Exploration Data and Potable Groundwater - Implications for both Exploration Geologists and Environmental Geoscientists
By Milan Situm, P.Geo.

Ontario is a huge province and is fortunate to have a vibrant exploration industry. In most cases, exploration occurs in remote locations far from any development. Nevertheless, in some cases, exploration can occur in the vicinity of rural development, which relies on groundwater for a source of potable drinking water. Exploration in areas of groundwater usage requires the geoscientist to exercise additional due diligence, particularly when it comes to the interpretation of groundwater analyses as part of an exploration program.

In the exploration industry, there are various techniques and analyses that can be used to evaluate a potential deposit. The testing of natural groundwater for various metals, such as copper, lead, zinc, silver and others is one such method. If elevated concentrations are detected in a sample, the interpretation of groundwater geochemistry can be useful in determining if the bedrock is host to a potential resource. Those same elevated metals, however, can be problematic if the groundwater is used for domestic purposes.

The problem thereby arises as to what to do in circumstances in which concentrations in excess of the Ontario Drinking Water Standards are detected in exploration geochemistry groundwater in areas of groundwater usage and who needs to be notified by whom.

Exploration geologists may not be aware of what constitutes excessive concentrations. In addition, they may not realize that apart from initial analyses during pumping tests, groundwater from private wells is not regularly tested for inorganic parameters including heavy metals. Exploration geologists could be left to judge how reliable is old data and what constitutes human impact.

As the distance between exploration activity and rural development lessens, there needs to be more coordination between geo-resources development/mining industry and the potable water/environmental protection industry. A lack of coordination could result in missing or nondisclosure of important knowledge about possible groundwater impact identified during exploration or other geoscientific work. Such issues need to be properly addressed to ensure public health and protection of drinking water supplies in the future.

As a result, the APGO is planning to develop best management policies that will provide direction to Professional Geoscientists to react and take specific actions concerning disclosure of groundwater sample analyses completed for exploration purposes whenever there is a threat that the analyses could exceed drinking water standards.

My Experience at GeoCanada 2010
By Donald Ford, B.Sc., P.Geo. Manager, Geoenvironmental Toronto and Region Conservation

What do you get if you take 4500 geoscientists from eight professional associations, add in over 150 exhibitors, an Art Show, and about 1500 school kids? Answer: GeoCanada 2010. It was a once-in-a-decade conference held on May 10 to 14, 2010 in Calgary, Alberta. I attended the conference as a speaker on the topic of mentoring and training internationally-trained geoscientists in the Mineral Exploration and Mining Practice: The Role of Professional Geoscientists Session. When I was asked to write this article, I thought it would be an easy task but that was before I attended the conference and truly understood the challenge of summing up the four days of learning and socializing that defined this once-in-a-decade event.

As our lunchtime entertainer, Brent Butt put it on Tuesday, who knew there were so many of us geoscientists? It was a humbling experience to be surrounded by both the leaders of our industry, and the exceptional and eager university students challenging us with new ideas. Together these two groups showcased both the rich history of geoscience practice in Canada and the bright future ahead of us.

One of the unique features at this conference was the Earth Science for Society Exhibition, where over 2000 young people got down and dirty at interactive earth science exhibits in five themed pavilions - Resources and You, Energy for Us, One Dynamic Earth, Your Career? and Our Future!. I could have spent four days there myself! Truly a unique opportunity for middle school-aged children to learn about the fascinating realm of geoscience. Given the energy level when I was there, the whole concept of this free exhibit was a hit with both the teachers and students. And no, I’m not just saying that because I was able to add a trilobite specimen to my fossil collection.

The second unique venue was an art exhibit “Geologic Underpinnings to Iconic Canadian Landscapes”. This poster exhibition combined reproductions of iconic Canadian paintings with information about the geology and geoscientists behind each image. The combination of fine art, earth science and history was captivating. Congratulations to the Glenbow Museum and the Canadian Federation of Earth Sciences for coming up with this concept.

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