18/09/2019
Although they share many similarities in terms of processes and outcomes, the MinerALL Challenge and The Mining Hub are two different initiatives. While the first concerns a Samarco-led open innovation project based on one single theme per edition, the second initiative has brought together 23 mining companies so far, as well as suppliers and technology-based initiatives, and is based on six thematic axes. Below, we will detail the main differences between the two.
The first edition of the MinerALL Challenge is directly related to two Samarco commitments. One of them is making use of tailings originating from iron ore beneficiation, provided for in its Economic Reuse Plan (PAE). The other is related to the Economic Diversification Support Program (PADE), which includes: the attraction of business focused on tailings; strengthening the management and entrepreneurship ecosystem; and support for the economic diversification of Ouro Preto and Mariana.
In general terms, its purpose is to model business and scale solutions that can lead the sustainable reuse of tailings to other markets. Therefore, the Challenge aims to build a bridge between technologies and the market through academic entrepreneurship.
The initial phase of this first edition was launched in August 2018, with 414 registrations and 17 teams – each based on one technology – that underwent immersion, business modeling and pre-scaling solutions. Neo Ventures, the corporate accelerator, brought in the methodology that contributes to business planning, environmental and social impact assessment, marketplace needs validation, the definition of the minimum viable product (MVP) and of the project concept, among other milestones. In all, there were more than 35 activities, including mentoring, training and evaluation boards.
Of the 17 original teams, 13 presented their projects at the Demoday pre-acceleration phase on 12/13/18. Of these, six were chosen to proceed to the acceleration and pre-scaling phase and four presented their pitches focused on solutions developed from inert and non-hazardous tailings, belonging to category II B, either mud or sandy tailings. The four finalist teams are considering building a local production setting called the MinerALL Complex, which will be the world’s first tailing reuse complex.
The startups have the interest of institutions, municipalities and companies, as well as agreements with Samarco itself.
The Mining Hub is an initiative that brings together the mining sector, with several participating mining companies (so far 23), Samarco being one of them, suppliers and startups. The objectives are to increase interaction and collaboration among actors of the mining chain, share knowledge and seek joint solutions to common challenges.
One of The Mining Hub’s programs is called M-Start and aims to encourage solutions to challenges in the mining sector, in contact with applied innovation initiatives (startups and technology-based companies). Challenges are presented by participating mining companies and those who receive the most votes have the highest chance of being selected for the M-Start program. The mining companies have the opportunity to sponsor startups, collaborating towards necessary conditions to develop their solutions.
This program is organized around the following thematic axes: social development; operational efficiency; alternative energy sources; water management; waste and tailings management; and operational and SSO security. Its dynamics follow the following timeline:
In addition to the Demodays and Proof of Concept (POC) assessments of the startups, The Mining Hub’s calendar includes several other events such as: C-Hour, dedicated to C-Level executives; innovation workshops; tech days aimed at audiences in areas such as Law, Communication and Supplies; lectures and guided tours, among others.
