Government - University – Industry A Triumvirate for Innovation & Growth

Insights Gained From the Lithoprobe Project Dr. Ron M. Clowes, C.M., F.R.S.C. Lithoprobe and Department of Earth & Ocean Sciences University of British Columbia Vancouver, Canada

Lithoprobe Is…  A national earth science research project To investigate the three-dimensional structure and evolution of Canada’s landmass and continental margins To investigate the three-dimensional structure and evolution of Canada’s landmass and continental margins By probing the lithosphere, earths relatively cold, strong, rigid outer shell which is typically 100 km or more thick By probing the lithosphere, earths relatively cold, strong, rigid outer shell which is typically 100 km or more thick

Why Lithoprobe?  To gain a basic understanding of the continent on which we live, from which we derive resources and which generates natural hazards  To obtain regional background information useful to mining and petroleum industries

Multidisciplinary  Spearheaded by seismic reflection techniques  Geology, geochemistry and other geophysics

Collaborative Research  32 universities across Canada  Federal & provincial/territorial geological surveys  Mining & petroleum industries  International involvement  About 800 scientists active at some time (~450 are grad students, PDF’s, research associates or undergrad students)

Decentralized Research  10 transects or study areas aimed at key, representative geological targets  Vancouver Island to Newfoundland and the U.S.A. border to Yukon and Northwest Territories  Spans geological time from 4000 million years to present  Multidisciplinary transect teams centered at locations across Canada

Canada

Geological Map of Canada

Lithoprobe Partnerships  Formal with GSC (a primary Lithoprobe partner) Research Networks Element of Research Partners Program at NSERC Research Networks Element of Research Partners Program at NSERC  Informal with provincial geological surveys Alignment of their research to coincide with Lithoprobe activities in their jurisdiction Alignment of their research to coincide with Lithoprobe activities in their jurisdiction  Formal & informal with industry Arranged as needed to fit research and company needs Arranged as needed to fit research and company needs

NSERC and GSC Support

“In Kind” Industry Contributions  Valuable source of data, information and technical support  Ideas and time from participating personnel  Equipment relevant to research  Data and information not available in other ways

Example “In Kind” Contributions  Crustal reflection data from petroleum exploration industry Estimated value of $6,000,000 Estimated value of $6,000,000  Potential field and drill core data in eastern Manitoba from base- metal mining industry Breakthrough in geological understanding Breakthrough in geological understanding Estimated value of $1,000,000 Estimated value of $1,000,000  Access to, and drill core samples from, existing mines  Kimberlite samples from diamond mining industry

“Person Years” of Participation

Initiating Successful Partnerships  Common or complementary objectives  Mutual respect for interests of each participant  Flexibility within organizations and willingness to take some risks  Special efforts in “selling” new ideas, particularly to industry  Individual “champions” for promotion to companies and for making case within companies

Difficulties In Establishing Partnerships  Extracting funds from industry Often active personnel are supportive but management is not Often active personnel are supportive but management is not  Convincing industry of long term value of the research In contrast to specific and short term company objectives In contrast to specific and short term company objectives  Bureaucracy associated with partnership arrangements  Often a lack of clear and enticing incentives for industry partners

Maintaining Successful Partnerships  Establishment of TRUST  Respect confidentiality agreements  Keep open communication lines among all partners  Adhere to established schedules  Work within established budget

The Benefits Of Partnerships Government – University – Industry Scientific Benefits Economic Benefits Social Benefits

Scientific Benefits  Regional context for improved understanding Example 1: Petroleum exploration industry Example 1: Petroleum exploration industry Example 2: Base-metal mining exploration Example 2: Base-metal mining exploration

Example 1: Petroleum exploration industry

Example 2: Base metal mining exploration

Economic Benefits  New technology spin-offs GSC/Lithoprobe seismic refraction/earthquake recording seismographs GSC/Lithoprobe seismic refraction/earthquake recording seismographs Technology transferred to Scintrex (Toronto) Technology transferred to Scintrex (Toronto) Worldwide sales exceed $2,000,000 Worldwide sales exceed $2,000,000 GSC deep/ultra deep electromagnetic sounding systems GSC deep/ultra deep electromagnetic sounding systems Technology transferred to Phoenix Geophysics (Toronto) Technology transferred to Phoenix Geophysics (Toronto) Systems sold worldwide Systems sold worldwide Systems used in contract surveys, national & international Systems used in contract surveys, national & international

New data and interpretations lead to new petroleum discovery Economic Benefits

 Technological innovation for the base metal and uranium mining industries Example 1: 2-D high resolution seismic reflection method for mineral exploration Example 1: 2-D high resolution seismic reflection method for mineral exploration Example 2: 3-D high resolution seismic reflection method for mineral exploration Example 2: 3-D high resolution seismic reflection method for mineral exploration

Example 1

Example 2: Location map of the Trill 3-D survey and borehole geophysical logs in the Sudbury structure

Trill geology with 3-D survey grid

SIC Sub-layer Footwall complex

Social Benefits  Improved understanding of earthquake hazards on Canada’s west coast  Training of HQP in an environment of collaborative and multidisciplinary studies

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Government - University – Industry Partnerships Do Lead To…

Technical Innovation

Economic Growth

Social Benefits

Thank You Ron M. Clowes Lithoprobe and Department of Earth & Ocean Sciences University of British Columbia Vancouver, Canada