2023 Yellowknife Geoscience Forum Technical Sessions

Geoscience and Exploration - Rebecca Canam (GNWT-NTGS) and Bernadette Knox (GNWT-NTGS)
This session will showcase a variety of mineral prospects in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, summarize mineral-exploration activities that took place in both territories over the past year, and provide the latest results of geoscience research and mapping projects. Presenters are from government, academia, and industry.

Diamond Geology and Exploration - Barrett Elliott (GNWT-NTGS)
Exploration for, and the development of, diamond resources have played an enormous role in the evolution of the Northwest Territories for nearly 25 years. As the diamond mines mature, exploration for new diamond resources is also becoming more mature. A depressed exploration market around the world has slowed diamond exploration for several years. Now exploration financings are showing signs of recovery and diamonds are returning as an exploration target of choice. This session will explore the state of existing mines and producers, as well as showcase the latest diamond exploration projects and techniques at play in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

Energy in Canada’s North - Viktor Terlaky (GNWT-NTGS), Mike Harlow (GNWT-ITI), and Emily Smejkal (Terrapin Geothermics)
This year’s Energy Geoscience Session will feature energy resource topics that will range from petroleum geoscientific studies in the Mackenzie Valley and Mackenzie Delta regions, to geoscience-related alternative energy resources such as geothermal energy and natural gas. Speakers from government, academia, and industry will highlight current research pertaining to resource exploration and energy-related issues.

Environmental Monitoring and Research - Tim Ensom (GNWT-ECC) and Nigel Rossouw (NSERC-ARI)
This session will focus on topics of direct interest to the oil and gas and mining sectors, including research on environmental geochemistry, ecotoxicology, legacy contamination, permafrost, hydrology, reclamation and remediation and the design of monitoring and management programs. Presentations will highlight targeted decision makers and how they may apply this information.

Changing Permafrost Landscapes
Steve Kokelj (GNWT-NTGS) Niels Weiss (GNWT-NTGS) and Joseph Young (UofA)
Permafrost thaw is the main cause of climate-driven landscape change in the north and has a major effect on ecosystems and infrastructure. This session will showcase research that contributes to understanding the distribution of thaw-sensitive terrain across the north. This is critical to predict the future state of the environment and water resources of the Northwest Territories and for climate change adaptation planning.

Community Engagement - Mark Paddey (GNWT-ITI)
This session targets presenters involved in community engagement, outreach programs, and capacity building initiatives in resource development. We invite abstracts and summaries that showcase a variety of perspectives for community training and learning, and supporting the development of sustainable communities related to exploration, mining, and petroleum development in the north.

Regulatory and Policy Updates - Julie Ward (GNWT-ITI) and Jessica Bos (GNWT-ITI)
This session will feature talks on the regulatory operating environment in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut including recent changes in legislation, policies and guidelines, both to the territorial and federal regimes. This session will also focus on some important aspects of land use planning and the linkages with northern regulatory boards.

Mining and Advanced Project Updates - Charlene Squibb (GNWT-ITI)
Northern operating mines are the largest private-sector contributor to the territorial economies and provide significant benefits to the North. Operating mines and projects in advanced phases will provide updates on their operations over the past year and provide outlooks for the coming year.

Critical Minerals Geology and Exploration - Gideon Lambiv (GNWT-NTGS) and Merilie Reynolds (GNWT-NTGS)
Canada is primed to capitalize on the rising global demand for critical minerals, driven in large part by their role in the transition to a low-carbon and digitized economy. Essential for renewable energy and clean technology applications (batteries, permanent magnets, solar panels, and wind turbines), they are also required inputs for advanced manufacturing supply chains, including defence and security technologies, consumer electronics, agriculture, medical applications, and critical infrastructure.

Surficial Geology and Permafrost Terrain Mapping - A lot more than dirt! - Philippe Normandeau (GNWT-NTGS) and Alejandro Alvarez (UofA)
From detailed site investigations to regional surveys, surficial geology, and geomorphic terrain maps integrate information and play a crucial role in advancing our understanding of the land, its geological history, and terrain sensitivity. This session welcomes submissions related to recent and ongoing surficial and permafrost terrain mapping projects including advances in mapping methods, remote mapping technologies, and compilations, as well as the integration of surficial geology and terrain mapping that supports infrastructure development, community adaptation planning, and assessment of geohazards.

Northern Lakes in a Changing Climate - Mike Palmer (NSERC-ARI), Jennifer Korosi (YorkU), and Amanda Little (YorkU)
Lakes are an essential resource supporting cultural, subsistence, and recreational activities for communities in the Northwest Territories. Lakes are also under increased and cumulative pressures from climate change and municipal and industrial activities. This session will showcase research across a diverse spectrum of disciplines that address emerging threats to lakes in the Northwest Territories.