Arctic Resources

在过去的十年中，钻石勘探和开采一直是加拿大北部经济发展的主要推动力，每年的经济活动超过20亿美元。为了在现有四个矿山预计10-20年的寿命之后保持这一巨大成功，发现新的钻石矿床至关重要。拟议的研究计划将提供实现这一目标所需的基本输入数据，通过彻底改变我们对加拿大北极地区钻石最终来源——深大陆根的空间范围、年龄和热历史的理解。为了生成这些深层大陆根随着时间演变的第一张详细图片，CERC将结合(1)在北极的实地工作，从火山地沟收集深层起源的稀有岩石样本；(2)用最先进的分析方法对这些样本进行地球化学分析；(3)与一个新的主要政府项目合作-能源和矿物测绘-产生新的地震层析成像数据。由此产生的综合模型将通过确定钻石或其他矿藏的新区域来促进加拿大北极地区的勘探计划和支出。

Over the past decade, diamond exploration and mining have been the paramount drivers of economic development in Canada’s North, accounting for over $2 billion in economic activity annually. To sustain this tremendous success beyond the projected 10-20 year life spans of the four current mines, it is critical to discover new diamond deposits. The proposed research program will provide the fundamental input data needed to achieve this goal by revolutionizing our understanding of the spatial extent, age, and thermal history of the deep continental roots that are the ultimate source of diamonds in Arctic Canada. To generate the first detailed picture of these deep continental roots as they evolved through time, the CERC will combine (1) field work in the Arctic to collect rare rock samples of deep origin from volcanic diatremes, (2) geochemical interrogation of these samples with state-of-the-art analytical methods, and (3) collaboration in a new major government program – Geomapping for Energy and Minerals – producing new seismic tomography data. The resulting comprehensive model will boost exploration programs and expenditures in Arctic Canada by identifying new areas that are prospective for diamonds or other mineral deposits. In addition, innovative micro-sampling techniques developed by the CERC for the analysis and age determination of diamonds will enable the first detailed chemical characterisation of Canada’s diamond production. This research will provide Canada with world-leading technologies to protect the ethical and geographical purity of its diamond production, a feature of Canadian diamonds that collects a significant premium on the world market. The Arctic resources group established by this program will reinvigorate exploration efforts in the North, support the discovery of new natural resources, provide Canada with valuable expertise for developing policies, e.g. relating to the Kimberley Certification Process controlling illicit diamond trade, and, thus, promote social and economic development in the North. Prof. D.G. Pearson, the CERC nominee, is by far the most successful mid-career researcher in the field of mantle and diamond research worldwide. His body of work, 134 peer reviewed publications since 1988, has been cited 2560 times (h-index of 29), with rapidly increasing recognition over the past decade (from 89 to 309 citations/year from 2000 to 2008). Major career milestones include pioneering analytical developments that have revolutionized radiometric dating of minute samples, the quantitative analysis of platinum group elements, and the determination of ultra low abundance trace element concentrations. Dr. Pearson’s innovative discoveries have led to landmark research contributions including the first age determination for diamond genesis based on Re-Os dating of single sulphide inclusions, fundamental insights into the origin and evolution of cratons (ancient continental nuclei) and their mantle roots through time, and the first fully quantitative trace element data for gem diamonds applicable to fingerprinting their geographical origin. His contributions were recognized through two major awards, one national (Wollaston Prize, Geological Society London, 2003) and one international (Lindgren Medal of the Society of Economic Geologists, 1999). Through his indisputable academic excellence, top-ranking international reputation, and established strong links with researchers from industry, government and academia in Canada, Dr. Pearson is the ideal candidate for a CERC in Arctic Resources focussing on diamonds.