Geoscience

Geological Survey Activity Tracker

Southwest Manitoba

 

Investigation of gypsum and anhydrite in Manitoba

 

Digital elevation map showing the distribution of the Upper Amaranth Member in green; NTS 50K sheets are labelled. Inlay is of gypsum from an active quarry. Click image to enlarge.Project Information

Principal investigators:
Kathryn Lapenskie, Michelle Nicolas

Partnered with:
CertainTeed Gypsum Canada Inc.

Location:
Southwestern Manitoba, Alonsa, Amaranth, and Langruth area of Neepawa, NTS 62J

 

Project Description

Main objectives:

The overall objective is to provide a comprehensive update to the 1959 report of “Gypsum-Anhydrite deposits of Manitoba” produced by B.B. Bannatyne (MGS Publication 58-2, which reviewed the previous 58 years of the gypsum industry in Manitoba).

Methodology:

  • Compilations of published and unpublished reports and assessment files, focusing on historical production and important events in the history of gypsum mining/quarrying.
  • Detailed geological descriptions of Manitoba gypsum deposits and occurrences, primarily within active quarries.
  • Examination of drillcores and thin sections.
  • Performing isotopic analysis of key stratigraphic sections and cores to perform stratigraphic correlations between various gypsum deposits.

 

Benefits:

The project addresses a need to document and provide current geoscientific information on a commodity (gypsum-anhydrite and its value-added products, e.g. wallboard) to industry and the public that is extremely valuable to the future industrial development of Manitoba’s Capital Region, and to the province as a whole.

 

Plans for fiscal year 2020–2021:

  • Publish final Open File report on gypsum resources in the Harcus-Amaranth area

 

Completed outputs:

2016–2017

Lapenskie, K. and Bamburak, J.D. 2016: Gypsum investigations in the Harcus area, southwestern Manitoba (NTS 62J10): 2016 update; in Report of Activities 2016, Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade, Manitoba Geological Survey, p. 181–186.

2015–2016

Lapenskie, K. and Bamburak, J.D. 2015: Preliminary evaluation of gypsum deposits in Harcus, southwestern Manitoba; Manitoba Mineral Resources, Manitoba Geological Survey, Manitoba Mining and Minerals Convention 2015, Winnipeg, Manitoba, November 18–20, 2015, oral presentation.

Lapenskie, K. and Bamburak, J.D. 2015: Preliminary evaluation of the gypsum-bearing Upper Amaranth Member in Harcus, southwestern Manitoba; Manitoba Mineral Resources, Manitoba Geological Survey, Manitoba Mining and Minerals Convention 2015, Winnipeg, Manitoba, November 18–20, 2015, poster presentation.

Lapenskie, K. and Bamburak, J.D. 2015: Preliminary results from geological investigations into gypsum, Harcus area, southwestern Manitoba (NTS 62J10); in Report of Activities 2015, Manitoba Mineral Resources, Manitoba Geological Survey, p. 106–114.

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