NSERC / Syncrude Industrial Research Chair in Mine Closure Geochemistry

由马修·b·j·林赛博士担任的NSERC/Syncrude工业研究主席在矿井闭合地球化学方面将提供对矿井闭合景观中油砂矿山废物的地球化学的更好理解。油砂开采已经破坏了加拿大阿尔伯塔省北部超过950平方公里的土地，并且随着新开发项目的批准，将进一步破坏450平方公里的土地。目前，只有不到10%的受干扰地区得到了永久填海，只有1平方公里获得了认证。油砂矿山复垦的目标是创造具有相当于开采前条件的土地容量的闭矿景观。最终的封闭景观将由各种矿山废物和覆盖层材料形成的多个相连的地貌。流经这些景观的水最终会排放到环境中。因此，了解闭矿景观中这些物质的地球化学特征和演化，对于最大限度地减少与油砂开发相关的长期环境和金融风险至关重要。本研究将侧重于活性废物的地球化学，如泡沫处理尾矿（FTT），以及它们如何与封闭景观中的其他物质相互作用。具体的研究活动分为四个相关主题：(1)固体废物的矿物学和地球化学；(2)闭合地貌地球化学演化；(3)活性废物的地球化学稳定；(4)封闭景观被动水处理。本研究将探讨减少这些对水质负面影响的策略。总的来说，这项研究将减少油砂开采对环境的影响和财务责任，以确保加拿大人在未来可以继续从油砂开发中受益。

The NSERC/Syncrude Industrial Research Chair in Mine Closure Geochemistry for Dr. Matthew B. J. Lindsaywill provide a better understanding of the geochemistry of oil sands mine wastes within mine closurelandscapes. Oil sands mining has disturbed more than 950 km2 of land in northern Alberta, Canada, and willdisturb a further 450 km2 with approved new developments. Currently, less than 10 % of the disturbed area hasbeen permanently reclaimed and only 1 km2 has received certification. The goal of oil sands mine reclamationis to create mine closure landscapes with land capability equivalent to pre-mining conditions. Final closurelandscapes will have multiple connected landforms created from various mine waste and overburden materials.Water moving through these landscapes will ultimately discharge to the environment. Therefore, understandingthe geochemical characteristics and evolution of these materials within mine closure landscapes is critical forminimizing long-term environmental and financial risks associated with oil sands development. This researchwill focus on the geochemistry of reactive wastes, such as froth treatment tailings (FTT), and how they interactwith other materials in closure landscapes. Specific research activities fall under four related themes: (1)mineralogy and geochemistry of solid waste materials; (2) geochemical evolution of closure landforms; (3)geochemical stabilization of reactive wastes; and (4) passive water treatment in closure landscapes. Thisresearch will explore strategies to reduce these negative impacts on water quality. Overall, this research willreduce the environmental impact and financial liability of oil sands mining to ensure Canadians can continue tobenefit from oil sands development in the future.