In order to compete successfully in this day and age, mining companies are required to focus upon technological innovation. Many new technologies result from the mobilization of high caliber research teams uniting several scientific disciplines or applied skills, and which are capable of assimilating, developing and applying knowledge that evolves very rapidly.

At the same time, fewer mining companies are interested in assuming sole responsibility for taking on the broadly-based R&D work that is indispensable to the improvement of their performance.

This is why they joined COREM, a pre-competitive research consortium whose focus is the processing and transformation of mineral substances. COREM is a non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the competitiveness of industrial operations through development and transfer of technological innovations which are consistent with sustainable development objectives.

Among other benefits, this formula includes:

• Providing members with a shared vision of R&D;
  
• Defining research topics that correspond to their objectives;
  
• Allowing access to pertinent expertise; both within COREM and its partners;
  
• Sharing the costs and risks of R&D;
  
• Collectively benefiting from financial assistance destined for research and technology transfer purposes.
  

In this way, the mining industry can benefit from the results of a pre-competitive research program tailored to fit its needs. Moreover, this program allows the industry to optimize its investments, to avoid the duplication of R&D efforts, and to maintain its position among the leaders in international markets.

COREM began its activities on September 27, 1999 by transfer of staff from the Centre de recherche minérale du gouvernement du Québec, 30 years in existence, to the new organization.

The consortium, which was granted a pre-competitive research visa by the government of Quebec, consists of several mining companies,and the government of Quebec through the Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune. It is directed by a board of directors composed of representatives of member companies, governments and universities.

The pre-competitive research committee (PRC), where all consortium members are represented, plays a central role in COREM activities. This committee meets regularly to choose which research activities to support and to ensure follow-up and monitoring of R&D projects launched under the auspices of the pre-competitive research program.

The representatives are:

	Louis Bienvenu Engineer Ministère des ressources naturelles et de la faune Gouvernement du Québec
	Patrice Nadeau Project Manager - Mineral Processing RTIT QIT-Fer et Titane inc.
	Jean Cayouette Mill Superintendent - LaRonde Division Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd.
	Éloi Godin Project Manager - Operations and Technology ArcelorMittal Mines Canada
	Brigitte Morais Manager – Quality Wabush Mines
	Paul Gover Chief Process Engineer - Pellet Plant Iron Ore Company of Canada
	Mohamed Ourriban Manager - Metallurgy Iamgold Corporation
	Stéphane Poirier Senior Scientist - CRDA Rio Tinto Alcan
	Martin Plante Chief Metallurgist – Matagami Mines Xstrata Zinc
	Willemijn Husslage Researcher Corus R/D & T
Is also on the pre-competitive committee, as observer:
	Tesfaye Negeri A/Program Manager - Mineralogy and Metallurgical Natural Resources Canada (CANMET)

SPECIALISTS AT MEMBERS’ SERVICE

COREM’s strength lies in part in its experienced and creative personnel, and also in fruitful collaboration with its research partners. The success of the broadly-based R&D work performed by COREM's personnel is all the greater due to contributions made by highly qualified collaborators.

Several of the researchers working at COREM have international reputations and have been published.

QUALITY ASSURANCE

Quality Policy COREM is an avant-garde private research consortium that provides a competitive advantage to its members through its research program and the transfer of technologies that result from it. Dedicated to satisfying its members and clients and committed to providing quality results, COREM has implemented two quality management systems whereby its laboratory services meet the highest standards of the industry. The pyrometallurgical characterization laboratory is certified ISO 9001 : 2000 and the analytical laboratory is certified ISO 17025 : 2005. These two systems draw on the following main elements: * Conformity: The commitment of COREM to the highest international standards and methods of the mining industry allows to achieve reliable and reproducible results at the pilot-plant scale as well as in the laboratory; * Dynamic systems: COREM maintains the efficiency of the quality management systems by defining measurable objectives and by encouraging the active participation of every employee. All personnel participating in laboratory activities are familiar with the quality management documentation and apply sound procedures; * A qualified and multidisciplinary team: Continuous skill development allows COREM to fulfil the ever changing needs of the industry; * State-of-the-art equipments and trustful materials: Their availability for testing and analysis enables COREM to deliver timely results that are reliable and meaningful to large scale industrial operations; These systems, compliant with ISO 9001 and ISO 17025 standards, are instrumental in providing a work environment that paves the way to quality improvement, a major asset for COREM when dealing with the new and increasingly demanding challenges of the industry. Yves Harvey, Executive Director July 30, 2008

HEALTH, WORKPLACE SAFEFTY AND ENVIRONMENT

Policy on Health, Workplace Safety and on the Environment COREM manages its operations in order to ensure its employees a safe and sound working place and to preserve the environment. Through several actions, COREM makes all necessary efforts to prevent work injuries and pollution. To do so, COREM is committed to: Managing its activities in compliance with the rules and regulations, as well as being proactive on prevention; Ensuring continuous improvement of its related practices and procedures; Managing health, safety and the environment in a way that is coherent with the overall organization management; Promoting and recognizing participation and performance. Since innovation, learning and multi disciplinarity have always been a strong part of its culture, COREM can rely on the commitment and the accountability of all its employees to reach its objectives regarding the workplace and the environment. Yves Harvey Executive Director June 2007