Backgrounder - Seven Geoscience Research Projects for Yukon

Through the Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development (SINED) program, geoscience research projects in seven targeted investment areas are being funded in Yukon. Total funding for these geoscience projects from the federal government is $250,000.

These projects include targeted placer studies, enhancement of information databases, earthquake monitoring, geophysical data processing, geochemical survey compilation, a geothermal exploration workshop, and data mining. These projects will lead to an improved understanding of Yukon's mineral and energy resources, including Klondike's untapped placer potential. They will also result in improved access to geological information for all stakeholders and an enhanced ability to predict earthquakes. In turn these results will lead to more effective management of resources, a more stable and attractive investment climate in Yukon's resource sector, a more sustainable placer industry in Yukon, and reduction of risk associated with infrastructure investments.

1. Targeted Placer Studies
   CanNor funding: $75,000

   Placer mining, the mining of alluvial deposits for minerals, has been a major contributor to Yukon's economy for more than 100 years. However, production in many creeks in the Klondike is starting to decline. The Targeted Placer Studies comprise five projects led by a number of universities. Collectively, they will assess the amount of unrecovered fine gold in old placer workings, provide insight into the potential for other types of placer deposits in Yukon, and enhance the understanding of erosion history of drainage basins. These projects will help focus resource development in certain areas thereby reducing economic risk for miners and the environmental impact of placer development.

2. Enterprise Database
   CanNor funding: $50,000

   Up to date information is key to future economic investment in resource development exploration. The Yukon Geological Survey (YGS) manages a number of databases which collectively house a wide array of data and metadata related to Yukon geology and resources. In 2008, the YGS undertook a project to combine its various databases in a single corporate, or ‘Enterprise' database. This final phase of the project will complete the testing of the database and build data entry forms.

3. Earthquake Monitoring
   CanNor funding: $40,000

   This project will provide field support to install a seismometer along the Denali fault (Alaska Highway corridor) to monitor earthquakes. As well, several GPS units will be installed to measure incremental displacement along faults in the region. Monitoring and understanding the threat of earthquake activity is critical importance for both infrastructure security and environmental protection.

4. Geophysical Data Re-processing
   CanNor funding: $32,000

   Over the past four years, the YGS has acquired and released significant volumes of airborne magnetic, radiometric, and electromagnetic data. These raw datasets will be re-processed to allow more information to be gleaned from the data. The project includes measuring physical rock properties to better attribute regional data to rock types, levelling of data between surveys, and creating maps showing shaded relief.

5. Regional Geochemical Survey Compilation
   CanNor funding: $25,000

   Over the last 30 years, samples of stream sediment have been collected and metal analyses of this sediment have been completed. The data collected supports both exploration efforts and baseline environmental studies. Advances in analytical precision and the development of new analytical techniques over the past 30 years are some of the challenges posed for using this data. This project will combine and level existing data on stream sediment and water chemistry, including a detailed description of the technique used for levelling.

6. Geothermal Exploration Information
   CanNor funding: $23,000

   This project will arrange a workshop of experts and stakeholders to explore knowledge gaps and information requirements to support the exploration of geothermal resources in Yukon. The sharing of information and knowledge is important to the future of exploration of resources in Yukon.

7. Data Mining
   CanNor funding: $5,000

   The YGS has a number of archived collections of mining and exploration records donated by exploration companies. These archives contain valuable information that is of interest to explorationists and may also contain pre-development data that provides baseline environmental data. This project will create an inventory of existing archives and work with YGS Technical Services to define criteria for prioritizing the scanning of documents to ensure their long-term preservation and allow wider public access to the information.

All projects will generate publicly-available maps, reports and/or data that will be distributed by the Yukon Geological Survey, with the exception of the database project, which will produce a database to house geological data for Yukon.

Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development

The 2009-10 geoscience projects have been funded through the Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development (SINED) program. Canada's Economic Action Plan (Budget 2009) renewed funding for the SINED program at $90 million over five years. Funding available under SINED is divided evenly between the three territories.

SINED is administered by CanNor, the newly established agency responsible for coordinating and delivering federal economic development activities in the territories, and for policy, research and advocacy. This announcement reinforces the Government of Canada's work to advance an integrated Northern Strategy to exercise Canada's Arctic sovereignty, protect the North's environmental heritage, promote social and economic development and improve and devolve northern governance.