Home | About Geoscience | What's Geoscience? What's Geoscience? Geoscience is the study of the Earth and its systems. Geoscientist is an umbrella term that is used to describe practitioners of geoscience.  The estimated 3,000 geoscience practitioners in Ontario are a diverse group of professionals which includes exploration and mining geologists, geophysicists, geochemists, petroleum geologists, hydrogeologists, terrain and coastal geomorphologists and environmental geoscientists.  These professional geoscientists provide services to industry, government and the public in the areas of:  Mining: Geoscientists design and undertake investigations to determine the origin, location and extent of metallic and non-metallic mineral deposits.  Ontario’s mining industry, the largest in Canada, contributes over $5 billion annually to the Ontario economy and directly employs over 20,000 people in well-paying jobs, most of which are in northern Ontario. Geoscientists provide important technical and economic information for business, securities and investment decisions.  Geoscientists also undertake studies to determine terrain constraints and environmentally and structurally safe locations to site mine facilities including tailings impoundments.  Geoscientists provide technical and scientific reports to meet securities requirements and to obtain regulatory approval of environmental assessment reports, mine development and closure plans. Water Resources: Geoscientists develop and carry out groundwater exploration, development, protection and management programs.  Ontario is the largest groundwater user in Canada.  Over 40% of Ontario’s population depends on groundwater for their domestic and industrial water supply.  Groundwater supplies all of the natural water flowing in creeks, streams and rivers when there is no rainfall or melting snow.  Geoscientists provide advice about and work on the implementation of and a wide range of programs to develop and protect Ontario’s groundwater resources.   Environmental Protection and Remediation: Geoscientists design and undertake studies to determine the presence, magnitude, extent and source of chemical contamination of soil and groundwater.  This information is used to assess the potential risk to the environment, and to ecological and human health from contaminant exposure.  Geoscientists design soil and groundwater remediation programs, and supervise contamination cleanup to ensure that the site is acceptable for the intended land use, and that the public and the environment are protected from contaminants.   Energy:  Geoscientists design and implement programs to identify, delineate and develop oil and natural gas deposits and reservoirs, coal deposits, oil sands and nuclear fuels and nuclear waste repositories.  The information from these programs is used to make business and investment decisions, and to provide information to securities and government regulators for investment and development approvals.  Geoscientists also design environmental investigations and programs for energy sector activities, including cleanup and restoration of soil and groundwater contaminated by petroleum releases, and development of environmental impact assessments and environmental protection plans for energy developments.   Development and Planning:  Geoscientists undertake investigations for municipalities, developers, industry and government agencies to assess the geohazards and terrain constraints that may affect a proposed development.  Geoscientists design and undertake investigations to determine suitable locations for the siting of municipal and hazardous waste disposal facilities, and other major developments such as industrial and agricultural facilities, residential developments and recreational facilities, to ensure that the water supply is adequate, groundwater resources are protected, and that erosion and landform stability issues are identified and addressed.  Geoscientists prepare reports for submission to municipal and regulatory agencies to address geohazards, groundwater, waste management and environmental impact issues that may result from the proposed development. Education:  Geoscientists teach in high schools, colleges and universities in Ontario ensuring that our economy will have a constant supply of academically qualified geoscientists to continue to serve the public, government and industry in the province. Geoscientists work for municipalities, provincial and federal government departments, mining companies, oil and gas companies, construction firms, investment and securities firms, environmental departments in industry and consulting firms.  There are over 400 mining companies and 100 consulting firms located in Ontario who employ geoscientists.  Approximately 45% of Ontario geoscientists work in or for the mining sector, 35% work in the environmental sector and 20% are employed by various levels of government or education.  The professional expertise of Ontario's 3,000 geoscientists supports decisions affecting billions of dollars of investment. APGO is a member of the Canadian Council of Professional Geoscientists and the affiliated Canadian Geoscience Standards Board and represents Ontario geoscientists in their deliberations. These national bodies develop standards for admission and for transferability of professional geoscientists within Canada and internationally.