An Alberta-based company looking to mine silica sand in Manitoba has announced a collaboration with the largest university in the province to develop an innovative groundwater monitoring network. This partnership aims to create a cutting-edge system for real-time tracking of aquifer conditions, which experts emphasize is crucial for global groundwater research.
According to Carla Devlin, the president of Sio Silica, the company will team up with the University of Manitoba to conduct a feasibility study and establish a scientifically robust, non-intrusive monitoring system. Devlin stated that beyond serving their specific project needs, the initiative aims to promote responsible resource management practices across the province.
The recent partnership follows Sio Silica’s renewed efforts to extract sand from the sandstone aquifer beneath the Rural Municipality of Springfield in southeastern Manitoba. Previously, in 2024, the company’s request for a sand extraction license was denied by the NDP government due to concerns about potential impacts on water quality and underground stability issues.
Initially proposing to drill 7,200 wells in the vicinity of Winnipeg over a 25-year period, Sio Silica’s plans faced community opposition over environmental worries and fears of water contamination. In response, the company revised its proposal by reducing the number of wells and sand extraction volume in a bid to secure an environmental license.
Highlighting the significance of the university collaboration, Devlin emphasized that it signifies a higher level of transparency for the project going forward. She underscored that the research project aims to comprehensively understand the aquifer’s dynamics, emphasizing the importance of science-driven decision-making and long-term environmental stewardship.
The research project, described by Sio Silica’s technology team as a game-changer, will focus on studying the southern Manitoba aquifer as a unified system. The initiative will generate a comprehensive groundwater database, a costly endeavor if undertaken independently by the government.
Ricardo Mantilla, an associate professor at the University of Manitoba leading the project, explained that quantum gravimetry will be utilized to measure changes in the gravitational field caused by groundwater movements. While this technology can quantify groundwater amounts, it does not assess water quality. Mantilla stressed the project’s broader significance for Manitoba, highlighting the critical interplay between surface water and groundwater in the province’s hydrological cycle.
Landon Halloran, a hydrogeologist and hydrogeophysicist, noted the global trend of using quantum gravimetry for developing advanced groundwater monitoring tools. He referenced NASA’s Grace Follow-On satellites as an example of gravimetry applications on a global scale. Halloran suggested that this technology could potentially reduce the need for costly groundwater monitoring wells, aligning with Sio Silica’s goal of minimizing drilling activities.
In conclusion, Halloran emphasized the importance of safeguarding and monitoring groundwater resources, stating that despite being invisible, these resources are vital components of the water cycle and often serve as sources of drinking water.
