006, CEDC is an arms-length community development corporation, led by an independent board with core funding from the city of Thunder Bay, Ontario. The mandate of the CEDC is to operate in a way that is project-based, business-led, partner-driven and community supported. CEDC receives formal proposals on projects that will contribute to economic development. It responds quickly to new opportunities and initiatives to attract direct financial involvement from government and private sectors.