Mining Innovation Rehabilitation and Applied Research Corporation
Mining Innovation Rehabilitation and Applied Research Corporation, or MIRARCO, is the "largest not-for-profit applied research firm in North America." MIRARCO is made up of three primary divisions:
CEM
GRC
EVO
CEM (Centre for Environmental Monitoring)
CEM develops "analytical systems and remote monitoring technologies" and provides "research and technical services" to support resource industries. CEM's primary concern is environmental sustainability. CEM's expertise includes:
The Potash Roof Inspection System and the CRack Identification System .
Borehole Acoustic Televiewer
EVO (Enhanced Visualization and Optimization)
EVO was created in 2008 from the former CMT and VREX groups. CMT focused on technology projects like Water-jet scaling and mine planning, while VREX focused on mine safety, and integration, interpretation, and visualization through its Virtual Reality Laboratory. The combined group now focuses its efforts on creating and using software for the mining industry. Its first major software product was the Schedule Optimization Tool, which launched in June 2008. The SOT uses a Genetic Algorithm to produce optimal schedules for underground mining operations. EVO also has ongoing projects in Virtual Reality Safety, Mine Ventilation, and Long-term mine planning. In addition, EVO is building an open-source data visualization and integration product called , a derivative of ParaView.
On September 20, 2008, MIRARCO participated in Software Freedom Day, an annual worldwide celebration of free/open-source software. Robert Maynard, lead programmer of ParaViewGeo presented the results of a four-month effort to rapidly teach a group of seven co-op students how to program Python and how to use ParaViewGeo.
Mining Research Cluster
MIRARCO shares a floor in the Willet Green Miller Centre with CEMI. An open-house was held on August 22, 2008 to showcase the original four research organizations to the public. The goal for the organizations sharing the same location is to increase communication between stakeholders in mining research. Former President and CEO of MIRARCO, and now Founding Director of CEMI, Dr. Peter Kaiser described the move as sounding "primitive, but it's sometimes amazing how big the gap is across a parking lot, between a building and another one," and that " we have these things all separated, we cannot reap the benefits from the integrated approach."