Canadian innovator ELEMISSION wins Global Open Innovation Colab at GRX26
Canadian mining technology company ELEMISSION has been crowned the winner of the Global Open Innovation Colab challenge at the Global Resources Innovation Expo (GRX26), following a dynamic live pitch session in front of investors, innovators and mining executives in Perth, Western Australia.
Delivered by Austmine and AusIMM in partnership with Expande (Chile), the Peru Mining Innovation Hub and the Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI, Canada), the Colab asked emerging technology companies to address one of mining’s most pressing priorities: accelerating the development of critical minerals. The challenge, ‘Critical Disruptors: From Discovery to Recovery’, attracted 50-plus international submissions shortlisted to six finalists.
Following presentations to a judging panel and a live peer voting process, ELEMISSION was announced as the winning company for its eCore real-time ore characterisation platform. The company will receive A$10,000 ($7,233) in prize money, international promotion opportunities and access to business development pathways across Latin America.
During its pitch, François Doucet, spectral chemist and CEO at Elemission, highlighted the problem eCore was solving: “The demand for critical minerals is exploding. Mining companies are making billion‑dollar decisions based on incomplete understanding of the orebody variability.”
eCore uses laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) to deliver laboratory-grade mineral and elemental data directly from drill core at mine speed. This allows better understanding of orebody variability and improves decision making across exploration, resource modelling and processing. By replacing lengthy laboratory turnaround times with real-time analysis, the technology has demonstrated significant reductions in chemical assays while providing rapid, process-ready mineralogical information directly at site.
The six finalists represented a global cross-section of mining innovation, showcasing advanced extraction methods, digital solutions and process innovation designed to improve efficiency and support faster project development. Alongside ELEMISSION, finalists included DUNDEE Sustainable Technologies (Canada); IBT Robotic Systems / OptiClino (Australia); WIDMO (Poland); Ñandú (Chile) and Acceleware (Canada).
Dr Robert Trzebski, Director International Business at Austmine, said: “The quality of solutions presented on stage at GRX26 highlights the depth of innovation being developed globally to support the future supply of critical minerals.
“What stood out about ELEMISSION was the practical application of the technology and its potential to deliver measurable impact across mining operations. The Colab is about connecting innovators directly with industry globally and accelerating the pathway from innovation to implementation.”
A people’s choice winner was also announced, with Ñandú receiving the popular vote.
Following strong international interest and engagement at GRX26, the Global Open Innovation Colab will return at GRX27 in Brisbane from June 22-24, 2027.
The post Canadian innovator ELEMISSION wins Global Open Innovation Colab at GRX26 appeared first on International Mining.