The strength of the MER Society to reach and excel in its objectives is always due to the strong sense of duty and service, commitments, efforts and work of the general members and the members of the Executive Committee. MER professionals continuously provide knowledge, expertize, guidance, leadership, their time and most importantly, with care and due diligence, to ensure an ongoing improvement of the mining sector and the global society.

If you have any questions or require more information contact us at mers@cim.org or any of the MER Executives. 

The objectives of the Maintenance, Engineering and Reliability (MER) Society are:

To provide a forum for Society members to share their knowledge and seek information on maintenance and engineering topics within the Society, throughout the rest of CIM, and with external bodies;

• • To promote the improvement of maintenance and engineering standards through peer review of technical papers, public and private industry presentations of technology and best practice topics;
• • To encourage individuals to join the mining industry through the award of scholarships;
• • To provide recognition for engineering and maintenance excellence, participation and contribution through awards;
• • To serve as a resource and support body to mine operating personnel, consulting engineers and designers, and suppliers of mine equipment;
• • To improve safety and minimize risks through the application of engineering principles and maintenance practice in the mining industry, by promoting the adoption of approved methods and devices. 

The engineering disciplines covered by the Society are the fields of Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Electronics, Instrumentation, Chemical, Computer Sciences, Material Sciences, Manufacturing and related disciplines.

Historical Background

In 1898 the organization now known as the Canadian Institute of Mines, Minerals and Petroleum (CIM) was incorporated through an act of the Parliament of Canada. Since its inception over a century ago the CIM continues to grow while sustaining its vision of being the leading and preferred technical society providing world class professional development, networking and knowledge sharing for everyone from students to all professionals working in the minerals, metals, materials and energy industries. 

In 1961, the CIM Council approved formation of the Mechanical-Electrical Division. In 1984 the name was changed to the Maintenance and Engineer Division. At the  March 2013 CIM Council meeting, the name was again updated to the Maintenance, Engineering and Reliability Society (MERS). During the past 50 years of existence the Maintenance Engineering and Reliability Society (MERS) name was updated to reflect a widening and growing mandate due to the increasing use of technology, innovation, research and complexity in all aspects of the mining, milling, smelting and refining processes. 

The MERS provides members a forum to share information, knowledge and experiences including research on maintenance, engineering and reliability topics not only among themselves, but with other CIM societies, branches, groups along with many other external bodies including all governments, non-government organizations, associations, research groups and academia. The MERS and its members actively promote the improvement of maintenance and engineering standards, best practices and innovation to increase safety, reliability and operational efficiency. The MERS also interfaces and actively participates with other organizations that specialize and focus on reducing the environmental impact of all mining activities for a cleaner safer world. 

The MERS objectives are achieved through organizing, participating or supporting a number of activities but specifically through three major ongoing initiatives. Firstly, the MER encourages writing, submitting and then providing peer review of technical papers for publication and or presentation at the annual CIM CONNECT, the Mine Engineering and Mine Operators (MEMO) conferences and at other conferences, meetings and forums as requested. Secondly, MERS members administer award and scholarship programs to recognize students’ efforts and to meet some their needs during their studies. Similarly the MERS also provide and support awards to recognize other individuals, companies and organizations for their contributions to the improvement of maintenance and engineering standards, presentations of new technology, best practices topics and research that would lead to the betterment and advancement of the mining sector. Thirdly, MERS members serve as a resource and support body in the application of engineering principles and maintenance practices in employing approved practices and devices to minimize risk, and improve safety, reliability and efficiency of all mining operations. 

The strength of the MER Society to reach and excel in its objectives is always due to the strong sense of duty and service, commitments, efforts and work of the general members and the members of the Executive Committee. MER professionals continuously provide knowledge, expertize, guidance, leadership, their time and most importantly, with care and due diligence, to ensure an ongoing improvement of the mining sector and the global society.