The Goodman School of Mines at Laurentian University is an integral part of the Sudbury Mining Cluster. In addition to internationally recognised mining giants Vale, Xstrata and KGHM and over 300 mining-related industries that produce over $5 billion in manufactured goods and services annually, the academic credentials of the Sudbury Mining Cluster are anchored by Laurentian University, and French- and English-language colleges.

The Laurentian University campus hosts research partners, MERC, CEMI and MIRARCO, three world-class, mining-related research centres, a research chair in Occupational Health and Safety, a Centre for Rural and Northern Health Research and the Co-operative Freshwater Ecology Unit housed within the Vale Living with Lakes Centre. We are also the host university for the Integrated Multi-Parameter Footprints of Ore Systems research project, involving 42 researchers from 24 universities across Canada and 45 industry collaborators from 27 mining, mineral exploration, and mineral exploration service companies, with approximately $13 million cash and in-kind investments from CMIC and NSERC.

The Ontario Geological Survey Geoscience Laboratories, (Geo Labs) is a high-quality, full service, inorganic materials analytical facility providing analytical services in geochemistry, mineralogy, and reference materials and boasting scanning electron microscope, electron microprobe, X-ray diffraction and LA-ICP-MS instrumentation. The primary focus is on research grade analyses for academic institutions and government geological surveys, including the Ontario Geological Survey, the Geo Labs largest client.

MERC is a semi-autonomous exploration geoscience centre that is affiliated with the Department of Earth Sciences at Laurentian University. It focusses on Precambrian ore systems research, education, and exploration methodology and targeting. MERC comprises an internationally recognized group of researchers from academia, industry and government and has >75 faculty, research scientists, and graduate students working on mineral deposits, Precambrian geology, and exploration methodology and targeting, all housed within offices and labs of the Willet Green Miller Mines and Minerals Research Centre on the LU campus. MERC is governed by an Advisory Board comprised of industry, government and academic leaders.

The Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI) directs and coordinates step-change innovation in the areas of exploration, deep mining, integrated mine engineering, environment and sustainability for the metal mining industry. With a seasoned team of program directors, CEMI identifies, assesses and manages industry-focused applied research & development projects that extend from geology and engineering to the natural sciences. We recognize innovation is a three-phase process: research, development and implementation (R & D, I). With implementation, we turn innovative ideas into best practices. www.miningexcellence.ca

MIRARCO Mining Innovation  is a not-for-profit mining research organization at Laurentian University offering solutions to enhance safety, productivity and sustainability in the global mining industry. It has teams of scientists and engineers in Mining Safety Research (MSR); Geohazard Assessment and Risk Mitigation (GRC); Ventilation and Production Optimization (VPO); Energy Renewable and Carbon Management (ERCM); Environmental Monitoring and Rehabilitation (EMR); and Climate Adaptation and Sustainable Communities (OCCIAR).