NSERC / Syncrude Industrial Research Chair in Mine Closure Geochemistry

NSERC/Syncrate为Matthew B.J.Lindssay博士举办的矿山关闭地球化学工业研究讲座将使人们更好地了解矿山关闭景观中油砂矿山废物的地球化学。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，并将随着批准的新开发项目进一步扰乱450平方公里的土地。目前，只有不到10%的受干扰区域被永久围垦，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。最终的闭合地貌将有多种相互关联的地貌，这些地貌是由各种矿山废料和覆盖物形成的。流经这些地貌的水最终将排放到环境中。因此，了解这些物质在矿山关闭景观中的地球化学特征和演化，对于确定与油砂开发有关的长期环境和金融风险至关重要。这项研究将集中在活性废物的地球化学性质，如泡沫处理尾矿(FTT)，以及它们如何与封闭式景观中的其他材料相互作用。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)封闭地貌的地球化学演变；(3)活性废物的地球化学稳定；(4)封闭景观中的被动式水处理。这项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.