John Burrows believes that timing is everything.
"We are at a stage where we have plant designs, we are busy building plants and very quickly being able to take our pilot plants and demonstrate the actual application in the field and that is an entirely new process that we are just about to embark on so the timing is good," said Burrows.
Burrows is the President of Nexco Inc., a mining technology business based in North Bay. The company has developed a revolutionary explosive technology that is greener for the environment and waterproof down the hole.
On Friday, Anthony Rota, Member of Parliament for Nipissing–Timiskaming, announced an unconditionally repayable contribution of $809,000 for Nexco Inc. to help with the development and production of Nexco's new mining explosives technology.
“The Government of Canada is working hard for Northern Ontario," said Rota in a release.
"Today’s investment will ensure the region’s continued excellence in the mining industry by supporting innovation in North Bay and across northeastern Ontario. I’m looking forward to following Nexco’s progress over the coming years as they work to build their business and create good, sustainable employment right here in Nipissing-Timiskaming.”
The funding, provided through FedNor’s Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program, will allow Nexco Inc. to design and construct a small-scale pilot plant to modify explosive-grade ammonium nitrate during the manufacturing process to produce a water-resistant ammonium nitrate particle. The pilot plant will help the company demonstrate the advantages and cost savings of their unique ammonium nitrate product over traditional commercial explosives currently available on the market.
In addition, the funding announced today will help with the design and acquisition of the equipment needed for both Nexco’s laboratory and demonstration plant, which will be used for ongoing testing of their innovative products. The project is expected to create 37 jobs and, once fully complete, it is anticipated that Nexco would be able to produce enough product to supply 11 percent of the North American market for ammonium nitrate.
