Results for tag: "Tar Sands"

Tar sands, also known as oil sands, are a type of unconventional petroleum deposit that contain a mixture of sand, clay, water, and bitumen, which can be extracted and upgraded to crude oil. Though not strictly within the metals and minerals markets, tar sands development shares various intersections with these sectors. The extraction and processing of tar sands require large amounts of water and energy, often sourced from natural gas, and result in emissions and environmental concerns. The mining and upgrading process involves substantial earth-moving activities and the use of large mining equipment, trucks, and shovels, much like operations in the metals and mining industry. Moreover, the creation of infrastructure to support tar sands operations, such as roads and facilities, often entails the use of steel and other metals. Companies operating within tar sands also engage in land reclamation and tailings management, analogous to practices in the metals and minerals industries, aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of extraction activities. Major players in the tar sands market that engage in the extraction, upgrading, and processing of these resources include Suncor Energy, Syncrude, Imperial Oil, Canadian Natural Resources Limited, and Cenovus Energy. These companies operate primarily in Canada, within the province of Alberta, where the largest deposits of tar sands are located. Show Less Read more