A group awarding funds to innovative projects that propose solutions to modernize the mining industry is expected to announce the first round of successful recipients this summer.

The Mining Innovation Commercialization Accelerator (MICA) Network launched its first call for proposals in February. In a newsletter update, the organization said it received more than 100 applications from 81 applicants from across Canada.

From that, 80 applicants have moved on to the next round of vetting, and successful applicants will be announced in July, according to the network.

A total of $20 million is available for this round of funding. MICA will fund up to 33 per cent of project costs, and projects are to be completed within four years.

Launched last November by Sudbury’s Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI), MICA is a pan-Canadian initiative to find new solutions to mining problems.

Areas of interest include increasing mine production at lower costs, reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, implementing autonomous mining systems, and reducing environmental risk and the long-term liabilities of mining.

Members include SMEs, mining companies, academic and research institutions, and innovation centres from across the country.

MICA said a second call for proposals would be issued this fall, and project funding would be assigned in 2023.