Evaluating the depositional and diagenetic history of the Devonian Dawson Bay Formation: Implications for Saskatchewan’s conventional potash mines

Sedimentary rocks undergo chemical and physical alteration as they are buried beneath Earth’s surface. Understanding these alteration processes is important in understanding the rocks potential as groundwater aquifers, in understanding the geohazards they may pose, and more. The Dawson Bay Formation is a 385-million-year-old limestone present across Saskatchewan that had a peculiar set of conditions affecting its alteration. It also lies immediately overtop of widespread potash deposits. Potash plays a vital role as a nutrient for boosting crop yields and enhancing plant resilience and is extracted from underground mines spread across Saskatchewan. Safety and mine longevity are of paramount importance in potash mines. The Dawson Bay Formation limestone typically limits the amount of groundwater flowing down into potash mines below. However, in some cases its alteration history has led to fluid flow conduits that risk mine operations. Understanding this alteration is therefore crucial to mitigating risk.

Faculty Supervisor:

Edward James Matheson;Peir Pufahl

Student:

Partner:

PotashCorp

Discipline:

Earth science

Sector:

Manufacturing; Mining

University:

Cape Breton University

Program: