U of G Researcher Receives Federal Grant to Study Climate Adaptation at Giant Mine

A vast open-pit mine under a vibrant, cloudy sunset, with rugged, rocky layers and winding roads. Text reads: "U of G Researcher Leads Climate Adaptation Study at Giant Mine."

As Canada grapples with the growing impacts of climate change, the long-term environmental risks of legacy mining sites are becoming increasingly urgent. Giant Mine, a former gold mine near Yellowknife, operated from 1948 until 2004, leaving behind 237,000 tonnes of arsenic trioxide waste. As the Government of Canada oversees its ongoing remediation, the need for climate-resilient strategies to manage post-closure risks has never been more pressing. To address this challenge, Dr. Nicolas Brunet [1] from the University of Guelph’s School of Environmental Design and Rural Development [2] in partnership with RFS Energy and the Giant Mine Oversight Board has received $466,438 in federal funding to support research on climate adaptation in the mining sector.

“Mineral extraction has shaped and will continue to shape the lives of Canadians,” says Dr. Brunet. “The sector must adapt to thrive while protecting the well-being of those near mine sites, especially as they plan for closure.”

Dr. Brunet’s project aims to increase climate change adaptation knowledge and capacity among mining professionals, decision-makers, and local rights-holders. He hopes to develop a framework and policy guidelines, that addresses environmental and community liabilities, for mine operators to follow when closing.

“Communities with closed mines face real environmental challenge,” added Dr. Brunet. The 2023 forest fires in Yellowknife highlight the importance of this research. While the city was evacuated, Giant Mine and was also left abandoned. Thanks to the efforts of local volunteers and community members, who stepped in to protect the site, a potential environmental disaster was avoided—highlighting the urgent need for sustainable, adaptive strategies to safeguard the region’s environment and livelihoods.

The Climate Ready Mine project will involve multiple U of G students, including Trennon Wint, MSc in Planning, and Alice MacDonald, a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture student. Their involvement underscores the interdisciplinary nature of the research, integrating expertise from planning, landscape architecture, and environmental sciences to address complex climate challenges.

"By working closely with local communities and stakeholders, we aim to co-develop adaptive strategies and tools that enhance the resilience of mining sites like Giant Mine to climate impacts.”

This project exemplifies how academic research can directly contribute to sustainable development goals.

By engaging local communities, the research aims to inform policy and support sustainable mining practices. The insights gained from the Climate Ready Mine project are expected to inform policy and practice in the mining sector, contributing to Canada’s broader climate adaptation efforts.