The Geological Services Division of the Mineral Resources Branch in the Department of Natural Resources is the principal source in the Government of Nova Scotia of information and expertise regarding the geology and geological resources of the province. The division compiles and disseminates geological databases, reports, maps and models in order to promote responsible mineral, energy and water resource evaluation and development, support better land-use planning, and enhance public health and safety.
Programs in the Geological Services Division
Geological Mapping, Environmental Geology and Hydrogeology Section
Hydrogeology/Water Resources Program
Geological Resource Evaluation and Economic Development Section
Geoscience Information Services Section
Geographic Information System (GIS) Program
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Geological Mapping Program
Purpose
- To produce geological maps for all areas of Nova Scotia as a framework for mineral, energy and water resource assessment, to support land-use planning, and to assist with ensuring public health and safety.
Objectives
- To produce standard, high-quality digital maps and supporting databases of the bedrock and surficial geology of Nova Scotia.
- To assist clients with interpreting and using geological maps through direct contact, preparation of geological reports and public presentations.
Scope
- Digital compilation of a 1:500 000 scale bedrock geology map of Nova Scotia to provide a province-wide framework of bedrock geology.
- Digital compilation of a 1:500 000 scale surficial geology map of Nova Scotia to provide a province-wide framework of surficial geology.
- 1:50 000 scale geological mapping of bedrock and surficial geology to gain a better understanding of regional geology, structure and stratigraphy.
- Detailed 1:1 000 to 1:10 000 scale geological mapping to address specific questions of correlation and/or structural geology associated with geological resource assessment, land-use planning, or public health and safety.
- Development of geological models to gain a better understanding of the geological history of Nova Scotia.
- Prepare geological reports and presentations that interpret
and discuss the information presented by the geological maps.
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Environmental Geology Program
Purpose
- Identify and assess geological hazards1 that have significant potential to affect public health, safety and land use in Nova Scotia.
Objectives
- Document the coastal areas of Nova Scotia that are at risk of being adversely affected by erosion and/or flooding due to major storms.
- Determine how the shore environment is being affected by measures taken to mitigate coastal erosion.
- Document and assess geological hazards associated with karst topography, slope stability and the naturally occurring geochemistry and structural geology of bedrock and surficial deposits.
- Provide the main source of expertise on geological hazards within the Government of Nova Scotia.
Scope
- Regional and local surveys to determine coastal erosion rates through the use of air photo interpretation and field studies.
- Regional and local surveys to document and assess geological factors that are affecting rates of coastal erosion.
- Regional and local surveys to assess the risk of coastal areas experiencing flooding and storm damage through the use of mapping, field studies and modelling of remote sensing data (e.g. LIDAR, digital elevation, etc.).
- Regional and local surveys to document and assess how measures used to protect the coast from erosion are affecting sediment supply and distribution in the shore environment.
- Regional and detailed geochemical surveys to identify the source and location of elevated levels of elements (e.g. mercury, arsenic) and compounds that have the potential to adversely affect human health.
- Identification and documentation of geological hazards associated with geomorphic features such as karst topography and slope stability.
- Assist clients with interpreting and using the program findings through direct consultation, publication of geological reports and presentations at conferences.
- Provide input as required on creation of policy to deal with geological hazards.
1Geological Hazards: Natural earth processes or phenomena that may cause the loss of life or injury, property damage, social and economic disruption or environmental degradation.
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Hydrogeology/Water Resources Program
Purpose
- To provide scientific information on the quality, availability and vulnerability of groundwater in Nova Scotia and make this information available to help manage the province's water resources.
Objectives
- To prepare a series of regional groundwater assessment reports to describe the quality, availability and vulnerability of groundwater in Nova Scotia.
- To prepare digital (GIS) hydrogeological maps of Nova Scotia.
- To communicate project results to government and clients.
Scope
- Provide a series of regional groundwater assessment reports for Nova Scotia at the province-wide scale and county-municipal scale.
- Provide a series of 1:500 000 and 1:50 000 scale hydrogeological maps of bedrock and surficial hydrostratigraphic units throughout Nova Scotia.
- Provide a series of 1:500 000 and 1:50 000 scale groundwater vulnerability maps for Nova Scotia.
- Collect groundwater quality and quantity data to help prepare the reports and maps described above. This includes, but is not limited to: aquifer distribution data, aquifer properties (transmissivity, storativity, anisotropy, porosity) and groundwater chemistry. These data may be collected from existing sources and, as resources permit, by carrying out field work (including drilling, groundwater level mapping, hydraulic testing, geophysics, and water and soil sampling).
- Prepare individual aquifer assessments to map high-priority aquifers, quantify recharge rates, evaluate sustainable yield, determine groundwater flow patterns, evaluate groundwater-surface water interaction and assess groundwater quality.
- Develop groundwater models for high-priority aquifers across the province and use these models to evaluate sustainable groundwater yields and groundwater vulnerability.
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Mineral Resources Program
Purpose
- Document and study the province's mineral resources to determine their economic potential and ensure the maximum benefit from these resources for the people of Nova Scotia.
Objectives
- Maintain and update the mineral occurrence database for precious metal, base metal and industrial mineral resources, and to make this information accessible to all clients.
