GEOSCIENCE RESEARCH/MINING INVESTMENT – The Canadian federal government unveiled measures in mid-November to support geoscience research and mining investment in the country’s Far North. The Minister of Environment, the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and for the Arctic Council, Leona Aglukkaq, announced funding for projects in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories that would enhance geological knowledge, support infrastructure and major resource development, the mining sector and cultural industries. The government would invest more than C$6.7-million in these geoscience research projects. Combined with contributions from partners, the total investment would be more than C$12.4-million in geoscience research, which would help create jobs and prosperity for northerners. The Northwest Territories Geoscience Office and the Canada-Nunavut Geoscience Office would lead the projects in their respective regions. Each project would provide significant data and research that would be available to governments, academics, prospectors and companies. The projects also would enhance awareness of geological potential across Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. The 11 projects slated for funding in Nunavut, as listed in a news release, include: Bedrock mapping on southern Baffin Island. The Canada-Nunavut Geoscience Office will map and sample the area, to “improve baseline geoscience information” and details on “newly discovered mineral showings;” bedrock mapping in the Elu basin in the western Arctic; geochemical surveys on southern Baffin Island, in an area north of Iqaluit, to “provide baseline information on the metal potential;” studies in Baffin Bay, including Devon Island and northern Baffin Island, to identify petroleum source rocks and “assess petroleum resources in the region;” studies on industrial limestone on Southampton Island; mapping and evaluation of new carving stone on Baffin Island; satellite data aids to assist exploration and save exploration costs; mapping of Frobisher Bay’s seabed; permafrost-infrastructure analysis; geoscience surveys in western Hudson Bay; and, geoscience data dissemination – update to Nunavut’s mineral showings database, including new mineral showings from over 200 industry assessment reports valued at about $1 billion. “As a rule of thumb, one dollar spent on public geoscience encourages $5 to $10 of new industry exploration,” Nunavut Economic Development Minister George Kuksuk said at the news conference. “This exploration leads directly to new mines, and employment and development.” Aglukkaq noted that 30 potential mining projects in the North are now in “different stages” of development. “We’re estimating approximately 10,000 jobs in those projects,” she said.