Bas de vignette : Bruno Bussière, Li Li, Vincent Rousson, Maud Cohen,…
ROUYN-NORANDA, QC, Nov. 9, 2026 /CNW/ — The Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT) and Polytechnique Montréal are proud to announce the renewal of the RIME UQAT-Polytechnique Consortium; this renewal brings about the third phase of partnership, after 14 years of research in mining environments. Teams from the UQAT Research Institute on Mines and the Environment (RIME) and from the Department of Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering at Polytechnique Montréal will continue their work, thanks to a new $12.95M financial commitment over seven years from six mining partners: Agnico Eagle Mines, IAMGOLD Corporation, Dhilmar Éléonore, Eldorado Gold Québec, Glencore Mine Raglan, and Rio Tinto.
The RIME UQAT-Polytechnique Consortium, formerly known as RIME UQAT-Polytechnique, focusses its research on the protection of the environment, and on mine waste management, throughout the entire life cycle of a mine. This innovative partnership enables leading-edge research to be conducted: research that meets industrial, governmental, and social needs. The Consortium relies on an extensive team of high-level experts, including more than 25 professors, among them its scientific co-directors, tenured professors Bruno Bussière (RIME-UQAT) and Li Li (Polytechnique Montréal).
Their work can be broken down into several key themes, including the mine site reclamation and closure, the circular economy, the geotechnical and environmental stability of mine waste storage sites, wind erosion and contaminant transport, revegetation, biodiversity, and the prediction, processing, and management of mine water. Cross-cutting themes also exist, specifically climate change, mining works behaviour modelling, development of innovative monitoring and characterization methods, as well as knowledge-sharing with communities.
A close partnership, for almost 15 years
The Consortium was established in 2013 with the conviction that partnership between university and industrial sectors would improve mining companies’ environmental performance. Before long, this innovative partnership became the benchmark in the mining industry. The longevity and the scope of this partnership generate a great deal of interest in research circles and from industrial partners.
“One of the unique things about this research program is its multidisciplinary approach. The expertise we have is varied, and our researchers are well known in their fields of expertise. Our research infrastructure is on the cutting edge and our work is carried out in the field, as well as in the lab. Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Northern Quebec are our backyard, and our partners have opened their doors to us, enabling us to test our hypotheses and our solutions on their sites.”
- Bruno Bussière, tenured professor, UQAT
“For nearly 15 years, the RIME UQAT-Polytechnique Consortium has shown the value of ongoing collaboration between university and industrial sectors. By bringing together complementary expertise and committed partners, we develop knowledge and solutions that contribute to reducing the environmental footprint of mining activities, at the same time training the next generation of industry experts. The renewal of this partnership confirms the relevance of our research and reinforces the role that Quebec and Canada play as leaders in the growth of responsible mining.”
- Li Li, associate professor in mining engineering, Polytechnique Montréal.
“Agnico Eagle has been a proud partner of the Consortium since its founding. Renewing our partnership for the next seven years demonstrates our desire to continue developing a world-class centre of excellence in Quebec that is capable of addressing environmental challenges throughout the entire mining life cycle. One of the major advantages of this collaboration is the ability to apply concepts developed in the laboratory to the field through access to real sites, including Agnico Eagle’s. Over the years, the Consortium has also allowed us to leverage the expertise of highly qualified staff with a deep understanding of the environmental challenges our industry faces. Beyond our financial support, our teams are actively involved in many projects, demonstrating just how much we value this partnership.”
- Michel Julien, Vice President, Environmental Matters, Agnico Eagle Mines Limited.
“This partnership represents exactly the kind of impact that Westwood and IAMGOLD wish to generate. By investing in research, by sharing our expertise, and by helping to train the next generation, we are building something that goes well beyond our own operations. It’s the reason we do what we do: Create shared prosperity while moving forward, together. Together, we build stronger, more resilient communities. Together, we change our industry, making it more responsible, and forward-looking every day.”
- Luc Joncas, Chief Executive Officer, Westwood Mine, and Vice-President, Québec, IAMGOLD
“We are proud to renew our commitment to the RIME UQAT-Polytechnique Consortium. A mine’s environmental performance is based on its entire life cycle, from exploration to closure. To make advancements, we need solid scientific knowledge, developed and validated in the field, that meets today’s industry needs. This partnership also trains the next generation, those our industry will need to take up tomorrow’s environmental challenges.”
- Geneviève Pepin, Director of Sustainability and External Relations, Dhilmar – Éléonore
“As a company with deep roots in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Eldorado Gold Québec is pleased to support an internationally recognized centre of excellence that trains the next generation of specialists and develops practical solutions for a more sustainable mining industry. This partnership will create value for our organization and for the mining sector in Quebec as a whole.”
- Dany Boisvert, Chief Executive Officer, Lamaque Mining Complex, Eldorado Gold Québec
“The RIME UQAT-Polytechnique Consortium has been a strategic partner with the Raglan Mine since 2013. This long-standing partnership allows us to access scientific expertise of an international calibre, and to develop innovative approaches to solving environmental challenges, including those in Northern Quebec. The work carried out with respect to mine waste management, stability of mining works, and adaptation to climate change contribute directly to the design of sustainable solutions intended to protect the territory and the environment over the long term, well beyond the life cycle of our operations.”
- Isabelle Lapierre, Director, Environment, Community Engagement and Governance, Glencore Raglan Mine.
“As a founding partner of Consortium, Rio Tinto is proud to renew its commitment for a third phase, continuing a long-standing collaboration focused on mining environmental research and innovation. This partnership aims to support research activities and knowledge development to improve environmental practices across the mining industry.”
- Didier Arseguel, Vice President Technology, Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium.
Key facts about the first two phases (2013 to 2026)
Since its creation in 2013, the Consortium has benefited from a total investment of $21.25M from its industrial partners. More than 50 research projects have been conducted, allowing hypotheses to be tested, guides to be developed, the efficiency of methods to be evaluated, and contributions to be made to the establishment of responsible practices in the mining industry.
Over the years, the work of the research team has also been recognized for what it has contributed to the field. The Consortium has contributed to the training of a highly qualified next generation of experts, with nearly 200 individuals earning their master’s or doctorate degrees, and more than 100 placements having occurred. Research teams are also supported by partners from Quebec, Canada, and abroad. The Consortium attracts students from around the world who join with it to expand their knowledge and their expertise in mining environments.
Including financial contributions from various funding agencies, nearly $43 million has been invested over the course of the first two phases. To date, the work of the Consortium has resulted in the publication of more than 500 scientific papers, disseminated to national and international audiences.
SOURCE Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT)
