Tent Mountain Coal Mine. (Montem Resources)

By David Opinko

New coal mine restrictions announced for Alberta

Mar 4, 2022 | 12:05 PM

CROWSNEST PASS, AB – The Alberta Government is expanding coal restrictions along the province’s southwest border.

Energy Minister Sonya Savage says they are building on the provisions of the 1976 Coal Policy to ensure stronger protections are in place in the Eastern Slopes, an area that includes the Crowsnest Pass and sections to the east and north of Banff and Jasper National Parks.

“We’re committed to protecting the Eastern Slopes. The Coal Policy Committee’s reports and Indigenous engagement make it clear that modernizing Alberta’s management of coal resources is a complex undertaking and must be done with care. By keeping the 1976 coal policy firmly in place and halting coal activity in the Eastern Slopes, we are acting on the committee’s recommendation and allowing for additional planning for this unique area.”

A new ministerial order expands the halt on coal exploration in Category 2 lands to also include exploration and development in Category 3 and 4 lands. A map showing which areas this includes can be found at the bottom of this article.

The new, expanded restrictions on coal activities entail:

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• All existing legislation related to coal activities and Alberta’s regulatory system remains in place
• The 1976 coal policy continues to apply across the province
• Activities already in progress for active mines and advanced projects can continue, as can activities related to security or safety
• Abandonment and reclamation activities can resume

There are four proposed mines in the Eastern Slopes that are considered to be “advanced projects,” meaning they are far along the regulatory process but have not yet received final approval.

Two are in the Crowsnest Pass – Grassy Mountain and Tent Mountain. The others are closer to Jasper – Mine 14 and the Vista Expansion.

In August 2021, the federal government announced that the Grassy Mountain Coal Project would not be able to proceed due to the harms it has the potential to pose to surface water quality, endangered species, and the physical and cultural heritage of local First Nations.

READ MORE: Federal government says proposed coal mine in southwestern Alberta can’t proceed

READ MORE: Alberta court denies appeal of regulator’s refusal to approve coal mine in Crowsnest Pass

Despite Grassy Mountain’s permit being denied, officials with the provincial government say it will remain an “advanced project” until Benga Mining Limited completely pulls out of it. Benga will still be allowed to go through the regulatory process.

In June 2020, the province rescinded the 1976 Coal Policy and reinstated it the following year due to intense public scrutiny.

What followed were periods of consultations that saw 24,752 total responses including 13,829 from the south region.

The Coal Policy Committee received 1,000 direct emails and 170 technical submissions. They also hosted 70 meetings with interested parties and discussions with 35 Indigenous communities.

The ministerial order was made as a result of what the province says was “strong opposition to coal development in the Eastern Slopes.” Many were concerned about the impacts coal mining could have on water, landscapes, and ecosystems, as well as reclamation work.

Others voiced support for the development of new mines due to the economic benefits they could bring.

The new provisions announced Friday will remain in place until new land-use legislation has been enacted. These are reviewed every 10 years for specific regions.

Savage says that the new land-use legislation in the regions that encompass the Eastern Slopes will include mining-related provisions.

Below are two maps that show the “category” areas in the Eastern Slopes, as well as mines that are active, advanced, or impacted by the ministerial order.

(Government of Alberta)

(Government of Alberta)