Organizers of a new event coming to Saskatoon this April are hoping innovation will be key in turning around Saskatchewan’s resource sector.
The International Minerals Innovation Institute, in partnership with the Saskatchewan Industrial and Mining Suppliers Association, are hosting DEMOday in April. Organizers say the event will give supply chain companies a chance to present their innovations directly to the province’s major mining companies.
IMII Executive Director, Al Shpyth, says with a downturn in the market, he believes innovation will be a huge key to turn things around.
Shpyth says it has always been a challenge for them to give companies a chance to present innovations that can help the entire industry.
“So we had to find a new way to bring those innovations forward,” said Shpyth. “Ones that can help solve some of the larger challenges the industry faces, not just challenges an individual company faces.”
Over the past couple years, the resource market in Saskatchewan has seen a downturn, but Shpyth believes innovation will be a huge key to turn things around.
“We are in a more challenging price environment, and we and our members believe this makes innovation even more important,” he said. “Innovation is certainly growing in importance in these times.”
The first-ever DEMOday will happen on April 10, the day before the 10th annual Saskatchewan Mining Supply Chain Forum in Saskatoon.
February 2 is the closing day for applications.
(PHOTO: Potash mine near Allan, Saskatchewan. Photo courtesy of IMII.ca)