Program
Federal
Active
MICA Diamond/Core Drill Rod and Inner Tube Handling Challenge
Mining Innovation Commercialization Accelerator (MICA)
Maximum Funding
No award amount stated — a solution-sourcing challenge, not a...
Submissions close October 31, 2026
Difficulty
Hard
Payment
Not Applicable
Trend
New Program
First-Timers
—
Co-Funding
Varies
MICA Diamond/Core Drill Rod and Inner Tube Handling Challenge provides up to No award amount stated — a solution-sourcing challenge, not a funding call. Project budget is to be determined by the proponent and the operator. MICA challenge seeking machine-based drill rod and inner tube handling concepts for both surface and underground deployment. Submissions close October 31, 2026.
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Eligibility & Details
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Program Description
MICA challenge seeking machine-based drill rod and inner tube handling concepts for both surface and underground deployment. Budget not to exceed $500,000, with initial test volume of 1–2 units.
Eligibility Requirements
- Propose machine-based diamond/core drill rod and inner tube handling concepts
- Submit separate surface and underground deployment concepts
- Ensure the solution is universally adaptable across drill manufacturers with acceptable rig modifications
- Accept that initial test volume is expected to be 1-2 units
- Note the optimization project horizon is approximately 5 years
- Underground handling equipment is limited in size, with a maximum capacity of around 5,000 lb
- Surface rod handlers must be weather resistant for deployment across Canada including the arctic circle, with a target operating range of approximately +40C to -50C
- Underground systems must account for dust, humidity, water and salt exposure as well as temperature variation across mine sites
- Designs must be future-ready for tele-remote operations and the transition toward autonomous drilling
- Create a MICA account to submit a challenge response
- Understand this is a market scan - the mine operator is not currently going through procurement
Provinces
Industries
Business Stage
Quick Assessment
Difficulty
Hard
Competition
High
First-Timer
Not rated
Funding Details
- Amount
- No award amount stated — a solution-sourcing challenge, not a funding call. Project budget is to be determined by the proponent and the operator.
- Type
- Program
- Level
- Federal
- Deadline
- Submissions close October 31, 2026
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
Competition
High
Deadline
Oct 31, 2026
Approval
Varies
Accessibility
--/5
Competition
--/5
Approval Rate
--%
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What's in this Playbook
Everything you need to win MICA Diamond/Core Drill Rod and Inner Tube...
Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.
- 5-document checklist with what each reviewer is actually checking
- 4-step application timeline with prep hours per step
- Insider tip from program officers on what separates winners
- Success profile + evaluation criteria — exactly what reviewers score on
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How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
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Insider TipSubmit separate surface and underground concepts; surface solutions must handle 3 m, 6 m, and 9 m rods while underground solutions use 3 m rods, and designs must be adaptable across drill manufacturers.
Success Profile
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Evaluation Criteria
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Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
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4 steps
5 docs
Application Steps
1
Review the operating context and requirements Read the operating context, technical and operational requirements and project constraints, including rod lengths (3 m underground; 3 m, 6 m and 9 m on surface), the ~5,000 lb underground equipment cap and the approximately +40C to -50C operating range.
Required Documents 5
✓ Technical concept or design
✓ Development plan
Intake Periods
Deadline Notes
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Funding Stack Strategy
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Combined Funding Potential
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Clawback Risk
Not-applicable Risk
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How MICA Diamond/Core Drill Rod and Inner Tube... Compares
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Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about MICA Diamond/Core Drill Rod and Inner Tube...
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Is the $500,000 figure a grant I would receive?
No. MICA states the project budget 'is to be determined but should not exceed $500,000'. That is a ceiling on the solution's cost, not an award paid to a respondent - no award amount is stated anywhere on the page.
Do I need one design or two separate designs?
Two. MICA asks for one machine design specifically for surface and one specifically for underground, and states the two concepts will most likely be very different.
When do submissions close for this drill rod challenge?
Submissions close October 31, 2026, with testing through 2027. MICA also notes the wider drill optimization project is expected to continue for the next 5 years.
Does my technology need to be commercially ready today?
No. MICA states the mine operator is open to lower TRL and potentially aiding companies to develop technology if it is the right solution. Initial test volume is expected to be one or two units.
How big is the opportunity beyond the first test units?
MICA states the mine operator alone operates around 150 to 200 diamond drills on its properties and that the opportunity is scalable to the Canadian market.
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Full Playbook: MICA Diamond/Core Drill Rod and Inner Tube...
4 steps · 5 docs · reviewer insights