Northeast British Columbia Aggregate Mapping Program
There is a chronic shortage of aggregate resources in northeast British Columbia. Existing deposits are relatively rare outside of major river valleys and in many areas of active petroleum road development these deposits have been largely depleted. In addition, the demand for local sources of aggregate is increasing due to increases in oil and gas exploration, development, and production activity. As a result, there is a need for an inventory of new and existing local aggregate sources in the region.
To meet this need, the Northeast British Columbia Aggregate Mapping program was initiated as part of the British Columbia Oil and Gas Development Strategy (OGDS). The primary objective of this program is to systematically explore for new, local aggregate sources in the region. The program includes both regional-scale and site specific aggregate evaluations. This work is being conducted in collaboration with the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation (MOT), Land and Water British Columbia Inc. (LWBC), Geological Survey of Canada (GSC), and the Alberta Geolgical survey (AGS).
The identification of local aggregate resources will provide the necessary information for the development of a long-term strategy that ensures roads in the region are capable of supporting the future demands of industry. Improved access and transportation cost savings to resource companies will also enhance viability of projects and encourage exploration investment, potentially leading to new discoveries. The identification and evaluation of site-specific reserves will ensure an aggregate supply not only of adequate volume, but also of good quality.
Study Area Aggregate mapping is being conducted in the area between the Alberta/British Columbia border and the Alaska Highway (Highway 97), extending north from the Dawson Creek area to the British Columbia/Northwest Territories border. To date, much of the work has been focused in NTS map areas 94I (Fontas River) and 94P (Petitot River), and more specifically along the Sierra-Yoyo-Desan Road corridor and Royalty Credit Roads. This work includes both regional-scale aggregate potential mapping as well as more detailed site-specific test pit programs. During the 2005 field season, reconnaissance-scale work begun in the Cutbank area (NTS map areas 93I/north and 93P) and NTS map area 94G (Trutch), and will continue through the 2006.
The map of these areas are available here. ( 6MB)
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Exploration Methods Traditional aggregate mapping techniques such as aerial photograph interpretation are relatively ineffective for locating new aggregate deposits in the Boreal Plains of northeast British Columbia. This is in large part due to subdued topography, extensive muskeg, and a general scarcity of glaciofluvial landforms but also due to glaciolacustrine and glacial sediments that are commonly found blanketing granular material. As a result, new surface and subsurface data sets are being tested and used, in combination with aerial photographs, to identify areas that have potential to host aggregate deposits. These data sets include:
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