Mine terrain may be useful for mission to Mars

A failing asbestos mine in Quebec may be Canada’s ticket to Mars.

Canada’s space agency is interested in using the mine’s terrain to conduct simulation Mars missions.

Some say these test runs could increase Canada’s opportunities to participate in future space missions.

Scientists recently tested out the idea at Quebec’s Jeffrey Mine in the town of Asbestos.

According to a report by The Canadian Press, the goal of the project was to discover methane gas, a key indicator of life.

Scientists have already discovered methane in Mars’ atmosphere and are now trying to detect the gas on the planet’s surface with NASA’s Curiosity rover.

The Jeffrey mine is the last remaining asbestos mine in the country.

Operations are shutting down after the mine failed to receive a critical 58 million dollar loan from the new Parti Quebecois government.

STORY WRITTEN BY: ALYSSA TREMBLAY