By Clyde Deletsu and Lesley McGilp, International Minerals Innovation Institute (IMII)
Driving technology forward in the minerals industry
As Saskatchewan’s potash and broader minerals sector continue to evolve, the demand for safer, more reliable, and more sustainable mining technologies grows stronger each year. Meeting these demands requires new ideas, new partnerships, and a clear pathway for getting innovations out of the workshop and into the field.
Enter DEMOday: a flagship innovation platform developed by the International Minerals Innovation Institute (IMII) in association with the Saskatchewan Industrial and Mining Suppliers Association (SIMSA). Since the initial event in 2018 to present, DEMOday has connected solution providers—ranging from start‑ups and inventors to established supply‑chain companies—with IMII member companies which include some of the province’s largest mineral producers.
What began as an experiment in collaborative problem‑solving has grown into one of Saskatchewan’s most influential mining‑innovation events.
A purpose‑built pathway for innovation
DEMOday exists to address real operational challenges faced by Saskatchewan’s mining industry. The event gives innovators the opportunity to pitch technologies with the potential to improve safety, sustainability, productivity, reliability, or operational efficiency.
Technologies presented at DEMOday may include early‑stage concepts or mock‑ups, software tools or simulations, equipment prototypes, and full pre‑commercial or field‑ready systems.
But all must demonstrate clear industry value. This could include reducing downtime, improving worker safety, enhancing predictive maintenance, or lowering a mine’s environmental footprint.
For companies selected to present, DEMOday creates opportunities for collaboration with major mining operators including field trials and technology validation, potential funding support, accelerated commercialization and long‑term supplier relationships within the Saskatchewan mining ecosystem.
“Being a part of DEMOday was an awesome experience,” said Rockford Engineering Works, IDEATE 2025 presenter. “You don’t get many opportunities to stand in front of industry leaders and showcase your skills.”
DEMOday past innovation award winners
Since inception in 2018, IMII has received a total of 122 applications and facilitated 49 pitches for DEMOday. Below is a summary of the past winners, a number of which have gone on to be trialed through IMII member-funded projects or directly adopted by the Saskatchewan mining sector.
Prior Year DEMOday Innovation Award Winners
| Year | Company | Award Category | Description |
| 2018 | Prairie Machine & Parts Mfg. (PMP) | Innovation | PMP’s Hardrock Gopher prototype – electric mine vehicle |
| 2019 | Continental Mine & Industrial Supply Ltd. | Best New Technology Product | DC-54-UG Underground Dust Collection |
| 2020 | Ionic Mechatronics | Innovation | SafeBox automated energy isolation system |
| 2022 | 2S Water | Innovation | Aquavalid Sensor for real-time metal detection in water |
| 2023 | Extract Energy | Innovation | Heat engine to harvest low-grade industrial heat |
| 2024 | Polycontrols Technologies Inc. | Innovation | Cold spray hybrid additive manufacturing technology |
| 2024 | Metaspectral | Most Actionable Innovation | ORES hyperspectral ore evaluation system. |
| 2025 | Vital Design Solutions Inc. | Breakthrough Innovation | VDS Polymer Exchanger for Exhaust Heat Recovery |
| 2025 | Renix Inc. | Impact Innovation | RenixUIX™, Steady-State Ion Exchange Platform for Critical Metals Recovery and Fit-for-Use Water |
| 2025 | Rockford Engineering Works | Impact Innovation | Live Conveyor Roller Replacement technology |
2026: New strategic themes, new opportunities
The list of prior DEMOday award winners provides a window into the innovation areas industry is interested in pursuing, though these interests shift over time for a variety of reasons. Each year IMII publishes information on industry’s needs to help solution providers identify innovations to pitch to industry when they submit their DEMOday applications. The 2026 DEMOday program aligns with IMII’s renewed innovation strategy, focused on three strategic drivers — safety, reliability, and sustainability —across four major mining domains: Underground Mining, Milling & Processing Technology, Exploration Technology, and Big Project Efficiency.
Important dates for DEMOday 2026
- Launch: April 16, 2026 at the Saskatchewan Mining Supply Chain Forum
- DEMOday Application Deadline: May 29, 2026
- Successful Applicants Notified: Early July 2026
- DEMOday Event: September 10, 2026
In their DEMOday application submissions, applicants are asked to provide clear descriptions of their technology, its readiness level, and how it aligns with IMII’s stated priorities.
Looking ahead
DEMOday 2026 continues IMII’s commitment to strengthening Saskatchewan’s mining innovation ecosystem—bringing together the boldest thinkers and the most pressing operational needs of the province’s mineral producers.
For innovators, it is a unique opportunity to gain visibility for their ideas and technology tailored to address real‑world challenges, and secure industry support.
For mining companies, it is a strategic platform to identify new technologies that can transform the way the industry operates.
As Saskatchewan’s mining sector positions itself for the future, DEMOday will remain a critical catalyst for the innovations that shape it.
