DIGITAL supercluster invests $6.7M in Canadian mining AI projects

Vancouver‑based technology supercluster DIGITAL announced a total investment of C$6.7 million in two Canadian mining innovations. C$3.8 million will fund Novamera’s “Surgical Mining” platform – an artificial‑intelligence‑driven subsurface imaging system designed to locate ore targets while cutting waste by up to 90 %. An additional C$2.89 million will support Koonkie Canada’s Multi‑lens Ecological Restoration Monitoring and Forecasting initiative, an AI platform that aims to shorten ecological‑restoration timelines by five to ten years.

DIGITAL highlighted the need for faster, responsible critical‑mineral production, citing Canada’s abundant resources but a shortage of modern extraction methods. Novamera CEO Jim Hollis said the technology will help “bring critical minerals into production quickly and responsibly,” while Koonkie co‑founder Steven Hallam stressed that “better data, forecasting and integration are essential for ecological restoration.” The combined projects are valued at C$19.9 million.

The investments are part of DIGITAL’s broader effort to strengthen Canada’s economic security and sovereignty in critical minerals through advanced, low‑impact mining technologies.