Bestech invests in Cambrian College BEV Lab

A mining engineering company has made a significant investment in Cambrian College’s new Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) Lab in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.

Bestech committed $50,000 to support the equipment needs of the college’s new lab, which is an extension of the Glencore Centre for Innovation located on the main campus in Sudbury. The lab is expected to play a crucial role in supporting the college’s applied research arm, Cambrian R&D, which includes the Centre for Smart Mining, a specialized research hub.

Engineering firm Bestech has made a contribution to the new industrial Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) Lab at Cambrian College in northern Ontario, Canada. Cambrian also unveiled the new Bestech Electronics Lab, housed within Cambrian R&D’s Centre for Smart Mining. Pictured are (left to right): Dr. Mike Commito, director of Cambrian R&D; Kristi Pugliese, Electrical Engineering student at Cambrian; Patrick Fantin, president of Bestech; Shawn Poland, interim president of Cambrian College. (Photo: Cambrian College)

“Bestech has worked with Cambrian throughout the years because we share the same vision for innovation and economic growth in the north,” said Patrick Fantin, president of Bestech. “This opportunity to invest in the BEV Lab is an excellent example of this vision. We see first-hand the industry shift that is taking place toward the use of BEVs. We believe in the positive impacts of this change, including worker safety and the reduction of CO2 emissions. This lab brings BEV innovation directly to Sudbury and creates opportunities for future generations to become thought leaders within a relatively new trade.”

The 5600 sq, ft. BEV Lab will feature state-of-the-art equipment for BEV prototyping and testing of electric powertrains and batteries. The lab will provide critical data to original equipment manufacturers and end users on the performance characteristics of BEVs as the mining industry continues to incorporate BEVs into the workplace. Construction will be completed in the fall of 2023.

“There is a lot of buzz around BEVs these days, and here at Cambrian, we are a leader when it comes to applied research for large-scale BEVs, as heavy industry looks to become more efficient and carbon-neutral,” said Kristine Morrissey, Cambrian’s incoming president and current vice-president in charge of applied research. “Our community partners like Bestech see the value in our new BEV lab. What happens in that lab will benefit industry, students, faculty, staff, and our environment. We are so grateful to have Bestech’s support.”

The Bestech Electronics Lab was also unveiled. Located within the Glencore Centre for Innovation, the electronics lab houses advanced equipment and technologies. It was created to support industry partners conducting applied research that involves electrical engineering components.

During the opening ceremony, they discussed critical minerals demand and policy, the role of BEVs in mining, industry trends and the pivotal role of BEVs in achieving climate goals.

For 11 years in a row, Cambrian College, through Cambrian R&D, has reportedly made the list of Canada’s Top 50 research colleges, as compiled by Re$earch Infosource.

Based in Sudbury, Bestech is an engineering firm with a strong emphasis on mining that has more than 25 years of experience. In the battery electric vehicle space its services include feasibility studies, designs, capital and operating estimates, energy optimization, power distribution, instrument selection and retrofits.