Want To Change The Mining Sector? Well, Here's Your Chance - #Disruptmining
(Kitco News)- Mining companies need to embrace “disruptive” technologyto make the sector more compelling to younger investors and attract newcapital, according to one mining executive.
LuisCanepari, vice-president of technology at Goldcorp (NYSE:GG, TSX:G, saidin a recent interview with Kitco News, that there are a lot of companies doingamazing things with technology that can be adopted by the mining sector, whichis why Goldcorp is pushing forward with its second annual #Distruptminingcampaign.
Asof Jan. 2 Goldcorp started accepting submissions for innovation ideas andprojects that could potentially help companies reduce their environmentalfootprint, make projects more efficient, increase onsite safety and lead tomore much-needed discoveries.
Companieshave until Jan. 16 to submit their proposals at http://www.disruptmining.com/.
Thebest of the best will then compete at Goldcorp’s signature event during the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada in March for a chanceto win capital -- up to $1 million -- to develop their idea and potentiallyimplement it at a working mine.
Ina Shark Tank/Dragon Den fashion, the chosen companies will showcase theirtechnology in front of a panel of judges:
mining legend and McEwen Mining CEORob McEwen Intregra Resource CEO George SalamisCEO of Softeck and director at Goldcorp Blanca Trevi??oCEO of Chrysaliz Venture Capital Dr. WalVan Lierop miningengineering student at the University of B.C. Veronica KnottCanepari,said that they are looking for submission that will impact any level of themining sector from improving head office efficiencies to how ore is extracted.
“Wewant people to think big and come up with ideas on how we can really change howwe mine,” he said. “The technology also has to be able to work in remote andextreme locations.”
#Disruptmining,Canepari explained is Goldcorp’s continued commitment to bringing innovation tothe mining sector. He added that he remains optimistic that by highlighting newtechnology and new ideas, the mining sector can come together to transformitself to attract new capital in a shifting investor landscape.
“Iencourage the entire mining industry to unite and create a more concertedeffort to develop and implement new technology,” he said. “Through collaboration,we can make some projects a lot more viable.”
Canepariadded even the smallest idea has the ability to make a substantial difference.As an example, he said that Goldcorp recently installed tablet computers in
their trucks to help improve efficiencies at the site.
“Weput computers in our underground trucks and we are now getting a lot of amazingdata,” he said. “They are using the tablets to communicate better andcollaborate with each other and it is working out. They are producing more tonnesthanks to just this one simple idea.”By Neils ChristensenFor Kitco News
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nchristensen@kitco.comwww.kitco.com Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.