At Crowsnest Pass, a huge yes for coal mining

Residents of Crowsnest Pass, a municipality in southwestern Alberta, have voted overwhelmingly in favor of restarting coal mining a few kilometers north of their community.

About 72% of voters answered yes to the question posed to them in a non-binding referendum held Monday: Do you support the development and operations of a metallurgical coal mine at Grassy Mountain?

The project to revive this mine, closed in the 1960s, is led by the company Northbackformerly known as Benga and now affiliated with the Australian giant Hancock Prospecting.

A joint federal-provincial committee rejected an initial mining proposal as not being in the public interest. The report highlighted many environmental concerns for limited economic benefits.

The company has, however, submitted a new request for exploratory drilling in the area and wishes to use the results of these drillings to present a new proposal for an open pit mine.

Happy fans

In recent months and weeks, the issue has visibly divided the five communities that make up the municipality of Crowsnest Pass.

In the windows of businesses and homes, numerous signs appeared, mostly professing support for coal mining.

The organization behind many of these posters is called Citizens supportive of Crowsnest Coal. We’re very happy: 72% is a high number, and it’s good that Crowsnest Pass was able to make its voice heardsaid Carmen Linderman, its president.

She believes that the economic arguments have convinced many residents of the region. They want new jobs, lower taxes, infrastructure. This is why people came out to voteshe explains.

The company Northback is delighted that its efforts at dialogue with communities seem to have paid off. Guided tours of the old mine were held throughout the summer as well as open houses at the company’s Crowsnest Pass office.

We appreciate the local support and trust placed in us in our project. This vote is an affirmation of the desire for well-paying jobs, economic opportunity and confidence that we will comply with regulatory requirementssaid Northback spokesperson Rina Blacklaws.

Worried opponents

Opponents of the project, however, cite the imbalance of power between groups of citizens concerned about environmental consequences and a company affiliated with Gina Rinehartthe richest woman in Australia.

The group communications coordinator Crowsnest HeadwatersDavid Thomas, adds that residents have been carried away by nostalgia for a bygone time.

There are many more old people than young people. There are many retired people who are nostalgic for the great years of coal.he said.

Open in full screen mode

He fears that the results of this vote will be used to give the green light to the project. We will continue the fight, we will join forces with municipalities and irrigation companies to promote the idea that it is not a few hundred people in a small town who should determine the fate of Crowsnest’s waters, Oldman and South Saskatchewan.

The Mayor of High River, Craig Snodgrasshas already written a letter to Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, asking her not to take the referendum result into account as the only voice. There is a deplorable lack of public consultation and the consequences should be communicated beyond Crowsnest Pass and the Municipal District of Ranchlandhe writes.

Opponents are concerned about the pollution and water contamination that the project could bring.

Non-binding result

The result of this referendum has no impact on the regulatory process or the current judicial process. The Alberta Energy Regulatory Agency will hold hearings next week and in January on the exploratory drilling application. The municipal district of ranch land, where the mine is located, and a group of ranchers are contesting in court the fact that Northback is authorized to make this request.

The municipal councilor behind the holding of this vote, Dean Wardhowever, felt that his community had never had the opportunity to make its voice heard on the subject.

Many people, organizations and levels of government have expressed their opinions on whether or not the project should move forward and it is time for the residents of Crowsnest Pass to be considered.he explained when presenting his motion at the beginning of September.