College, Yukon Geological Survey invite geologists to sample Yukon’s unique features

WHITEHORSE—Over 400 geologists, academics and graduate students will be in Yukon next week for the annual joint conference of the Geological Association of Canada (GAC) and the Mineralogical Association of Canada (MAC).

The Margins Through Time conference runs June 1-3 at Yukon College’s Ayamdigut campus. Six field trips before and after the conference will allow delegates to experience Yukon history, geology and mine reclamation at the Klondike and Keno mine districts, Whitehorse Copper Belt, Chatham Strait in Southeast Alaska, Kluane region and the Faro mine complex.

Hosted by Yukon College and Yukon Geological Survey, this will be the first time the 59-year-old annual conference has ventured to Yukon.

“We are delighted for this opportunity to showcase the unique history, culture and geology of the northern Cordillera region to 2016 conference delegates. We have put together a broad program which spans over one billion years and features a wide range of geoscience research,” said Dr. Joel Cubley, conference co-chair and coordinator of the Geology Technology program at Yukon College.

“Hosting this national conference in Whitehorse gives us the opportunity to showcase the diverse aspects of Yukon’s geology. The Yukon Geological Survey is looking forward to continued collaboration with the global experts who will be in attendance, which may prompt new geoscience research in Yukon,” said Dr. Carolyn Relf, conference chair and director of the Yukon Geological Survey.

Geologists from Yale University, Notre Dame University, Dartmouth College, University of Tasmania, McGill University, University of Alberta, University of British Columbia, Memorial University, Laurentian University, University of Victoria, University of Toronto, Carleton University, Queens University, University of Calgary, Western University, Curtin University of Technology, University of Manitoba, University of Saskatchewan and University of Western Ontario will present research alongside representatives from the Geological Surveys of Yukon, N.W.T., B.C., Manitoba and Canada.

Yukon College faculty and research staff will also present and chair technical sessions at the  conference. Norman Easton will co-chair and present on geoarchaeology, Dr. Fabrice Calmels and Dr. Bronwyn Benkert will co-chair a session on geohazards in a changing climate, and Dr. Amelie will co-chair an environmental stewardship in mining session.

There will be two public lectures at the Beringia Centre associated with the conference. Dr. Grant Zazula, Yukon paleontologist, will present Ice Age Klondike – frozen mammoths from the goldfields on Wednesday, June 1 at 7:30 p.m. and JoAnne Nelson, a retired geologist with the British Columbia Geological Survey, will present Beautiful Lofty Things – Yukon’s favorite mountains on Thursday, June 2 at 7:30 p.m.

There will also be short public talks at 11:30 a.m. each day at Ayamdigut campus by three medalist winners:

• Logan Medalist (GAC) – Dr. Brian Jones, University of Alberta - Hot Springs, Microbes, and Precipitates (June 1)
• Peacock Medalist (MAC) – Dr. Peter Burns, Notre Dame University - From uranium mineralogy to nanoscale uranium control and back (June 2)
• J.C. Sproule Northern Exploration Award (Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum; CIM) – Dr. James Mortensen, University of British Columbia - Perspectives on fifty years of tectonic and metallogenic research in the northern Cordillera (June 3)

Full conference registration is now closed, however interested people may purchase single-day registrations at the conference beginning May 31. More information can be found at the conference website - whitehorse2016.ca.

The 2016 GAC-MAC Conference Margins Through Time is sponsored by Yukon College, Yukon Geological Survey, Mineral Deposits Division of the Geological Association of Canada, Geoscientists Canada, Aurora Geosciences, Casino Mining Corporation, Victoria Gold Corporation, Archer Cathro and Associates, Franklin Geosciences, Arctic Backhoe, Alkan Air, Air North and RyanWood Exploration.