An Alberta-based company aiming to mine silica sand in Manitoba has joined forces with the largest university in the province to collaborate on an innovative groundwater monitoring system. This partnership involves the development of a cutting-edge monitoring network that can provide real-time tracking of aquifer conditions.
Carla Devlin, the president of Sio Silica, disclosed that the company will be engaging with the University of Manitoba to conduct a feasibility study and create a scientifically robust and non-intrusive system for monitoring aquifer health. This initiative is not solely for the company’s benefit but is intended to serve as a valuable tool for sustainable resource management across the province.
The collaboration comes as Sio Silica is pushing forward with its plans to extract sand from the sandstone aquifer beneath the Rural Municipality of Springfield in southeastern Manitoba. Previously, in 2024, the company’s request for a sand extraction license was turned down by the NDP government due to concerns about potential impacts on water quality and underground stability.
Originally, Sio Silica proposed a project involving the drilling of 7,200 wells in the eastern and southeastern regions of Winnipeg over a 25-year period to extract silica sand for various industrial purposes. However, the proposal faced strong opposition from the local community over environmental worries and the risk of water contamination.
In response to the opposition, Sio Silica revised its plan by reducing the number of wells, phasing the extraction process more gradually, and extracting less sand in a renewed attempt to secure an environmental license.
Carla Devlin emphasized that the partnership with the university is distinct from the license application process but signifies a commitment to transparency in the project’s development. The research project aims to enhance understanding of the aquifer system as a whole, utilizing advanced monitoring techniques and open data to ensure decision-making is based on scientific knowledge and long-term environmental stewardship.
Described as a “game changer” by Sio Silica’s technology team, the research project will comprehensively study the southern Manitoba aquifer, generating a valuable groundwater database that would be costly for the government to replicate independently.
Ricardo Mantilla, an associate professor at the University of Manitoba leading the research, highlighted the use of quantum gravimetry technology to measure changes in gravity as groundwater movements occur. While this technology can determine groundwater quantities, it does not assess water quality.
The project, while crucial for Sio Silica’s operations in Manitoba, is also significant for the province as it addresses the intricate relationship between surface water and groundwater in the region’s hydrological cycle. Understanding and effectively monitoring groundwater resources are vital for sustainable water management and safeguarding essential water supplies.
In conclusion, groundwater, often an overlooked water resource, plays a critical role in the water cycle and serves as a primary source of drinking water. Protecting and monitoring groundwater reservoirs are essential steps in ensuring water security and preserving environmental sustainability.