An Alberta-based company aiming to mine silica sand in Manitoba has teamed up with the largest university in the province to develop a cutting-edge groundwater monitoring network. This partnership, focusing on innovative technology essential for global groundwater studies, will involve Sio Silica and the University of Manitoba collaborating on a feasibility assessment and the creation of a sophisticated, non-intrusive system to monitor aquifer conditions in real-time.
Carla Devlin, the president of Sio Silica, emphasized that the initiative goes beyond their mining project, aiming to establish a robust monitoring system for sustainable resource management across the province. The collaboration coincides with Sio Silica’s renewed interest in extracting sand from the sandstone aquifer beneath the Rural Municipality of Springfield in southeastern Manitoba.
Previously, in 2024, Sio Silica faced rejection from the provincial government for a sand extraction license due to concerns over potential impacts on water quality and underground stability. The company’s initial proposal involved drilling 7,200 wells east and southeast of Winnipeg over 25 years to extract valuable silica sand used in various industries.
Community opposition and environmental worries prompted Sio Silica to revise its plan, reducing the number of wells and sand extraction levels in a bid to secure an environmental license. The recent partnership with the University of Manitoba, focusing on advanced monitoring and data transparency, aims to enhance project oversight and decision-making processes.
The research initiative, termed a ‘game changer’ by Sio Silica’s technology team, will provide comprehensive insights into the southern Manitoba aquifer, generating a valuable groundwater database that would be costly to replicate independently. Quantum gravimetry, a technology capable of measuring changes in gravitational fields as groundwater shifts, will be central to the research project led by Ricardo Mantilla, an associate professor at the University of Manitoba.
While quantum gravimetry offers insights into groundwater quantities, not water quality, its application in the project holds significance for Sio Silica’s operations and broader water management practices in the province. The partnership underscores a commitment to scientific rigor, transparency, and sustainable stewardship, aiming to address past concerns and promote informed decision-making based on empirical data.
The research project emphasizes the importance of understanding the aquifer system as a whole, with Mantilla stressing the need to “listen to water” to effectively manage groundwater resources. The utilization of quantum gravimetry, a cutting-edge technology with global applications in groundwater monitoring, signifies a pivotal step towards enhancing monitoring practices and reducing the need for costly well installations.
Groundwater, often an overlooked but crucial water resource, plays a vital role in the water cycle and serves as a primary source of drinking water. Protecting and monitoring groundwater reservoirs is essential for ensuring water security and environmental sustainability, highlighting the significance of technological advancements in groundwater research and management.