- Conduct mineral deposit studies of individual deposits and/or mineral districts in order to ascertain the geological parameters, mineralization controls, and where possible to characterize the metallogenetic setting.
- Conduct regional studies for specific commodities in order to update the database and create resource potential maps and reports for these commodities.
- Create and maintain timely updates of regional mineral resource potential maps and reports that include all of the known mineral (and energy) resources of the region.
Scope
- Provide timely updates of basic information for all known mineral resource occurrences in the province.
- Provide detailed studies of 'type' deposits and occurrences summarized in published reports.
- Prepare mineral commodity potential maps for prospective regions in the province at appropriate scale.
- Prepare and update regional (1:100 000 scale) mineral and energy resource potential maps for the province in order to facilitate appropriate land-use planning. Ensure geological resources are represented appropriately in the Integrated Resource Management (IRM) process.
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Economic Development Program
Purpose
- Promote the geological resources of the province in order to stimulate safe and effective economic development to the benefit of the people of Nova Scotia.
Objectives
- Prepare promotional material and publications on the geological resources of the province, including industrial minerals, aggregate, coal, base- and precious-metals, fossils and mineral specimens for collecting.
- Provide opportunities to promote Nova Scotia's mineral exploration and development potential to the local, national and international mining industry.
- Investigate opportunities for partnerships with groups and agencies to promote economic development related to the province's geological resources.
- Investigate opportunities for secondary processing of the province's mineral commodities to maximize benefits for Nova Scotians.
- Increase overall understanding and awareness of the economic significance of Nova Scotia's geological resources.
Scope
- Publish quarterly newsletter Minerals Update, DNR Information Circulars and Reports, and articles in publications to identify opportunities to clients.
- Plan and coordinate annual conferences, including Mining Matters, Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada, BC & Yukon Exploration Roundup, and other appropriate venues for promoting Nova Scotia's mineral exploration and development opportunities.
- Interact with other government agencies and departments (e.g. OED, NSBI, RDAs, ACOA, ECBC, local universities, InnovaCorp) to maximize coordination of efforts towards economic development of geological resources.
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Energy Resources Program
Purpose
- Document and study the energy resources of Nova Scotia,
excluding oil and gas.
Objectives
- Maintain and update an energy occurrence database and to make this information accessible to all clients.
- Conduct energy resource studies of individual occurrences and/or basins in order to ascertain the geological parameters, controls on formation, and where possible characterize the nature of deposits.
- Conduct regional studies for specific commodities to update the database and create commodity resource potential maps and reports for these commodities.
- Create and maintain timely updates of regional energy resource potential maps and reports that include all of the known energy resources of the region.
Scope
- Provide inventory of coal resources for the province.
- Provide basic deposit information and geological setting for energy resources including coal, oil shale, peat and uranium, throughout the province.
- Provide detailed studies of 'type' deposits and occurrences summarized in published reports.
- Prepare energy resource potential maps outlining prospective regions in the province for representation in the Integrated Resource Management (IRM) processes.
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Geographic Information System (GIS) Program
Purpose
- Provide clients and staff with high-quality digital geoscience data.
Objectives
- Develop and maintain the province's primary geoscience Geographic Information System (GIS) databases.
- Provide leadership in the development and deployment of digital geoscience data technologies and applications.
Scope
- Provide free, downloadable digital geoscience data on Nova Scotia to staff and clients.
- Provide access to interactive geoscience maps, data and digital databases through Internet technologies to staff and clients.
- Provide a current web site of branch activities and affairs.
- Provide technical support and advice to staff and clients on training, use, development and deployment of digital geoscience technologies and applications.
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Publications Program
Purpose
- Produce consistent, high-quality, timely and cost-effective reporting on activities carried out by the Mineral Resources Branch (MRB).
Objectives
- Publish high-quality, timely and cost-effective geoscience maps and reports.
- Publish the quarterly newsletter Nova Scotia Mineral Update.
Scope
- Ensure that all geoscience manuscript maps and reports follow MRB standards for peer review, content and style.
- Ensure that all geoscience manuscript maps and reports meet the editorial standards described in the Geological Survey of Canada's Guide to Authors.
- Prepare geoscience maps, reports and newsletter for release in hard copy and/or on the MRB web site.
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Core Library Program
Purpose
- Maintain and operate a facility to provide secure storage and archive for valuable drill core samples, cuttings and other geological sample materials obtained from drilling and other geological surveys conducted by the public and private sector.
Objectives
- Provide access for staff and clients to examine drill core and other geological sample materials and records stored in the Core Library for further research, study and economic development.
- Provide working areas and equipment for the use of staff and clients when examining the archived materials.
Scope
- Provide secure storage and archive for drill core and other geological sample materials and records and data relevant to them, and for files, data, maps and records resulting from geological programs.
- Catalogue and record information pertaining to the origin, receipt, use and disposition of the archived materials.
- Develop, maintain and update related publicly accessible databases.
- Evaluate archived drill core and other geological sample materials and discard them when they are deemed to be of little future value.
- Monitor drilling activity in Nova Scotia and acquire selected representative drill core and other geological sample media for the Core Library collections.