Oilsands technological evolutionPeople often forget that the oilsands are fairly newly in production, especially in comparison to the life of production, or what has been produced so far versus what will be produced in aggregate. In other words, we have only begun.
We are likely only half way thru the learning curve. The best technological innovations are likely to come, as they take money to find and develop them. What better way to fund the R&D than with cash flow from production, within the industry, not only within companies.
This is happening.
The biggest enviro challenge the miners have in my opinion is the tailings ponds. But that too will come to pass. In fact a recent Oilsands Review had an article about a small private firm that may very well have just the ticket to overcome the use of tailings ponds at all. Following is the article. Unfortunately, you don't get the pictures in the link. The pictures showed the processed sand and clay residual being dumped in a pile with a front end loader - the material was damp, not wet, and could be driven upon by machinery. It was that dry. Almost all the water gets recycled too - another major enviro challenge that may come to a rest.
The point to take is that improvements are going to happen. The industry is going to look alot different in 6 to 8 years.
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https://www.oilsandsreview.com/articles.asp?ID=555