Breadcrumb Path Hyperlinks
NewsEnergy
Austrialian-based Northback Holdings has resurrected a proposal for a steelmaking coal mine on Grassy Mountain within the Crowsnest Move
Article content material
Critics expressed frustration and concern over a possible coal mining operation on the japanese slopes of the Rocky Mountains, in a web-based city corridor assembly held by the Opposition NDP Wednesday night time.
Austrialian-based Northback Holdings, previously referred to as Benga Mining, resurrected final month a proposal for a steelmaking coal mine on Grassy Mountain within the Crowsnest Move. The corporate has utilized to the Alberta Vitality Regulator (AER) for licences that might enable the corporate to divert water, drill and probe for coal.
Commercial 2
Article content material
Article content material
However an Alberta ministerial order, issued final yr by former surroundings minister Sonya Savage, pauses coal mine exploration and growth throughout a lot of the province’s Rocky Mountains and japanese slopes, with the pause remaining in impact whereas land-use plans are being accomplished and particular guidelines for industrial growth are being decided.
“I’m listening to from lots of people (within the Grassy Mountain space) and throughout the province who’re nervous about what influence this can have on our panorama, our ecosystem and our economic system, and I’ve those self same considerations,” mentioned Calgary MLA Kathleen Ganley, the NDP’s power critic, throughout the assembly.
“Whereas it’s discouraging to see the federal government attempting to push forward with this as soon as once more, it’s conversations like this that give me hope that we will construct widespread assist to cease mining in these areas.”
There’s “growing proof” that the UCP authorities intends to maneuver ahead once more with coal mining within the japanese slopes, mentioned Ganley.
“Corporations don’t spend cash doing exploratory drilling on initiatives which might be a particular no,” she mentioned. “We recommend that they know one thing that we don’t.”
Headline Information
Article content material
Commercial 3
Article content material
The NDP has twice launched its Japanese Slopes Safety Act, however the governing UCP has refused to debate the proposed laws, mentioned Ganley.
“The invoice would have enshrined safety of the Rocky Mountains in laws, which might make it harder for future governments to take away these protections,” mentioned Ganley.
The short- and long-term results the challenge would have on the surroundings, ingesting water and tourism outweigh the “restricted royalties” the province would obtain from the challenge, she mentioned.
“The enterprise case for coal mining within the japanese slopes simply isn’t there,” mentioned Ganley.
The NDP has requested questions on coal mining throughout the first two days of the present sitting of the legislature, mentioned Ganley.
“We’re bringing this to the legislature, proper from day one, and I can’t think about we’re going to cease any time quickly — not till the minister provides me a solution I’m happy with, which most likely shall be by no means.”
Throughout Wednesday’s assembly, attended by over 100 contributors, considerations have been raised in regards to the results the proposed Grassy Mountain challenge would have on water, the surroundings, at-risk species resembling trout and grizzly bears, and Indigenous treaty rights.
Commercial 4
Article content material
“No additional coal mining ought to go forward,” mentioned one speaker. “It doesn’t simply put fish, grizzlies and the no matter in danger — it places all of us in danger.”
In a press release Thursday to Postmedia, the workplace of Alberta Vitality and Minerals Minister Brian Jean mentioned the province is protecting “robust restrictions in place” on coal mining.
“The purposes for these exploration drilling actions are being reviewed by the AER,” the assertion reads. “An software doesn’t essentially imply it is going to be accredited. The 2022 Ministerial Order stops purposes on coal initiatives however does enable for exceptions for purposes from energetic coal mines, from superior coal initiatives and purposes for security and safety actions.”
The Grassy Mountain qualifies as a sophisticated coal challenge as a result of the challenge has had a challenge abstract and an environmental influence evaluation filed with the AER for a number of years earlier than the 2022 ministerial order, Jean’s workplace mentioned within the assertion.
Northback Holdings didn’t reply to Postmedia’s request for remark.
— With information from The Canadian Press
Article content material
Share this text in your social community
