NSERC / Syncrude Industrial Research Chair in Mine Closure Geochemistry

NSERC/合成原油工业研究主席在矿山关闭地球化学博士马修B。J.林赛 将更好地了解关闭矿井内油砂矿废物的地球化学 的风景.油砂开采已经扰乱了加拿大北方阿尔伯塔的950多平方公里的土地， 另外450平方公里的土地被批准进行新的开发。目前，只有不到10%的受干扰地区 被永久开垦，只有1平方公里获得认证。油砂矿复垦的目标 是创造土地能力相当于采矿前条件的矿山关闭景观。最终关闭 景观将有多个连接的地形从各种矿山废物和覆盖层材料创建。 流经这些景观的水最终将排入环境。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 最大限度地减少与油砂开发相关的长期环境和财务风险。本研究 将侧重于反应性废物的地球化学，如泡沫处理尾矿（FTT），以及它们如何相互作用 与其他材料在封闭景观。具体的研究活动分为四个相关的主题：（1） 固体废物矿物学和地球化学;（2）截流地貌的地球化学演化;（3） 反应性废物的地球化学稳定化;（4）封闭景观中的被动水处理。这 研究将探讨减少这些对水质的负面影响的战略。总的来说，这项研究将 减少油砂开采的环境影响和财务责任，以确保加拿大人能够继续 在未来的油砂开发中受益。

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.