Grant: Collaborative Research and Development Grants

As demand for minerals, metals, and petroleum from emerging economies in Asia and Eastern Europe cause world prices to soar, increased emphasis is being placed on Earth sciences for the exploration of natural resources. Canada is positioned to be a leader in providing these commodities to world markets. Over the last decade, it has become increasingly apparent that there is an immediate pressure for the discovery and development of new energy sources to meet the demands of our changing world. Uranium is an important natural resource that is abundant in Canada that can be utilized to our advantage. With vast reserves in the Canadian North, it is crucial that exploration, research, and development of uranium deposits are carried out to aid development of the Canadian economy. The proposed research project aims to: 1. Document and quantify the genesis and processes controlling the geological and hydrothermal formation of the historical Lac Cinquante uranium deposit located in Nunavut. 2. Develop a 3D subsurface model of the Lac Cinquante deposit to understand the genetic relationship to hydrothermal circulation systems responsible for its formation. 3. Understand the controls on hydrothermal fluid flow associated with the Lac Cinquante and other Beaverlodge style uranium deposits in Canada and worldwide to develop new geochemical exploration tools for application in Canada's north. Canada must continue to strengthen its knowledge base, encourage world-class research, and encourage industry-academic partnerships investigating important natural resources in order to become a world leader in alternative energy sources. This project aims to increase exploration in the Canadian North, train and guide highly qualified personnel (HQP), and create jobs for these Canadian HQPs at exploration and mining camps in Northern Canada.