July 19, 2017

The Northwest Territories Geological Survey (NTGS) is a division of the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) that provides geoscience knowledge to governments, industry, and the public. The division also help to inform decisions concerning the responsible development of mineral and energy resources, land use, and environmental stewardship. They work closely with various partner organizations, notably the federal government’s Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor).

Here are 10 interesting updates about the work of the NTGS! How many did you already know?

1. In its first two years, the NTGS-run Mining Incentive Program awarded grants totaling more than $750,000 to eight prospector and 11 company projects, resulting in more than $4 million in private-sector exploration spending.
2. The CanNor-funded Slave Province Surficial Materials and Permafrost Study (2014-2016) not only produced a wealth of knowledge to stimulate diamond exploration (including surficial geology maps, indicator mineral and till geochemistry data, and 3D indicator mineral transport models) over a 1,500 square km area, but also characterized permafrost conditions that may inform future resource and infrastructure development.
3. The Liard Basin Hydrocarbon Project, undertaken in 2012-2015 by the NTGS in collaboration with the federal, Yukon, and British Columbia governments, resulted in a fourfold increase in natural gas resource estimates.
4. Ongoing NTGS research on permafrost thaw slumps has directly contributed to Department of Infrastructure mitigation planning along the Dempster Highway as well as submissions to the environmental impact assessment for the Inuvik- Tuktoyaktuk highway. This work has also influenced the Department’s climate change and adaptation policy.
5. In 2016, the NTGS published Mineral Showings, Petroleum Wells and Generalized Geology Maps for the Gwich’in, Sahtù, Dehcho, Wek’èezhìı, and Inuvialuit regions to raise awareness of the resource potential of Aboriginal-owned and adjacent lands.
6. Research by the NTGS and its partners is showcased each November at the annual Yellowknife Geoscience Forum, which regularly attracts more than 700 attendees.
7. The NTGS hosts a world-class collection of information for diamond exploration, including the Kimberlite Indicator and Diamond Database, Kimberlite Indicator Mineral Chemistry Database, and the Kimberlite Anomaly and Drillhole Database.
8. NTGS scientists help facilitate the annual Tundra Science and Culture Camp, a multidisciplinary education program for high school students held at Daring Lake, 300 km northeast of Yellowknife.
9. NTGS efforts to increase public awareness of geoscience include classroom and library visits, participation in career fairs, public “rock walks”, and short courses on prospecting, mining, and petroleum.
10. The NTGS will soon open the new Geological Collections Storage Facility in Yellowknife. Among other things, this facility will house an extensive collection of mineral industry drill core obtained from exploration and mining sites throughout the Northwest Territories. The NTGS also works to preserve drill core collections that remain at these sites.

Click here to read the NTGS Strategic Plan for 2017-2022.