Glaciers have played a significant role in Canada’s landscape, shaping valleys and eroding landscapes across the area. Glacial activity has also had a notable impact on the ability to locate and extract mineral deposits.
How Glacial Activity Impacts Mining
Because of glaciers’ mass and movement, they can play a significant role in creating—and altering—a landscape in an area. This can also have a large impact on mining and exploration.
Unpredictable Mineral Deposits
Glaciers can transport and deposit materials over long distances, carrying rocks and minerals then depositing them in the areas where the glacier melts or recedes. These deposits can be more unpredictable to find than in areas that aren’t impacted by glacial activity and may contain valuable minerals that mining companies may target for exploration and extraction.
Glacial Erosion & Movement
The movement of glaciers can erode the landscape of an area, exposing new rock formations and mineral deposits. In some cases, this can aid in the discovery of new mineral resources, while in others it can make it more difficult to explore or extract minerals in this area due to the challenging terrain created by glacial activity.
Challenging Glacial Features
Glacial features like moraines and permafrost can create obstacles for mining operations. Remote locations, difficult terrain, and unpredictable weather conditions can also make it more challenging and costly to establish and maintain mining infrastructure in glacier-influenced areas.
History of Glacial Activity in Canada
The last glacial period, known as the Wisconsinan glaciation, had a big impact on mining operations in Canada. Massive ice sheets covered significant portions of the country, altering the topography and influencing the distribution of mineral deposits in Canada. Glacial erosion and transport from this period played a pivotal role in dispersing sediments and concentrating minerals throughout the landscape, leading to unique geological formations and challenges related to mining.
One notable impact is the creation of glacial moraines, where sediments transported by glaciers are deposited. These moraines can either hinder or enhance mining operations, as they may contain economically significant mineral concentrations or present challenges in excavation.
Challenges in Exploration and Extraction of Minerals in Canada
The irregular distribution of mineral deposits due to glacial processes poses challenges for mining exploration in Canada. Because the movement of glaciers can redistribute ore bodies, it is often difficult for geologists to predict the exact location of economically viable resources.
Additionally, glacial till, a heterogeneous mixture of rock, sand, and clay left behind by glaciers, can cover potential mineral deposits. Extracting resources from beneath layers of glacial till requires advanced technologies and increased operational expenses, impacting the overall feasibility of mining projects in Canada.
Permafrost, another consequence of glaciation, poses challenges to mining operations in northern Canada. The frozen ground complicates excavation and construction processes, requiring specialized techniques and equipment. The thawing of permafrost due to climate change further adds to the complexity of mining activities.
The uncertainty of the unique landscape of Canada can lead to increased exploration costs and risks for mining companies. In these cases, it is beneficial to have an expert mining & exploration partner in Canada to improve the expertise in a project to help grow the likelihood of success.
Opportunities and Adaptations
Despite the challenges posed by glacial geology, there are opportunities for innovation and adaptation in the Canadian mining industry. The dispersed nature of mineral deposits encourages the development of advanced exploration technologies, such as remote sensing and geophysical surveys, to precisely locate resources. Additionally, the unique geological features left by glaciation can create new prospects for mineral discoveries.
Adapting mining techniques to permafrost conditions is crucial for sustainable resource extraction. Researchers and industry professionals are exploring technologies like thermosyphons and insulated pads to mitigate the impacts of thawing permafrost on infrastructure and operations.
Final Thoughts
The impact of glacial geology on Canadian mining is a complex interplay of challenges and opportunities. Understanding the geological legacy left by past glaciations is crucial for successful resource exploration and extraction. For more information about mining in Canada or to speak with an expert in the industry, please feel free to reach out to Rangefront Mining Services today.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
BRIAN GOSS
President, Rangefront Mining Services
Brian Goss brings over 20 years of experience in gold and mineral exploration. He is the founder and President of Rangefront, a premier geological services and mining consulting company that caters to a large spectrum of clients in the mining and minerals exploration industries. Brian is also a director of Lithium Corp. (OTCQB: LTUM), an exploration stage company specializing in energy storage minerals and from 2014 to 2017, he fulfilled the role of President and Director of Graphite Corp. (OTCQB: GRPH), an exploration stage that specialized in the development of graphite properties. Prior to founding Rangefront, Brian worked as a staff geologist for Centerra Gold on the REN project, as well as various exploration and development projects in the Western United States and Michigan. Brian Goss holds a Bachelor of Science Degree with a major in Geology from Wayne State University in Michigan.