Hydrogeology,climate and constructed geology for reclaiming oil-sand mining landscapes.

Oil-sand deposits in north-eastern Alberta, Canada comprise some of the world’s largest oil reserves. Open-pit mining of these resources leads to waste-rock piles, tailings ponds and open pits that must be reclaimed to equivalent landscape capability, with viable forests and wetlands, using only native vegetation. We strive to design the constructed geological landforms such that the hydrological characteristics are favourable for achieving the reclamation goals.