To Mine Coal or Not? An Easy Resolution
Many Albertans have been keenly following the cancellation of the Rocky Mountain Eastern Slopes coal policy established by Peter Lougheed’s Progressive Conservative Government in 1976 (“Coal Policy”). The main effect of the policy was to ban strip or open pit coal mining in our iconic Rocky Mountains and Eastern Slopes.
On June 1, 2020 the Alberta government, very quietly and without any public consultation whatsoever (although the opinions of Australian and other coal mining companies, and coal lobbyists, were heard) cancelled the Coal Policy. This decision potentially affected over 700,000 hectares of one of Canada’s most beautiful and precious environments — home to numerous species of flora and fauna, some unique and endangered. The area includes the headwaters of numerous rivers (including the Oldman, Bow, Red Deer, and North and South Saskatchewan); they are the source of much of the drinking water in the Prairie Provinces, and are required for agriculture, industry and use by municipalities. Even in the absence of any other interference with this crucial liquid resource, life-altering shortages of river waters are forecast for our near future because of climate change (glacier melting and diminishing snow packs). The area in question is essential to the prairie province’s water reservoir and we cannot afford to interfere with it in any way.
Given the water perspective alone, why would our province permit any open pit coal mining in our Rockies and adjacent foothills? The proposed mines absolutely depend upon access to abundant supplies of water. Not only will these coal mines take from us — they will also return something to us. Toxic chemicals including selenium, arsenic and others will be deposited into the waters that flow across the prairies.
Based on a review of the scientific literature, there does not seem to be any existing, effective process for eliminating selenium from the coal-mining process. The best the mining companies can do is attempt to contain and monitor it. Alberta Environment recently confirmed that selenium was released into river systems from coal mines east of Jasper National Park at levels harmful to both animals and man; some of it is from mines that have been closed for many years. It is no wonder that most native species of trout in our former world-class fishing rivers and streams have been disappearing.
Even though Alberta’s Energy Minister has reinstated the Coal Policy, the provincial government has already reopened much of the Rocky Mountain foothills to open pit coal mining exploration. They have issued exploratory licences for many potential mines, including the areas around Race Horse Creek, Dutch Creek and Old Man River North recreation areas in the Crowsnest area of south-western Alberta, near Ram Falls and Crescent Falls and at the edge of Nordegg in the Bighorn area of west-central Alberta.
One might argue that these licenses are only for exploration, and not mining. But exploration involves vegetation clearing and building exploratory roads, drilling boreholes and other invasive measures. Even if no mining approval is ever obtained, permanent damage will already have been inflicted to this iconic, natural area and will affect streambeds, water flow, critical wildlife habitat and animal movement patterns. And why would these Australian mining companies even bother with exploration unless they expect approval to follow?
The UCP government claims the mining can be done with “due regard” to the environment, and that the initial policy change was done in order to create jobs and revenue. But even if you believe their doubtful claims of environmental stewardship, they and their acolytes are essentially rationalizing the degradation of our mountain areas solely based on economics.
But at what cost? The exploratory leases are being granted for a small fee that will not come close to repairing (if this is even possible) the damage that will be done. If subsequent mining leases are granted, what will Albertans receive as compensation? The government collects royalties set at one per cent of the revenue from the coal produced, but only after most of the mine’s infrastructure costs have been recovered by the mining company. And somewhat shockingly, the Alberta Government collects just $3.50 per hectare of land leased to coal companies. In my view, this sounds like a sell-out, for perhaps 2–300 jobs per mine that may not all go to Albertans. For the life of the mine, which is from 15 to 25 years. Who cleans up the mess? Can the area even be rehabilitated? What happens to the miners, their families and communities? And what is left of the environment?
The mining companies are primarily Australian owned or backed. Coal mining is a huge industry in Australia, which is dependent upon coal exports to China that have now significantly diminished because of inter-governmental disputes. These Australian companies are looking to Alberta as a backdoor channel into Chinese markets. Interestingly, Alberta’s coal royalty rate is only a fraction of Australia’s (1% versus 7%), yet many in Australia feel that their rate amounts to a giveaway.
And what if China closes or even reduces its markets for Canadian coal (China is also reducing its dependence on fossil fuels, particularly coal)? It would become economically unfeasible to keep producing Alberta coal. The Australians would pack up and head home, leaving a desecrated environment that would continue to leach toxic chemicals and require huge reclamation efforts. Let us not forget the Giant Gold Mine outside Yellowknife, which is costing the NWT and federal governments an estimated billion dollars over 10–20 years to clean up.
Albertans owe much to the various organizations and members of the media who researched the facts and raised our awareness of this hidden fiasco. And Albertans themselves have been vocal and persistent, in a way perhaps not seen before. But it’s not over yet — we will need to remain vigilant in our efforts to defend and protect the pristine and iconic foothills and slopes of our beloved Rocky Mountains.
Martin Prentice B.A., L.L.B., QC (retired) and Neil Gower B.A., L.L.B. QC (retired)
Photo of Turtle Mountain by Neil Gower
