Live in the Lab: Mini-Mud Monsters at the Britannia Mine Museum

Taking place Wednesdays to Sundays over Spring Break 2023 (March 15 – 19 and March 22 – 26) from 1:30PM to 4:00PM is “Live in the Lab: Mini Mud Monsters” drop-in sessions. Taking place inside the Terra Lab at the Britannia Mine Museum, the sessions will focus on the important environmental remediation lessons of the Britannia Mine.

Participants will meet tiny organisms from nearby Britannia Creek and learn how they help us understand the impacts of mining on local ecosystems. Located up the mountain from the Museum, Britannia Creek is a freshwater body that empties into Howe Sound/Átl'ka7tsem, Canada’s 19th UNESCO Biosphere Region. Dissolved metals from the mine due to acid rock drainage were once a significant source of pollution and Britannia Creek was heavily impacted. Skimming the creek for insect life and looking for pollution-intolerant species can help demonstrate the positive impacts of the Epcor Britannia Mine Water Treatment Plant, which has significantly improved water quality since 2005.

The Museum’s Terra Lab is an exhibit and STEAM programming space that allows for public and student engagement on the innovative exploration of sustainable mining, environmental remediation and our move towards sustainable resource extraction.