Alberta Energy Regulator (Aer) Recent coal exploration approval On the eastern slopes of the rock mountains are a rapid reaction of landowners, mayors and community groups throughout the south of Alberta.
The debate on the Renaissance of coal development in the region has been controversial for a long time, and supporters argue that economic development could lead to the communities that need it. On the other hand, those who oppose the project increase concerns about long -term risks for land and water.
Thursday, Northback Holdings requests from Northback approved Aer with conditions to carry out a coal exploration program at the Grassy Mountain site, which is located in the Ranchland municipal district.
In a written decision, the regulator said the requests met all the regulatory requirements and that the exploration program was of public interest.
He added that the applications were not for a coal mine, but for an exploration program on the existing unlawful grass mountain mine site.
“The exploration program is designed to improve Northback’s understanding on the scope of the coal tank of the grass mountain, obtain raw coal samples and structurally model the complexities of coal roads,” says the decision.
He adds that if Northback decides to continue with the mines applications in Grassy Mountain in the future, he must follow a “rigorous regulatory process that all resources development applications must follow” and that accepting exploration applications “does not constitute the approval of a coal mine.”
The mayor of Crowsnest Pass, Blair Painter, welcomed the regulator’s decision and referred to Northback’s promise that the mine would use approximately 300 people at the workplace if it will advance.
He added that he recognized the environmental debate also in the game.
“We all want clean water. I want clean water. All Crowsnest Pass residents want clean water,” he said in an interview.
“This gives Northback a chance. If they succeed in moving forward with the mining application, then we can feel sure they will do so within the regulations of the province and the federal government when it comes to clean water.”
Concerns about Selenium
Last year, Crowsnest residents pass Voted decisively in favor of the project in a non -binding voteWith more than 70 percent of voters expressing their support.
However, the mine is not located in the Pass Cowsnest, but in the nearby Municipal District of Ranchland, which has long been maintained in opposition to the project.
“The decision, of course, is very disappointing, although not unexpected,” said Ron Davis, Reeve of Ranchland’s MD, in an interview.
The mountain of grass was previously rejected In 2021 by the Federal Government, which said that the project would probably cause significant adverse environmental effects, including “in the quality of surface water, even the discharge of selenium effluents.”
In his opposition, Ranchland had noticed environmental concerns linked to selenium, but the regulator declared in his recent decision that these concerns did not apply to exploration work.
The Aer said that, according to its conclusions, “the impacts of the exploration program on the quality and quantity of water and in the Users downstream of the Oldman River are unlikely.”
The ‘elephant in the room’
Even so, some landowners and environmental defenders say that development prepares the scenario for coal mining in a critical basin that provides drinking water to more than 200,000 people.
“The elephant in the room is that it is not an exploration permit … It is the next step or in the box to take the next steps to go for a mine,” said Norma Dougal, which is on the board of directors of the Livingstone owners group.
“What we hope is totally is to have to return and waste our time at a full -fledged audience. When it has already been shown that a mine in Grassy is not in the best interest of Alberta, economically or environmentally.”
Davis, Ranchland’s Reeve, said he expected Northback not to exploration if they had no interest in opening a coal mine. He added that the MD continues to have environmental concerns.
“The south of Alberta is a very poor area in water. And the loss of any water or basin source is harmful to the south of Alberta in particular,” he said.
“And, of course, that goes along with the other problems of pollution of the water resources we have, which are scarce in the best case.”
Others in the region were waiting to see how the next steps would develop. The mayor of Fort Macleod, Brent Feyter, said his advice has not yet formally discussed approval.
However, he believes that drilling is a necessary part to understand how a potential mine could be.
“In general, drilling is necessary. That is our personal opinion, only if there is going to be something, they need to know what is there and the best way to manage it,” Feyter said.
“We are not trying to avoid concerns. On the other hand, we also recognize that coal is a requirement for many products used nationally, international.”
Northback permits will be valid for five years, according to the regulator’s decision. The last three years will be used for recovery work.
