An Alberta-based company aiming to mine silica sand in Manitoba has joined forces with the largest university in the province to develop an experimental groundwater monitoring network. This collaboration involves utilizing cutting-edge technology crucial for global groundwater research, as noted by industry experts.
Carla Devlin, the president of Sio Silica, announced that the mining firm will engage with the University of Manitoba in conducting a feasibility study and creating a sophisticated, non-invasive system to monitor aquifer conditions in real-time. Devlin emphasized that the initiative goes beyond their specific project, serving as a valuable tool for responsible resource management across Manitoba.
The partnership emerges as Sio Silica renews its endeavors to extract sand from the sandstone aquifer beneath the Rural Municipality of Springfield in southeastern Manitoba. Previously, in 2024, the company faced rejection from the NDP government for a sand extraction license due to concerns about potential impacts on water quality and underground stability issues.
Sio Silica’s initial proposal entailed drilling 7,200 wells in the eastern and southeastern regions of Winnipeg over a 25-year period to extract high-grade silica sand utilized in various industries such as solar panel manufacturing, natural gas fracking, and construction. However, community backlash over environmental risks and fears of water contamination prompted the company to revise its plans, proposing fewer wells and a more gradual sand extraction process in a subsequent license application.
Devlin clarified that the collaboration with the university is distinct from their license reapplication but signifies a commitment to transparency in the project’s development. When questioned about addressing past concerns with the license request, Devlin stressed that the research initiative aims to comprehend the aquifer holistically, leveraging advanced monitoring and open data to inform decisions based on scientific evidence and long-term environmental stewardship.
Describing the research project as a groundbreaking endeavor, Sio Silica’s technology team highlighted its potential to generate a comprehensive groundwater database of the southern Manitoba aquifer. This data, which would require substantial government funding to replicate, is set to enhance understanding of the aquifer system and facilitate informed decision-making in the future.
Leading the research project at the University of Manitoba, Associate Professor Ricardo Mantilla detailed the utilization of quantum gravimetry to measure changes in the gravitational field as groundwater moves. While this technology can quantify groundwater quantities, Mantilla noted its limitation in assessing water quality. The project’s significance extends beyond Sio Silica’s operations, offering valuable insights into water circulation dynamics in Manitoba.
Hydrogeologist and hydrogeophysicist Landon Halloran emphasized the global trend of utilizing quantum gravimetry for developing advanced groundwater monitoring solutions. Despite its limitations in local-scale assessments, the technology presents a cost-effective alternative to traditional well monitoring methods, aligning with Sio Silica’s objective of reducing well drilling activities.
Halloran stressed the importance of safeguarding groundwater resources, emphasizing their critical role in the water cycle and as a primary source of drinking water. Acknowledging groundwater as an essential yet often overlooked resource, he underscored the necessity of monitoring and protecting these vital water reservoirs.
