NSERC / Syncrude Industrial Research Chair in Mine Closure Geochemistry

NSERC/Syncrate工业研究主席马修·B·J·林赛博士的矿山关闭地球化学 将更好地了解关闭矿山内油砂矿山废物的地球化学 风景画。油砂开采已经扰乱了加拿大阿尔伯塔省北部超过950平方公里的土地，并将 利用已批准的新开发项目再干扰450平方公里。目前，只有不到10%的受干扰地区 被永久回收，只有1平方公里获得了认证。油砂矿山复垦的目标 是创造出土地能力相当于开采前条件的矿山关闭景观。最终关闭 景观将有多个相互关联的地貌，由各种矿山废物和覆盖材料创造。 流经这些地貌的水最终会排放到环境中。因此，理解 这些物质在矿山关闭景观中的地球化学特征和演化对 最大限度地减少与油砂开发相关的长期环境和金融风险。这项研究 将侧重于活性废物的地球化学性质，如泡沫处理尾矿(FTT)，以及它们如何相互作用 在封闭式景观中使用其他材料。具体研究活动分为四个相关主题：(1) 固体废物矿物学和地球化学；(2)封闭地貌的地球化学演化；(3) 活性废物的地球化学稳定化；(4)封育景观中的被动式水处理。这 研究将探索减少这些对水质的负面影响的策略。总体而言，这项研究将 减少油砂开采对环境的影响和经济负担，以确保加拿大人能够继续 未来受益于油砂开发。

The NSERC/Syncrude Industrial Research Chair in Mine Closure Geochemistry for Dr. Matthew B. J. Lindsay will provide a better understanding of the geochemistry of oil sands mine wastes within mine closure landscapes. Oil sands mining has disturbed more than 950 km2 of land in northern Alberta, Canada, and will disturb a further 450 km2 with approved new developments. Currently, less than 10 % of the disturbed area has been permanently reclaimed and only 1 km2 has received certification. The goal of oil sands mine reclamation is to create mine closure landscapes with land capability equivalent to pre-mining conditions. Final closure landscapes 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, understanding the geochemical characteristics and evolution of these materials within mine closure landscapes is critical for minimizing long-term environmental and financial risks associated with oil sands development. This research will focus on the geochemistry of reactive wastes, such as froth treatment tailings (FTT), and how they interact with 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. This research will explore strategies to reduce these negative impacts on water quality. Overall, this research will reduce the environmental impact and financial liability of oil sands mining to ensure Canadians can continue to benefit from oil sands development in the future.