Sand and Gravel Resources of the Athabasca Oil Sands Region, Northeastern Alberta

The Athabasca Oil Sands region is located in northeastern Alberta, and encompasses approximately 29,450 km². Fort McMurray is central to the region. This report assesses the available information and summarizes the sand and gravel resources using this information.

The most detailed information (surface and subsurface data) available covers the central part of the study area adjacent to the Clearwater and Athabasca Rivers. Away from the central area, mapping of aggregate deposits relied mainly upon surficial geology, soil maps and a sand and gravel aerial photo interpretation study. The major deposits of sand and gravel are of meltwater channel and outwash origin. These deposits are located adjacent to the Clearwater and Athabasca Rivers from just south of Fort McMurray to just north of the proposed Alsands townsite (Tp 48, R. 9, W4th Mer). Sand and gravel is being extracted from some of these deposits. Other deposits having good potential are terraces on the lower Athabasca River and the McKay River, outwash sand and gravel on Stony Mountain and in the northern part of the study area.

Other sources of aggregate material are outwash sand which is widespread in the northeast of the map area and a stony till occurring on Stony Mountain. The suitability of this till for aggregate is unknown.

This report meets the requirements for a reconnaissance level survey for northern Alberta. Further fieldwork in such a large area will depend upon client or user requirements.