DIGITAL has announced two Canadian-led mining innovations valued at $19.9 million, aimed at advancing precision critical mineral extraction and AI-powered environmental restoration. The projects are designed to support economic growth and responsible resource development by improving efficiency, increasing precision, and providing a clearer understanding of environmental impacts.
Novamera Surgical Mining: Reducing Waste by Up to 90%
Novamera is receiving $3.8 million to advance its patented Surgical Mining solution. The technology integrates advanced subsurface imaging, AI-driven simulation, and robotics to precisely target and extract ore. This approach can quickly access various types of precious and critical minerals that are difficult to mine using conventional methods, including narrow or remote veins that may otherwise remain stranded. By selectively extracting ore and minimizing waste, the technology enables faster time-to-production and minimal environmental disturbance. According to DIGITAL, the system is designed to reduce waste by up to 90%, depending on site conditions, while supporting faster and more informed extraction decisions.
Koonkie Canada: AI-Powered Ecological Restoration
Koonkie Canada Inc. is receiving $2.89 million for its Multi-lens Ecological Restoration Monitoring and Forecasting initiative. The project aims to advance a novel AI-powered platform that transforms how the mining sector monitors ecological restoration and biodiversity. Restoration of mine sites is often a slow and siloed process that can take decades to complete. Koonkie's technology brings together several advanced tools in one platform, including environmental DNA to identify a full spectrum of organisms, mobile soil analysis to map nutrient health, and remote sensing imagery to track landscape-scale changes. Crucially, these high-tech tools are integrated with Indigenous ecological knowledge, ensuring the platform reflects both scientific and cultural values.
Expected Impact on Restoration Timelines and Costs
Project partners expect the platform to shorten restoration timelines by 5 to 10 years, helping reduce long-term environmental liabilities. Precision interventions guided by the platform are also projected to reduce restoration costs by up to 40% compared to legacy methods. DIGITAL is helping Canadian companies move mining technologies from development to adoption by bringing technology builders together with industry partners that can test, validate, and deploy new solutions in real-world operating environments. This adoption-focused model reduces risk for Canadian companies, creates pathways to commercialization, and supports the growth of Canadian technologies in domestic and global markets.
Supporting Canada's Critical Mineral Strategy
As demand grows for critical minerals like copper and rare earth elements, these innovations will help Canada secure the resources needed for clean technology, national security, and a competitive economy. They also support a smarter approach to mining – one that improves efficiency, increases precision, and provides a clearer understanding of environmental impacts. Canada has the critical minerals needed for electric vehicles, clean energy, defence systems, and digital infrastructure, but many deposits remain difficult to access and mine sites can take decades to restore. DIGITAL's investment aims to address these challenges head-on.
