The Swedish Mining Innovation SME-network has successfully established a national mining innovation arena that brings together Swedish mining companies and Swedish SMEs to tackle real challenges in the mining sector. The initiative was launched to address a clear gap: SMEs lacked access to the mining industry’s major players, and there were few platforms where new ideas could meet real needs. At the same time, mining companies and technology providers needed to open up for more external innovation in their operations, due to the speed of technology development and in different areas in parallel.
“By helping mining companies articulate their real challenges and connecting them with innovative SMEs, we have created valuable opportunities on both sides – accelerating innovation across the Swedish mining sector.”
– Erik Hagenrud, SME Network Coordinator
Since launch, the arena has facilitated 18 innovation challenges, resulting in 124 submitted proposals. Notably, 64 of these came from actors with no previous connection to the mining industry, which means 52% of the total number of incoming innovations / SMEs were introduced to the Swedish mining eco system for the first time. On average, each challenge attracted 7 innovations.
In close collaboration with our partners; LKAB, Boliden, Viscaria, Kaunis Iron, Zinkgruvan, Epiroc, and Sandvik, the initiative has proven that a well-functioning innovation arena can facilitate collaboration between large and small, accelerate innovation and drive sustainable transformation across the Swedish mining sector.
