An Alberta-based company aiming to mine silica sand in Manitoba has joined forces with the largest university in the province to collaborate on the development of an innovative groundwater monitoring network. This partnership involves leveraging cutting-edge technology that is increasingly crucial for global groundwater research.
Carla Devlin, the president of Sio Silica, announced that the mining company will engage in a feasibility study with the University of Manitoba to create a robust and non-invasive system capable of monitoring aquifer conditions in real-time. Devlin emphasized that this initiative goes beyond their specific project and is intended to enhance responsible resource management practices across the province.
The collaboration comes as Sio Silica intensifies its efforts to extract sand from the sandstone aquifer beneath the Rural Municipality of Springfield in southeastern Manitoba. The company faced a setback in 2024 when the NDP government rejected their license application due to concerns about potential impacts on water quality and underground stability issues.
Originally, Sio Silica proposed a plan involving drilling 7,200 wells in the eastern and southeastern regions of Winnipeg over a 25-year period to extract valuable silica sand used in various industries such as solar panel manufacturing, hydraulic fracking, and construction. However, community opposition arose citing environmental worries and the risk of water contamination from the wells.
In response to the concerns, Sio Silica revised its plan by proposing fewer wells, a more gradual approach, and reduced sand extraction in their renewed license application last year. Devlin highlighted that the collaboration with the university is independent of their license application but demonstrates a commitment to transparency and incorporating scientific insights into their project’s development.
The research project, described as a “game changer” by Sio Silica’s technology team, aims to comprehensively study the southern Manitoba aquifer as a unified system. This endeavor will generate a comprehensive groundwater database, which would require significant resources if undertaken solely by the government.
Ricardo Mantilla, an associate professor leading the research project at the University of Manitoba, explained that they will utilize quantum gravimetry to measure changes in the gravitational field as groundwater moves. Although this technology can assess groundwater quantities, it does not evaluate water quality. Mantilla emphasized the significance of understanding the interactions between surface water and groundwater for Manitoba’s water management practices.
Quantum gravimetry has been increasingly adopted globally for developing advanced groundwater monitoring devices, according to Landon Halloran, a hydrogeologist teaching at the University of Neuchatel in Switzerland. The technology’s spatial limitations make it more suitable for global-scale assessments rather than localized issues. Halloran noted that gravimetry could potentially reduce the need for costly groundwater monitoring wells, aligning with Sio Silica’s efforts to minimize drilling activities.
Groundwater, often overlooked as an essential resource, plays a critical role in the water cycle and serves as a primary source of drinking water. Halloran emphasized the importance of safeguarding and monitoring groundwater resources to ensure sustainable water management practices.
Through this collaborative research initiative, Sio Silica and the University of Manitoba aim to enhance environmental stewardship and scientific understanding of groundwater dynamics, contributing to informed decision-making and long-term sustainability efforts.