
By NASA Earth Observatory - http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=40997, Public Domain
Alberta launches $50M push to accelerate oil sands tailings cleanup
Alberta is investing $50 million from its Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) fund into new technologies aimed at speeding up the cleanup of oil sands tailings ponds and reclaiming mine water.
The Tailings Technology Challenge, led by Emissions Reduction Alberta, will fund pilot projects and scalable solutions to treat tailings—a mix of water, sand, clay, and residual bitumen left over from oil extraction. The initiative seeks to cut costs, reduce environmental risks, and restore land more quickly.
“Alberta’s government is taking action by funding technologies that make treating oil sands water faster, effective, and affordable,” said Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz. “This challenge will help demonstrate our global reputation for sustainable energy development.”
Oil sands operators have already reduced freshwater use per barrel by 28 per cent since 2013, while recycling rates have jumped 51 per cent. Still, billions of litres of water remain stored in tailings ponds, posing long-term reclamation challenges.
“Tailings management remains one of the most significant hurdles for the sector,” said Justin Riemer, CEO of Emissions Reduction Alberta. “This funding targets solutions that are scalable, cost-effective, and environmentally sound.”
The program, open to industry and tech providers until September 24, will award up to $15 million per project. Kendall Dilling of the Pathways Alliance called it a “critical step” in advancing oil sands sustainability.
Alberta requires operators to fully reclaim mining sites, with ongoing research shaping regulations and best practices.
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