Industry injections support MDRU program

Rio Algom and the Vancouver Stock Exchange recently made

sizable contributions to the endowment fund of the University of British Columbia’s Mineral Deposits Research Unit (MDRU), though neither organization would disclose the size of their respective donations.

The MDRU was founded in 1989 as a joint initiative between the mining industry and the university. Its mandate is to increase knowledge about mineral deposits and assist the mining industry with locating and developing mineral resources worldwide.

The principal function of the MDRU is the initiation and organization of research projects. To date, the program has organized eight such projects, which were developed jointly by industry sponsors, university faculty, senior research associates, post-doctoral fellows and graduate students.

Contributors usually contribute 2-5% of a research project’s budget; a typical budget averages $1 million. In return, the contributors gain access to the data generated by the research.

Says C.K. O’Connor, Rio Algom’s vice-president of exploration: “The MDRU emphasizes the practical aspects of research with the goal of taking those results and applying them in the field. It represents a wonderful partnership among the University of British Columbia, MDRU and the exploration and mining industry. The benefits of MDRU can be seen both in Canada and abroad.”

The MDRU’s endowment fund is intended to ensure the continuity and stability of the research group. In a campaign to raise $3 million, about $500,000 has been amassed to date.

The University of British Col-umbia says it will match the first $1 million in industry funding.

The MDRU manages a resource centre in the university’s Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences, which features a database, research equipment and professional help to assist in acquiring and presenting information.

The MDRU now consists of more than 40 corporate and associate members from Canada, the U.S., Australia and South Africa.