A researcher from Laurentian University is preparing to initiate a study utilizing honey bees to assist in remediation efforts at the Côté Gold Mine near Gogama, Ontario. Mateus Pepinelli secured a $100,000 grant from IAMGOLD to collaborate on a two-year research endeavor. The bees will gather environmental DNA from the areas being restored around the mine site. Pepinelli described the honey bees as valuable research aides, as they gather data for the project.
During the upcoming summer, Pepinelli and a team from IAMGOLD will establish three apiaries near the sections being rehabilitated by the company near the mine. At each apiary, a small fan with a specialized filter will be installed to capture traces of DNA that the bees carry into the hive. Pepinelli explained that by filtering the air from a honey bee colony, they can detect ecological interactions and collect small traces of external elements the bees encountered.
Following this, Pepinelli and his team will collect the filters and extract the environmental DNA for analysis in a laboratory setting. The extracted data will provide insights into various plant and microorganism species, including pathogens and unwanted elements like varroa mites.
Jessica Tratnik, IAMGOLD’s environmental and social governance lead at the Côté Gold Mine, emphasized the significance of the data obtained from the bees in monitoring the progress of rehabilitation efforts. The information gathered could help determine the success of planting native seeds and identify potential shortages in plant species or pollination issues. Tratnik highlighted the efficiency of using bees as a consistent source of information compared to periodic observations.
Graeme Jennings, IAMGOLD’s vice president of investor relations, noted that the Coté Gold Mine is expected to operate for over 20 more years, positioning it as a long-term asset. Tratnik stressed the importance of ongoing land rehabilitation efforts to expedite the return of eco sites to their natural state instead of waiting until production ceases.
