CEMI partners with IP experts to boost mining innovation

The Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI) has formed a strategic alliance with the Innovation Asset Collective to help Canadian mining companies better protect and profit from their breakthrough technologies.

"This collaboration with the Innovation Asset Collective represents a meaningful milestone for the MICA Network,” Chamirai Charles Nyabeze, head of CEMI, said. “By embedding IAC’s strategic IP expertise and resources into our ecosystem, we are helping Canadian mining innovators not only develop cutting-edge technologies, but also strengthen their IP ownership and freedom to operate — a foundation for sustainable growth and global competitiveness. Together, we are equipping SMEs with the tools they need to protect, scale and win in markets around the world."

Starting February 9, 2026, the partnership will connect CEMI's Mining Innovation Commercialization Accelerator Network with IAC's intellectual property specialists. The collaboration aims to help small and medium-sized enterprises tackle global market challenges while building stronger positions around their innovations.

“Canada has long been a global leader in mining. As critical minerals have become an economic priority around the world, Canadian companies have a unique opportunity to lead the future of the sector and advance more sustainable mining operations. With the right intellectual property strategy and ownership positions, mining innovators can capture and retain more of the long-term value created by their technologies,” Mike McLean of IAC stated.

About the organizations

MICA launched in July 2021 with support from the Government of Canada's Strategic Innovation Fund. The $300-million national ecosystem focuses on accelerating late-stage mining technology commercialization. CEMI, a Sudbury-based not-for-profit corporation, manages the network and works to solve mining industry challenges.

The Innovation Asset Collective operates as a not-for-profit, membership organization funded by the Government of Canada. With more than 300 members, IAC works to improve Canadian small businesses' global market access by reducing IP-related risks, enhancing their freedom to operate, and building strategic IP ownership positions through its team of renowned intellectual property experts.

Four-pillar strategy

The partnership centres on four key areas designed to strengthen Canada's clean-tech and mining sectors.

The organizations will provide small and medium-sized enterprises with resources to enhance their freedom to operate and develop strong intellectual property strategies. Both groups plan to jointly create approaches for engaging mining, technology and community stakeholders across the country. The partners will share success stories and non-confidential data throughout their respective networks to drive industry-wide growth. They will also coordinate their efforts on conferences, summits and outreach strategies to boost the visibility of advanced mining innovations.

The organizations will provide small businesses with resources to improve their freedom to operate and build solid IP strategies. They plan to jointly develop ways to engage mining, technology and community stakeholders nationwide. Both groups will share success stories and industry data across their networks to fuel broader growth. The partners will coordinate conferences, summits and outreach efforts to spotlight advanced mining innovations.

More information is posted at www.Cemi.ca and www.Ipcollective.ca