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Geothermal bonds: when Chilean scientists came to Nova Scotia
In August 2010, the San José mine collapsed in the South American country of Chile. It was one of the worst mining disasters in the country's history. Thirty-three men were trapped underground for sixty-nine days, nearly five kilometers from the entrance of the mine. The dramatic rescue effort was broadcast live around the world and captivated millions. The whole world breathed a collective sigh of relief when every man was brought to the surface alive.
In August 2010, the San José mine collapsed in the South American country of Chile. It was one of the worst mining disasters in the country's history. Thirty-three men were trapped underground for sixty-nine days, nearly five kilometers from the entrance of the mine. The dramatic rescue effort was broadcast live around the world and captivated millions. The whole world breathed a collective sigh of relief when every man was brought to the surface alive.
In the midst of the rescue effort, I sent a note to the acting Chilean ambassador to Canada, His Excellency Roberto Ibarra Garc’a, wishing them success in the operation to save the miners. I also mentioned that my riding had experienced its own share of tragic mining disasters, most notably in Springhill, Nova Scotia.
Shortly after, the ambassador contacted my office and asked if he could meet with me. I assumed he wanted to talk about the rescue. However, once we exchanged greetings, he said:
"For a long time, I've wanted to talk to someone about how Springhill, Nova Scotia, takes advantage of geothermal energy from former coal mines, now filled with warm water. Chile has many isolated communities with access to deep crevices and caves extending far into the Earth."
At the bottom of these formations lies warm water, but Chile had not yet found a successful way to harness this geothermal heat for buildings or community energy, as had been done in Springhill. He wondered if there might be a way to exchange knowledge between our countries, to help Chile address one of its biggest challenges: supplying energy to remote communities.
Chile must be a difficult country to manage geographically. No other nation has its proportions — it is 24 times longer than it is wide. From north to south, it stretches over 4,270 km (2,653 miles) but averages just 177 km (110 miles) east to west. It is a country of mountains and isolation and craggy coastlines.
The attached map shows a map of Chile superimposed on North America to give a sense of scale.
In August 2010, the San José mine collapsed in the South American country of Chile. It was one of the worst mining disasters in the country's history. Thirty-three men were trapped underground for sixty-nine days, nearly five kilometers from the entrance of the mine. The dramatic rescue effort was broadcast live around the world and captivated millions. The whole world breathed a collective sigh of relief when every man was brought to the surface alive.
In the midst of the rescue effort, I sent a note to the acting Chilean ambassador to Canada, His Excellency Roberto Ibarra Garc’a, wishing them success in the operation to save the miners. I also mentioned that my riding had experienced its own share of tragic mining disasters, most notably in Springhill, Nova Scotia.
Shortly after, the ambassador contacted my office and asked if he could meet with me. I assumed he wanted to talk about the rescue. However, once we exchanged greetings, he said:
"For a long time, I've wanted to talk to someone about how Springhill, Nova Scotia, takes advantage of geothermal energy from former coal mines, now filled with warm water. Chile has many isolated communities with access to deep crevices and caves extending far into the Earth."
At the bottom of these formations lies warm water, but Chile had not yet found a successful way to harness this geothermal heat for buildings or community energy, as had been done in Springhill. He wondered if there might be a way to exchange knowledge between our countries, to help Chile address one of its biggest challenges: supplying energy to remote communities.
Chile must be a difficult country to manage geographically. No other nation has its proportions — it is 24 times longer than it is wide. From north to south, it stretches over 4,270 km (2,653 miles) but averages just 177 km (110 miles) east to west. It is a country of mountains and isolation and craggy coastlines.
The attached map shows a map of Chile superimposed on North America to give a sense of scale.
Eventually, we arranged for five Chilean scientists to come to Nova Scotia to visit Springhill. I picked them up in a passenger van at the Halifax airport. No sooner had we set off than they pulled out a large geological map of Nova Scotia and began tracing our route through the province's hills and valleys. They were completely absorbed in the geology of Nova Scotia.
As we drove, their excitement grew. When we crossed the Cobequid/Chedabucto Fault System, they became especially animated. This major fault line divides Nova Scotia into two geologically distinct regions.
North of the fault lies the Avalon terrane, which originated as part of Europe. South of the fault is the Meguma terrane, which was once part of Africa. The Chilean scientists were thrilled to explain Nova Scotia's complex geology to me. It was nice to learn about my own province!
As we drove, their excitement grew. When we crossed the Cobequid/Chedabucto Fault System, they became especially animated. This major fault line divides Nova Scotia into two geologically distinct regions.
North of the fault lies the Avalon terrane, which originated as part of Europe. South of the fault is the Meguma terrane, which was once part of Africa. The Chilean scientists were thrilled to explain Nova Scotia's complex geology to me. It was nice to learn about my own province!
Once we arrived in Springhill and got settled, the first thing they wanted to do was see mobile homes. The concept was new to them, but they thought it could be a potential solution to Chile's housing needs.
Eventually, we visited the Dr. Carson & Marion Murray Community Centre, an ice rink and community facility that is heated and cooled using geothermal energy drawn from the old coal mines beneath the town.
They were absolutely fascinated by ice. None of them had ever been on ice before, and they would just slip and slide around the ice rink at every opportunity. A delightful group and interested in everything. They wanted to know how the system worked to heat and cool, and were amazed to learn that even the seats were being heated in the rink.
Over the next few days, we toured factories and other buildings in the region that used similar systems. The visitors pored over geological maps, comparing the local terrain with that of their own country, eager to find parallels and opportunities.
By the time their three-day visit ended, they had gathered a wealth of information about geology, geothermal technology, mobile homes, ice rinks, and the people of Nova Scotia. It was a great exchange of ideas and knowledge. It just started with an email wishing them well in their rescue efforts.
As a coincidence, today is June 11, William Davis Miners' Memorial Day, an annual day of remembrance in Nova Scotia's coal mining communities to honour miners who lost their lives in the province's mines. It's a reminder of the shared history and resilience that connect mining communities around the world.
Eventually, we visited the Dr. Carson & Marion Murray Community Centre, an ice rink and community facility that is heated and cooled using geothermal energy drawn from the old coal mines beneath the town.
They were absolutely fascinated by ice. None of them had ever been on ice before, and they would just slip and slide around the ice rink at every opportunity. A delightful group and interested in everything. They wanted to know how the system worked to heat and cool, and were amazed to learn that even the seats were being heated in the rink.
Over the next few days, we toured factories and other buildings in the region that used similar systems. The visitors pored over geological maps, comparing the local terrain with that of their own country, eager to find parallels and opportunities.
By the time their three-day visit ended, they had gathered a wealth of information about geology, geothermal technology, mobile homes, ice rinks, and the people of Nova Scotia. It was a great exchange of ideas and knowledge. It just started with an email wishing them well in their rescue efforts.
As a coincidence, today is June 11, William Davis Miners' Memorial Day, an annual day of remembrance in Nova Scotia's coal mining communities to honour miners who lost their lives in the province's mines. It's a reminder of the shared history and resilience that connect mining communities around the world.