Tyler Ciufo, BSc ’16 (Earth Sciences, Geology Specialization), MSc ’19 (Earth Sciences)
By Elizabeth Kleisath
Communications Officer, Advancement
As Canadians, we love being leaders in groundbreaking new technologies like the Canadarm, and BlackBerry phones, but have you ever stopped to think about the materials behind these advances in technology, and how they impact our planet?
Science alum Tyler Ciufo, BSc ’16 (Earth Sciences, Geology Specialization), MSc’19 (Earth Sciences), is very aware of how much we rely on mining and the materials it produces. Various mined materials, including gold, are necessary in our everyday life, from the batteries and electronic circuits within the phones in our pockets to medical diagnosis tools and devices like pacemakers. If a natural material is not grown, it’s extracted from the Earth, and these materials are essential resources. There are, however, ways to make mining more responsible and environmentally sustainable.
“When I was deciding what to study, I was initially deciding between environmental science and geology,” says Tyler. “I realized you can work in industry and still bring an environmental and sustainability mindset to what you do… you have to.”
As an undergraduate student in Earth Sciences at the University of ݮƵ, Tyler increased his passion for geology and found a community of like-minded individuals. During his degree, Tyler discovered a love for both the field and the lab through undergraduate courses and also realized that he enjoyed working in industry from his co-op experiences.
Upon considering graduate schools, Tyler didn’t have to look far, deciding to pursue his master’s under the lead-supervision of one of his favourite ݮƵ professors, Dr. Chris Yakymchuk. “The project Chris had was perfect for me — it involved gold exploration, economic geology, working with industry, and specifically, studying alteration. The project focused on examining how the rock changed as the gold deposit formed,” he said. “Chris is super passionate, both about geology and about teaching. He is an excellent role model and kept me interested in geology.”
As a member of Dr. Yakymchuk’s research group, and also supported by Dr. Shoufa Lin’s co-supervision and extensive geological expertise, Tyler focused on the alteration footprint around the Island Gold deposit, using mineralogy, geochemistry, and characterization tools to study how the deposit was created and how the surrounding rock changed.
“Tyler is the perfect example of a scientist who is passionate, caring, and driven to make the world a better place,” says Yakymchuk. “I am thrilled that Tyler and many of our geology students go out into the world ready to help with the global challenges ahead.”
Under the guidance of both Yakymchuk and Lin, Tyler studied the sulphur isotopes in minerals associated with the gold, which can indicate the origin of the gold in the deposit. His work suggested that the gold likely came from the Earth’s mantle or igneous rocks within the earth’s crust. Tyler also studied the age of the surrounding rocks and timing of alteration using geochronological methods involving analysis of zircons.
“Now, years later, I’m actually back working at Alamos Gold Inc., the company that owns the gold deposit I studied,” he says. “It’s really cool to directly apply my research. I actually use my thesis regularly, at least once a week.”
As an exploration geologist, Tyler looks for extensions to the existing deposit or potential sites of new gold deposits. With his experience studying the alteration footprint around the Island Gold deposit, he is familiar with what markers to look for nearby. This helps track the system and identify where to look for the next gold deposit.
“People are often unaware of how much we rely on mining and the variety of materials that it produces, such as silver, gold, copper, and lithium. It needs to be done, but there are ways to do it responsibly. We need to have a solid reclamation plan and actively minimize our impact. I think about this on a daily basis.”
For those inspired to contribute to this crucial work, or other cutting-edge advances in sustainability, earth sciences, and environmental research currently being pursued in the Faculty of Science, we invite you to connect with the Director of Science Advancement to learn how your generosity can make a difference. Philanthropic support is transformative in advancing scientific research and enabling sustainable exploration.