Engineer using computer for geological analysis and mapping Wearing safety helmet and orange hi vis jacket in control room

Call for Proposals in the Future of Mining & Energy

This program is currently open for Expression of Interest (EOI) submissions.

Submit an EOI

Securing Canadian leadership in the future of mining and energy.

Together, we can support Canada’s energy transition, increase production efficiency and boost Canada’s global competitiveness. 

Canada has a great opportunity to lead in meeting the growing global demand for metals, minerals and energy products. By advancing cutting-edge digital technologies, we can strengthen domestic capacity and speed up the delivery of Canadian products to global markets. With these sectors driving a significant portion of Canada’s merchandise exports, now is the time to diversify our export portfolio. Canada’s mining and energy sectors are poised to lead the global market through innovation.  

DIGITAL is co-investing $22M that, alongside industry, will result in more than $60M of new investment in innovative digital technology solutions. By co-investing in 4-6 bold and ambitious projects focused on unlocking the opportunities in the mining and energy sectors, Canadian innovators will seize new commercial opportunities driving toward domestic and international market adoption.   

0
Selected Projects

($0M Co-Investment Committed)

0
Full Project Proposals in Development

($0M Co-Investment Ask)

0
Expressions of Interest in Development

($0M Co-Investment Ask)

Progress as of March 26, 2025

$0M
Total Investment Committed
$0M
Digital Co-Investment Committed
$22M
Total Digital Co-Investment

DIGITAL’s co-investment competitively distributed across projects that demonstrate high potential and evaluation against the goals of our programs.

Green energy, eco energy concept Trees growing on coin stacks symbolize green investments A graph with renewable energy icons shows growth, an Earth filled light bulb highlights the global impact

Efficiency & Sustainability

Innovative digital technologies that increase the efficiency of resource extraction and production by creating scalable systems that support national supply chains, reduce reliance on imports and speed up delivery of materials to meet market demands.

Projects may include, but are not limited to, developing and adopting solutions that accomplish the following:

  1. Asset characterization
  2. Enhancing operational sustainability, including reducing waste and improving water usage
  3. Optimizing energy consumption
  4. Health and safety
Digital Transformation Supply Chain, A supply chain manager using AI powered insights on a digital interface to optimize inventory and reduce lead times

Advanced Logistics & Digitally Integrated Supply Chains

Integrating digital technologies that reduce delays, lower costs and accelerate speed to market by enhancing the transparency, efficiency and resilience of Canadian supply chains.

Projects may include, but are not limited to, innovations that streamline logistics, improve resource traceability and improve predictive maintenance and inventory management with:

  1. Leveraging remote data access
  2. Data interoperability
  3. Digital technologies such as AI, blockchain and IoT
glowing earth from space north america at night with city lights and celestial digital illustration

Domestic Production & Export Readiness

Solutions that boost domestic capacity for mining operations and energy production by reducing bottlenecks, shortening lead times and strengthening local supply chains to enable faster response to market demands both domestically and for export.

Projects may include, but are not limited to, solutions that include the following:

  1. Digital innovations in extraction technologies
  2. Advanced materials processing 
  3. Logistics and transportation optimization
A modern warehouse aisle is illuminated by digital network lines that connect the shelves and pallets

Midstream Capabilities to Support Industrial Growth

Strengthening midstream processing infrastructure to build a more resilient, efficient and sustainable industrial base that meets growing global demand.

Projects may include enhancing refining, processing and material upgrading capabilities within the following areas for a range of resources – including, but not limited to, critical minerals: 

  1. Advanced processing and refining
  2. Value-add production
  3. Accelerating market readiness

Proposed projects are to:

  • Develop and commercialize novel technology solutions with early adopter customers that address well-defined problems in the areas of investment described above; with clear value and measurable outcomes in strengthening Canadian supply chains, boosting production efficiency and accelerating speed to market.
  • Have a minimum total project cost of $8M and be completed before December 31, 2027. Projects with core solutions at a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 6-9 will be prioritized due to this duration timeline. 
  • Drive creation of new IP that is owned by Canadian entities that have substantial operations in Canada.
  • Be incremental to the regular business of participating organizations and not be possible without the participation of consortium partners or undertaken at the same scope or scale without the co-investment provided by DIGITAL. 
  • Have an industry-led consortium that includes a minimum of three organizations (excluding DIGITAL) including at least one organization representing a potential customer and/or distribution channel partner of the proposed technology solution, and at least one Canadian SME.
  • Address the development of strategies and technologies that enable national and international market reach more quickly and efficiently, including reducing barriers to entry and enhancing export potential.  
  • Outline how Indigenous communities are meaningfully involved throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring their perspectives are valued, rights respected, and participation is integrated into decision-making, planning and implementation.   
  • Meet the other eligibility requirements and have a high scoring against the Evaluation Criteria cited in the Program Guide below. 

Future of Mining & Energy Program & Co-Investment Guidelines

PROGRAM GUIDE (EN)
DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAM GUIDE (EN)
PROGRAM GUIDE (FR)
DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAM GUIDE (FR)
CO-INVESTMENT GUIDELINES (EN)
DOWNLOAD THE CO-INVESTMENT GUIDELINES (EN)
CO-INVESTMENT GUIDELINES (FR)
DOWNLOAD THE CO-INVESTMENT GUIDELINES (FR)

With this call for proposals, DIGITAL seeks to support successful projects that contribute to building a Canadian technology innovation ecosystem through the following anticipated results:

40+
Canadian Owned IP Assets
10
Companies Scaled
10+
Commercial Solutions
$220M+
Revenue by 2023 (50% from Global Exports)
200+
New Jobs in Mining & Energy Sector

We emphasize a collaborative approach to innovation where groups of complementary organizations work together to build strong and impactful solutions to big problems. As such, proposed projects are expected to have strong alignment with our areas of investment and the right mix of organizational capabilities to meet our program objectives of innovation, commercialization and benefits to Canada.   

After reviewing the above co-investment and program guidelines, you may submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) through the link to the right. Only qualified applicants will be invited to submit a Full Project Proposal (FPP).

Upon request, we are available to help potential applicants further understand the objectives of this call for proposals and the eligibility criteria for a proposed project. Please email our team at proposal-support@digitalsupercluster.ca

Submit an EOI

Submit Now

PROJECT SELECTION COMMITTEE

DIGITAL is committed to maintaining a fair and objective co-investment decision-making process, guided by unbiased advice and adjudication. To achieve this, DIGITAL engages a Project Selection Committee (PSC) composed primarily of independent and external individuals.

DIGITAL requires each project partner to disclose any potential conflicts of interest with individuals involved in the evaluation and decision-making processes.

Marilyn Spink

Board Director & Advisor

Candice Loring

Director, Indigenous Relations and Initiatives