Photo courtesy of Way Out West Fest

Photo courtesy of Grant Levy

Open-pit Coal Mining in Southwest Alberta Defies Logic

This proposed open-pit mining operation by an Australian company will ship polluting coal to other countries across the Pacific and around the world. Yet the economic benefit to Alberta will be minimal.

The devastation of the proposed coal mining projects will be wide-reaching, especially for our irreplaceable water sources. Open pit coal mining is known to leach toxic levels of selenium and other elements into the water thus threatening the quality and safety of drinking water downstream.

The mining operation itself will use a significant proportion of the water in the Oldman River basin, water that is needed downstream for agriculture, towns and cities.

The other impacts of mountaintop removal are just as troubling. From the region's extreme wind conditions carrying airborne contaminants long distances, to loss of irreplaceable fescue grassland, to the destruction of wildlife habitat including that of several species at risk, to loss of recreation opportunities, this open pit coal mining will negatively effect everyone who uses these lands and the water flowing from it.

There are important ways in which you can help. We need to fund a legal battle and influence the Alberta Government through citizen letters.

Threatens Water Quality

The Oldman River which rises in the threatened valley provides high quality water for over 200,000 Albertans as well as many agricultural operations. This watershed supplies some 40 percent of the water used for irrigation in Southern Alberta, and the water is already over-allocated.

If approved, these mines of which the Grassy Mountain mine is just the first, could replace the watershed wilderness with up 40 kilometers of industrial destruction. Open-pit coal mining essentially removes the top off of mountains to access the coal seams underneath. It will be at a scale unprecedented in Alberta. The mining operation will contaminate both groundwater and the river with Selenium, commonly found in these rock and coal formations, plus other impurities and heavy metals. This type of operation results in huge hills of toxic tailings which, based on experience elsewhere including a few kilometers west in BC, will gradually leach the pollutants into streams and groundwater for hundreds of years - long after the mining company has departed. And there is no good method of removing it from the water.

Albertans shouldn't have to worry about the water in their glass. Neither should people downstream in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

The water pollution will further endanger the Westslope Cutthroat trout species which is at risk. Their population has already declined by some 90%.

The mining operation itself will use a great deal of water, water that is needed downstream. This use makes no sense because the water in this basin is already over-allocated for urban and agricultural use.

Read more about the importance of water and the foothills' watershed.

Fails Long-term Economic Analysis

From an economic standpoint these types of mining operations ultimately fail a cost-benefit analysis. History shows that the long-term economic benefit to Alberta of the proposed coal mines will be minimal, and perhaps even negative. The proposed projects will provide some short-term jobs, but with low royalties, low taxes, and the public having to provide infrastructure, The benefit to Alberta government coffers will be small. The real economic winners will be the coal companies.

There is a chance that the cost of restoration of the landscape will fall on the taxpayer. We are already paying for the cleanup and decommissioning of oil wells around the province which were left behind by companies that have disappeared. When the coal mining tailing ponds are left behind to leach selenium and other pollutants into water for tens, and even hundreds, of years, who will bear the cost in both money and environmental health?

Assets that are productive and support productive economic activities are essential to the wealth and well being of society. Real capitalism protects our regenerative resources in oceans, grasslands, farm soils, and forests. It understands the importance and economic value of watersheds. The southwest Alberta foothills grasslands produce both water and beef as a synergy. It is already a highly productive landscape.

Reduces Recreation Opportunities and Value

Thousands of Albertans use this valley for recreation. The mountain PARKS and VALLEYS provide opportunity for Albertans to hike, fish and hunt. The Forestry Trunk Road (Hwy 40) in the valley has provided access for people to experience the fresh air and mountain environment for generations but this area will now become unsuitable for these healthy activities.

Open-pit coal mining produces a great deal of dust which can be a health risk. The dust from the proposed mine would not only make outdoor recreation less healthy in the valley, but can be carried by the prevailing winds into other adjacent recreational areas in the foothills, plus towns downwind of the pits.

A big part of the Alberta advantage is mountain recreation. It helps to attract productive and creative people who migrate to Alberta for its healthy lifestyle and great recreational opoportunities. It encourages these people to stay, work and set up businesses. It is people who will fuel Alberta's future.

Tourism and recreational activities contribute significantly to the Alberta economy. Tourism provides a large and clean cash input into Alberta. A coal mine of this type will potentially give Alberta a poor environmental reputation and discourage tourism.

Limits Valuable Food Production

The world needs food and Alberta has the land and water to grow a lot of it. in 2018, Alberta agri-food exports were $11.6 billion. Value-added exports such as oilseed cake and meal, crude canola oil, milled and prepared cereals, dairy products, beef and processed potatoes contributed some $6.1 billion. Wheat and beef were the top two exports.

With an increasing world population and the rise of the middle class in countries such as India and China especially, there is an increasing demand for high-quality GRAINS and PROTEIN. These are lucrative markets. With our land, climate and clean water, Alberta is well positioned into the future to grow and profit from our agriculture bounty.

Agriculture is a sustainable business. It requires water, sunlight and smart farmers and ranchers. We have all three. The proposed coal mining is, nevertheless, a threat to the water supply. We are risking a long-term wealth provider for short-term considerations.

During the settlement of Alberta the foothills were too high, too cold and too steep for growing grain. But they were ideal for raising cattle. The native grasses originally supported buffalo herds and now provide feed for cattle. It is productive land.

Some ranchers have grazing allotments in the Mount Livingstone Range and rely on that grazing area during summers. Strip-mining the valley will not only jeopardize the current grazing allotments, but permenently reduce or eliminate its ability to support cattle and wildlife into the foreseeable future. The native rough fescue grasses that anchor the foothills grazing ecosystem are an excellent souce of protein for animals to eat, especially in the fall and winter, but they are slow growing and difficult to establish. Once the native fescue grasses are gone there is no good economic method of recreating that type of excellent grazing.

The iconic images of Alberta that makes us proud and attracts people to the province are the wide-open spaces with the foothills and mountains as a backdrop, fields of grain and grazing cattle. It is a clean and healthy environment with clear air, not clouds of coal dust.

Take Action

You can make a difference. Let the Alberta government know that you are in favour of long-term prosperity and that the mountain parks and foothills currently provide both health and wealth. Don't sacrifice them for short-term goals.

This is a difficult decision for the Alberta Goverment during a time of large deficits and a total provincial gross debt approaching $100,000,000,000. There are huge demands on the treasury, especially for health care and education. Nevertheless, you as a citizen need to remind them that a long-term view is critical, especially for our children and grandchildren.

Write your member of the Alberta Legislature (MLA)
Click the button to see an example letter and ministerial addresses. It is also worthwhile to email your MLA with your opinion although a letter, especially handwritten, has more effect. Whatever the method, including a phone call, politicians respond to quantity of contacts. Be a superhero by contacting the Premier and your MLA today.

Help by donating. We accept donations to help stop this very polluting open-pit coal mine in the foothills. Your donation is appreciated and will assist in paying for a lawsuit and other expenses related to raising awareness and taking action against the risks and permanent damage that would be caused by the proposed coal mine.

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