Grant: Collaborative Research and Development Grants

The energy and mining sector provides billions of dollars every year in revenue to governments - money that supports critical social programs such as health care, education and public pensions. Canada has a global responsibility to develop and utilize its mineral resources sustainably and optimally. This research project will contribute to cost reduction in oil sands industry in order to be able to develop green technologies and knowledge for sustainable natural resources development. The proposed research program builds on our past findings to develop an integrated haulage network optimization for oil sands mine production scheduling, whereby bitumen is extracted and prepared at a desired market specification, with the minimum adverse effect on the environment; maximum economic return; and within acceptable social, legal and regulatory constraints. This research is focused on applications of operations research in the sustainable development of minable oil sands. This research directly contributes to the creation of new knowledge, and innovative technologies for the integration of long-term mine and tailings management systems into operational optimization required for resource development to leave behind only rehabilitated landscapes and healthy ecosystems. It is anticipated that the outcome of this research will contribute to responsible resource development by transferring knowledge to practitioners and end-users through prototype open-source software applications in the oil sands industry. This research will generate new technologies that are applicable to other areas and will also train highly qualified mining professionals. The research will also provide a means to enhance resource economic performance and product supply, and make efficient progressive reclamation possible.