BUCKET WHEEL EXCAVATOR, FORT MCMURRAY, ALBERTA, CANADA
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Oil Sands investigates the complex issues surrounding the Albertan oil industry. The photographs record the ruthless exploitation of a valuable natural resource, as well as the explosive economic growth in the region.
This image shows one of the gigantic bucket wheel excavators used in open-pit mining operations at Fort McMurray. They operate continuously removing thousands of tons of soil, rock, and clay every day to access the bitumen sands beneath. Once extracted, the bitumen, a heavy crude oil, is separated from the sand and other solids using copious quantities of water. The toxic wastewater is stored in vast tailings ponds which many believe are polluting the water table and the Athabasca River with serious health consequences for First Nations people living off the land downstream.
In his foreword to the Oil Sands photobook, Dr John O’Connor reflects on what Gignoux’s images conjure for him: ‘I can almost hear the constant hum – the black background noise – of enormous piecTry it!
