Canada Musn't Allow Vista Coal Mine Expansion Without Environmental Assessment - The Energy Mix

The Vista mine is located in Treaty 6 territory near Hinton, Alberta. To my knowledge, it’s the first thermal coal mine ever built in Canada for the sole purpose of supplying overseas coal plants.

Almost immediately after the mine opened in 2019, Coalspur Mines Ltd. applied for a massive new expansion. Right now, it’s approved to extract about six million tonnes of coal per year. But the company told the regulator it plans to increase that to upwards of 15 million tonnes, and in one recent publication, Coalspur announced its intention to push that as high as 20 million tonnes in the future.

So this is a massive mine, on a scale that is almost unprecedented—it would be one of the largest if not the largest coal mine in Canadian history. When that 15 million tonnes of thermal coal is burned, it will lead to about 33 megatonnes of carbon dioxide per year, the same as seven million passenger vehicles on the road. For comparison, the largest point source of carbon in Canada right now is a coal plant in Alberta that emits 12.7 megatonnes per year, so this would far surpass it.

Source: Canada Musn’t Allow Vista Coal Mine Expansion Without Environmental Assessment – The Energy Mix

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Steve Post authorJuly 15, 2020 at 12:55 pm

The Minister of Environment and Climate Change has considered the potential for the Project to cause adverse effects within federal jurisdiction, adverse direct or incidental effects, public concern related to these effects, as well as adverse impacts on the Aboriginal and treaty rights of the Indigenous Peoples of Canada. The Minister also considered the analysis of the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada.

The Minister has reached the decision that designation of the Project is unwarranted for the following reasons:

The Minister acknowledges that the Project may result in adverse effects to areas of federal jurisdiction, adverse impacts on the rights of Indigenous peoples of Canada, and adverse direct or incidental effects from the exercise of federal powers and that there are public and Indigenous concerns regarding the effects.
However, adverse effects within federal jurisdiction, and related concerns, are expected to be appropriately managed by comprehensive legislative mechanisms such as the review of any – Application for Authorization under the Fisheries Act by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Migratory Birds Convention Act and the provincial environmental assessment and regulatory processes.
These processes provide mechanisms for consultation with Indigenous peoples, including addressing potential adverse effects and concerns raised by Indigenous peoples and members of the public.

Government source

Reply ↓

Steve Post authorJuly 15, 2020 at 12:55 pm
The Minister of Environment and Climate Change has considered the potential for the Project to cause adverse effects within federal jurisdiction, adverse direct or incidental effects, public concern related to these effects, as well as adverse impacts on the Aboriginal and treaty rights of the Indigenous Peoples of Canada. The Minister also considered the analysis of the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada.

The Minister has reached the decision that designation of the Project is unwarranted for the following reasons:
- The Minister acknowledges that the Project may result in adverse effects to areas of federal jurisdiction, adverse impacts on the rights of Indigenous peoples of Canada, and adverse direct or incidental effects from the exercise of federal powers and that there are public and Indigenous concerns regarding the effects.
- However, adverse effects within federal jurisdiction, and related concerns, are expected to be appropriately managed by comprehensive legislative mechanisms such as the review of any – Application for Authorization under the Fisheries Act by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Migratory Birds Convention Act and the provincial environmental assessment and regulatory processes.
- These processes provide mechanisms for consultation with Indigenous peoples, including addressing potential adverse effects and concerns raised by Indigenous peoples and members of the public.
Government source
Reply ↓

Steve MacLellan

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Canada Musn’t Allow Vista Coal Mine Expansion Without Environmental Assessment – The Energy Mix

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