Project Metadata

Environmental geosciences investigations were carried out around the former Aldermac Mine, a volcanogenic massive sulphide deposit in the Abitibi region, Quebec.  The study area is representative of both a common mineral deposit and the legacy of historical mining practices.

Surface water and sediment samples were collected from Lac Dassarat and several smaller lakes surrounding it, as well as Rivière Arnoux downstream from the mine.  The data are published in Geological Survey of Canada Open File 7595.

A subset of 25 archived lake sediment samples, collected in the Abitibi region during a large-scale survey in 1971-72 were re-analysed by modern analytical methods.  In 2012, the 25 sites were revisited to collect recent sediments, which were then analysed by the same methods to evaluate elemental concentrations and their spatial distributions in 1971-72 and 40 years later.  The data are published in GSC Open File 8393.

Launched in 2009 and renewed in 2014, the Environmental Geoscience Program is a federal research program that provides innovative scientific information that makes it possible to distinguish between the environmental effects of natural resource development and those produced by natural processes.  As part of this mandate, developing new approaches in geoscience supports the responsible use and development of Canada’s natural resources through informed decision-making.