Amid a global economic slowdown spurred by the spread of COVID-19, Alberta’s government is paving the way for a resurgence of coal mining in the province, a move some observers say threatens sensitive ecosystems that, until June, had been protected for decades.
This spring, the United Conservative Party government rolled back protections that had restricted exploration and prevented open-pit coal mining across parts of the Rocky Mountains and Foothills since 1976.
As well as providing key habitat for fish and wildlife, Morrison noted the region is also used for recreation and ranching.
“Once a mine is built, that is not an area that the public can access, it’s not an area that’s used for grazing or other uses,” she said.
“These mines are massive, mountaintop removal mines,” she said, noting there are concerns not only about the quantity of water used, but also risks of contamination.
In B.C., there have been long-standing concerns about selenium pollution downstream of Teck Resources’ Elk Valley coal mines.
Brittany Verbeek, AWA Conservation Specialist says in her article ‘Crowsnest Pass Coal Mining: A Déjà Vu to Avoid‘ “The Crowsnest Pass and the Elk Valley share the same geology. Selenium poisoning in Alberta’s southern watersheds may become a serious issue if coal development continues. This is further supported by ongoing concerns in west-central watersheds where coal mining is well established. The risks to our drinking water and our world-renowned trout streams must be recognized.”
In British Columbia where Tech Resources has coal mines close to this area, selenium poisoning has transcended the border and is now an international problem. We may be facing the same issue.
