Abstract:

The wide range of geoscientific and socio-economic challenges associated with mining and mine-waste management necessitates a cross-disciplinary integrated approach to characterization and remediation design from industry, government, and researchers. Through consideration of the various aspects of mine waste management, including geochemistry, mineralogical and physical parameters and remediation approaches and assessment at all stages of a mine life cycle, a holistic approach to mine waste management can be envisioned and implemented. TERRE-NET (Towards Environmentally Responsible Resource Extraction Network) was initiated through the NSERC funded Strategic Grants for Networks program. TERRE-NET integrates leading researchers from universities across Canada, working in the fields of geochemistry, hydrogeology, mineralogy, biogeochemistry, waste-water processing, geotechnical engineering, nanotechnology, environmental microbiology, resource economics, environmental sociology, and Indigenous interactions. TERRE-NET includes partners from industry, government, and non-governmental organizations and domestic and international collaborators. Although collaborative research programs have greatly enhanced scientific understanding of mine-waste evolution, and innovative remediation strategies have been developed and evaluated, the TERRE-NET program is unique in the diversity research groups and the integration of research efforts. Extensive field- and laboratory-based research conducted by over 80 undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and research technicians through the 7-year TERRE-NET program led to the publication of more the 50 journal articles and 80 conference presentations. Cross-disciplinary research programs were conducted at several significant mine sites including, the Faro Mine (YT) and Raglan Mine (QC); case studies of the work conducted at these two sites will be used to illustrate the scope of research conducted through the TERRE-NET program.

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Brenda Parlee