A researcher from Laurentian University is preparing to launch a unique project at the Côté Gold Mine near Gogama, Ontario, using honey bees to support environmental remediation efforts. Mateus Pepinelli secured a $100,000 grant from IAMGOLD to collaborate on this two-year initiative focused on utilizing bees to gather environmental DNA from reclamation areas around the mine site.
Describing honey bees as valuable research assistants, Pepinelli explained that they will be instrumental in data collection. This summer, Pepinelli, in partnership with IAMGOLD, will establish three apiaries near the remediation zones surrounding the mine.
The innovative approach involves installing small fans with filters at each apiary to capture DNA traces carried by the bees back to the hive. The collected environmental DNA will then be extracted and analyzed in a laboratory, providing insights into various plant species, microorganisms, and potential threats like varroa mites.
Jessica Tratnik, the environmental and social governance lead at the Côté Gold Mine for IAMGOLD, highlighted the significance of using bee-collected data to monitor and improve rehabilitation efforts. By tracking ecological changes through the information obtained from the bees, the company can ensure the effectiveness of its reforestation activities and identify any biodiversity gaps or pollination deficiencies.
Graeme Jennings, IAMGOLD’s vice president of investor relations, emphasized the long-term commitment to environmental stewardship at the Coté Gold Mine, which is expected to operate for over two decades. Tratnik underscored the continuous nature of land rehabilitation efforts, emphasizing the importance of proactive site monitoring to expedite the restoration process and enhance landscape sustainability.