CanNor is investing over $3.4 million in a two-year scientific research project in the Slave Geological Province of the Northwest Territories. With contributions from other partners, this $5.3 million drilling and mapping campaign will build the geoscience knowledge base of the Lac de Gras region, a long-proven area of mineral wealth and the location of the NWT’s diamond mines.
- CanNor funding: $3.43 million
- Government of the Northwest Territories funding: $288,000
- Industry: $1.19 million
- University Partners (in-kind): 396,850
- Total: $5.3 million
This study of surficial materials deposited by glaciers will allow for a better understanding of the location and potential of diamond-bearing kimberlites. Drill cores will also be used to better understand regional permafrost conditions which will inform future infrastructure development. Preliminary results from this work will be presented at the Yellowknife Geoscience Forum in November 2015.
This project is being led by the Northwest Territories Geoscience Office (NTGO) and is a multi-partner collaboration between government, industry and academia. In conjunction with industry stakeholders and the Canadian Mining Innovation and Research Organization, NTGO will coordinate academic and secondary studies to enhance awareness of the geological potential of the region. Partners include: Rio Tinto (Diavik), Dominion Diamond Corp., the University of Waterloo, the University of Alberta, Simon Fraser University and Carleton University.
Investment in this project is made possible through CanNor's Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development (SINED) program, which focuses on long-term economic growth, economic diversification and capacity-building across the North. SINED is one of several economic development programs within CanNor.
CanNor works to help develop a diversified, sustainable and dynamic economy across Canada’s three territories, and delivers on its northern mandate through funding programs, the Northern Projects Management Office and by undertaking policy and research.
