| Title | Geoenvironmental characteristics of Canadian critical metal deposits / Caractéristiques géoenvironnementales de gisements métalliques critiques au Canada |
| Download | Download (whole publication) |
| |
| Licence | Please note the adoption of the Open Government Licence - Canada
supersedes any previous licences. |
| Author | Parsons, M |
| Source | Public presentations of May 8th, 2018: Environmental Geoscience Program, current status of research projects, May 2018; by Jacob, N; Kao, H; Galloway, J; Parsons, M; White, D; Larmagnat, S; Rivard, C; Gammon, P; Savard, M M; Geological Survey of Canada, Scientific Presentation 88, 2018 p. 35-58, https://doi.org/10.4095/308296  Open Access |
| Year | 2018 |
| Publisher | Natural Resources Canada |
| Document | serial |
| Lang. | English |
| Media | on-line; digital |
| Related | This publication is contained in Public presentations of May
8th, 2018: Environmental Geoscience Program, current status of research projects, May 2018 |
| File format | pdf |
| Province | Quebec |
| NTS | 31G/08 |
| Area | Oka |
| Lat/Long WENS | -74.5000 -74.0000 45.5000 45.2500 |
| Subjects | environmental geology; economic geology; geochemistry; mineralogy; hydrogeology; environmental studies; environmental impacts; mineral deposits; metals; pyrochlore; antimony; cobalt; indium; lithium;
niobium; rare earths; mining; tailings; mine waste products; smelting; trace element geochemistry; fluorides; radionuclides; uranium; thorium; groundwater; surface waters; water quality; water quality analyses; radon; bedrock geology; lithology;
carbonatites; drainage systems; weathering; precipitates; sovites; apatite; carbonates; leaching; pore water samples; slag; limnology; geophysical logging; temperature; conductivity; oxygen; St. Lawrence Columbium Mine; Environmental hazards; Health
hazards; Environmental management; Decision making |
| Illustrations | photographs; aerial photographs; photomicrographs; spectra; profiles; graphs |
| Program | Environmental Geoscience
Management |
| Released | 2018 06 27; 2018 07 04 |
| Abstract | In recent years, there has been a rapid increase in the global demand for many elements used in green energy and high-tech applications, including antimony (Sb), cobalt (Co), indium (In), lithium (Li),
niobium (Nb) and the rare earth elements (REE). Canada has abundant resources of these critical elements, however, we know very little about the potential environmental impacts of mining these resources. The primary objective of this study is to
characterize processes controlling the mobility of trace elements and radionuclides in mine wastes and waters at the abandoned St. Lawrence Columbium (SLC) Mine in Oka, Quebec. This mine operated from 1961 to 1976 and at the time was one of the
largest Nb producers in the world.
In FY 17-18, GSC scientists continued sampling mine wastes, groundwater and surface waters at the SLC Mine and initiated collaborative projects with the University of Ottawa (slag leaching) and Queen's University
(waste rock weathering). Results to-date show that most REEs, uranium (U) and thorium (Th) occur in relatively insoluble minerals, but that the slag is reactive and a potential radiological hazard. Radionuclide levels in mine waters are very low, but
elevated levels of fluoride are present in seepage from the tailings. GSC data on slag, groundwater, and pit lake chemistry were shared with the Quebec Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources to help inform ongoing environmental management decisions
for the SLC Mine. Results were also shared in a plain language fact sheet, and in both national and international conference presentations. |
| Summary | (Plain Language Summary, not published)
The Environmental Geoscience Program (EGP) provides scientific research projects by the Geological Survey of Canada to advance knowledge related to the
development of Canada's natural resources. The scientific breakthroughs presented at this annual meeting of the EGP are at the root of responsible resource management by the natural resources sector. The body of research also contributes to the
implementation of regulations that protect Canadians and their environment |
| GEOSCAN ID | 308296 |
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