SUDBURY – A mining engineering company in Sudbury is making a significant investment in Cambrian College’s new Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) Lab.

BESTECH has generously committed $50,000 to support the equipment needs of the college’s new lab, an extension of the Glencore Centre for Innovation located at the main campus in Sudbury. The lab will play a crucial role in supporting the college’s applied research arm, Cambrian R&D, which includes the Centre for Smart Mining, a specialized research hub.

“BESTECH has worked with Cambrian throughout the years because we share the same vision for innovation and economic growth in the north,” says Patrick Fantin, president of BESTECH. “This opportunity to invest in the BEV Lab is an excellent example of this vision. We see first-hand the industry shift that is taking place toward the use of BEVs. We believe in the positive impacts of this change, including worker safety and the reduction of CO2 emissions. This lab brings BEV innovation directly to Sudbury and creates opportunities for future generations to become thought leaders within a relatively new trade.”

The 5,600 square-foot BEV Lab will feature state-of-the-art equipment for BEV prototyping and testing of electric powertrains and batteries. The lab will provide critical data to original equipment manufacturers and end users on the performance characteristics of BEVs as the mining industry continues to incorporate BEVs into the workplace. Construction will be completed in the fall of 2023.

“There is a lot of buzz around BEVs these days, and here at Cambrian, we are a leader when it comes to applied research for large-scale BEVs, as heavy industry looks to become more efficient and carbon-neutral,” says Kristine Morrissey, Cambrian’s incoming president and current vice-president in charge of applied research. “Our community partners like BESTECH see the value in our new BEV lab. What happens in that lab will benefit industry, students, faculty, staff, and our environment. We are so grateful to have BESTECH’s support.”

During today’s announcement, the BESTECH Electronics Lab was also officially unveiled. Located within the Glencore Centre for Innovation, the BESTECH Electronics Lab is a specialized space that houses advanced equipment and technologies. It will support industry partners conducting applied research that involves electrical engineering components.

Taking part in the official opening were Patrick Fantin, president of BESTECH; Lee Weitzel, manager of mining engineering services at BESTECH; Kati McCartney, president of FROSKR, a division of BESTECH Canada Limited; and Steve Gravel, manager of the Centre for Smart Mining.

During the opening ceremony, they discussed critical minerals demand and policy, the role of BEVs in mining, industry trends and the pivotal role of BEVs in achieving climate goals.

For 11 years in a row, Cambrian College, through Cambrian R&D, has made the list of Canada’s Top 50 research colleges, as compiled by Re$earch Infosource.

To learn more about Cambrian R&D, visit www.cambriancollege.ca/rd.

-30-

Cambrian College is Northern Ontario’s largest college, with more than 90 programs. Cambrian’s main campus is in Greater Sudbury, with satellite centres in Espanola and Little Current. For more information about Cambrian College, visit www.cambriancollege.ca. 

Are you an individual, business, organization or donor who wants to see how Cambrian College can work with you?  Visit our Partner + website at https://cambriancollege.ca/partners/. 

All media releases can be found at www.cambriancollege.ca/media-releases. 

We acknowledge and respect that we are gathered on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabe People of Turtle Island and proudly recognize our local host Atikameksheng Anishnawbek. We also recognize the contributions of Wahnapitae First Nation and the Metis Nation of Ontario.