Many R & D activities are under way. The mining sector has one of the highest R & D budgets. I'm quite certain officials never feel that they have reached their goal. Research efforts are ongoing. The latest technology must always be used. Deposits are located ever further underground and new technologies are needed to extract the ore. Laurentian University in the Sudbury region has established a partnership with the industry. Corporations such as MIRARCO and CAMIRO spend substantial amounts of money to ensure that the best technologies are available to mining companies.
On October 3rd, 2006. See this statement in context.