Government - University – Industry A Triumvirate for Innovation & Growth

2. Canada in 3-D Government - University – Industry A Triumvirate for Innovation & Growth

3. 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

4. What is...

5. Lithoprobe Is… • A national earth science research project • 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

6. 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

7. Multidisciplinary • Spearheaded by seismic reflection techniques • Geology, geochemistry and other geophysics

8. 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)

9. 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

10. Canada

11. Geological Map of Canada

14. Lithoprobe Partnerships • Formal with GSC (a primary Lithoprobe partner) • 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 • Formal & informal with industry • Arranged as needed to fit research and company needs

15. NSERC and GSC Support

17. “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

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

19. “Person Years” of Participation

20. 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

21. Difficulties In Establishing Partnerships • Extracting funds from industry • 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 • Bureaucracy associated with partnership arrangements • Often a lack of clear and enticing incentives for industry partners

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

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

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

25. Example 1: Petroleum exploration industry

27. Example 2: Base metal mining exploration

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

30. Economic Benefits New data and interpretations leadto new petroleum discovery

31. 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 2: 3-D high resolution seismic reflection method for mineral exploration

32. Example 1

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

35. Trill geology with 3-D survey grid

36. SIC Sub-layer Footwall complex

38. 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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40. Cascadia Seismogenic Zone

41. Canada in 3-D Government - University – Industry Partnerships Do Lead To…

42. Technical Innovation

43. Economic Growth

44. Social Benefits

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