Fostering geoscience research in the Northwest Territories CanNor investment supports mineral exploration and sustainable infrastructure development

CanNor is investing over $7.4 million from 2016-2018 in geoscience research across Canada’s three territories.

In the Northwest Territories, CanNor is contributing $3 million to Northwest Territories Geological Survey (NTGS) for geophysical data collection, analysis of land material and permafrost studies in the Slave Geological Province.

CanNor   $3,000,000
Government of the Northwest Territories    $625,000
Industry   $495,000

Total Funding (NWT)       $4,120,000

Funding will support the development of the following projects in the Northwest Territories, including:

1.    Airborne Geophysics Program
•    Carrying out airborne geophysical surveys over the Slave Geological Province, where four territorial diamond mines are located, to identify areas of higher mineral opportunity and potentially unexposed kimberlite rock—the source of diamonds. The results of these surveys are promising, and have led to a staking rush in the area.

2.    Remote Predictive Mapping
•    Developing new maps of the earth’s surface by conducting detailed analysis in key areas of the Slave Geological Province. This information will be used to highlight areas with high mineral potential.

3.    Targeted Scientific Studies
•    Undertaking a series of scientific research programs to increase the success of diamond exploration in the Slave Geological Province. This includes developing new ways of finding kimberlite, creating new 3D models to improve the ways in which kimberlite is found, and using equipment with low environmental impact to sample underground minerals.

4.    Permafrost Studies
•    Surveying to develop permafrost susceptibility maps for sustainable infrastructure in northern communities.
•    Installing monitor sites in the tree-line transition area of the territory to support potential development of an all-season road.
•    Developing reliable and standardized permafrost information to foster viable long-term infrastructure development in the Northwest Territories.