A group of prairie polytechnics are harnessing the power of collaboration to meet the mining sector’s research needs.

A relatively new initiative, P2INACLE is a research network of six polytechnics that use each other’s strengths to promote efficiency and reduce research duplication. Sabrina Keyhoe is the navigator of the project. She says the network, including Saskatchewan Polytechnic, is launching three new projects this fall in partnership with the International Minerals Innovation Institute.

IMII provided P2INACLE with a list of industry challenges, such as managing carbon waste streams, developing ecofriendly anti-dusting chemicals, and finding a use for potash tailings. From the proposals, three projects are moving forward. They include using potash tailings as a nutrient-dense compost additive, developing cost-effective concrete using leftover mining materials, and creating an imaging system to view beyond the boring face in potash mines.

Looking forward, Keyhoe says P2INACLE hopes to maintain a focus on the mining and mineral sector while also exploring the energy and aerospace and defense sectors.