An Alberta-based company planning to mine silica sand in Manitoba has joined forces with the largest university in the province to develop an innovative groundwater monitoring network. This collaboration aims to create a cutting-edge, non-intrusive system for real-time tracking of aquifer conditions, a technology increasingly vital for global groundwater studies.
Carla Devlin, the president of Sio Silica, highlighted that the partnership with the University of Manitoba will involve a feasibility assessment and the creation of a robust monitoring system to oversee aquifer health continuously. Devlin emphasized that this initiative goes beyond their mining project, aiming to enhance responsible resource management across the province.
The move comes as Sio Silica intensifies efforts to extract sand from the sandstone aquifer beneath the Rural Municipality of Springfield in southeastern Manitoba. Previously, in 2024, the company’s sand extraction license request was rejected by the NDP government due to concerns about potential impacts on water quality and underground stability issues.
Initially, Sio Silica had proposed a large-scale operation involving drilling thousands of wells over several years to extract silica sand, used in various industries like solar panel manufacturing and construction. However, faced with community opposition over environmental worries and water contamination fears, the company revised its plan to include fewer wells and a more gradual extraction process in their subsequent license application.
Devlin clarified that the collaboration with the university is distinct from their license reapplication but underscores a commitment to transparency in their project development. She expressed optimism that the advanced monitoring and research efforts would address past concerns by providing comprehensive insights into the aquifer’s functioning.
The research project, termed a ‘game changer’ by Sio Silica’s technology team, will offer a holistic examination of the southern Manitoba aquifer, generating a valuable groundwater database that would be costly to replicate. Led by Ricardo Mantilla, an associate professor at the University of Manitoba, the project will utilize quantum gravimetry to measure changes in the gravitational field, indicating fluctuations in groundwater levels.
While quantum gravimetry can determine groundwater quantities, it does not assess water quality. Mantilla stressed the broader significance of the project beyond Sio Silica’s operations, highlighting its relevance for understanding the province’s water circulation dynamics.
International hydrogeologist Ricardo Mantilla noted the growing use of gravimetry in developing groundwater monitoring technologies globally, citing NASA’s satellite initiatives. Despite its limitations in local precision, gravimetry presents a cost-effective alternative to traditional well monitoring, aligning with Sio Silica’s strategy to minimize well drilling.
Groundwater, often unseen but crucial for water cycles and drinking water sources, requires meticulous safeguarding and monitoring, emphasized Halloran. Protecting these invisible water resources is imperative for sustaining water ecosystems and ensuring a safe water supply for communities.