Public hearing for Grassy Mountain coal mine resumes

A public hearing for the controversial Grassy Mountain coal mining project resumed in Calgary Tuesday.

Northback Holdings provided evidence to the public as to why it believes the Alberta Energy Regulator should approve three applications for a coal exploration program, a deep drill permit and a temporary licence to divert water.

Northback’s chief operating officer, Stacey Brown, says the company has made significant investment at the site, about $1 billion so far.

“We’re confident that the global demand for seaborne metallurgical coal will remain robust for decades,” said Brown.

“These activities will have minimal impact on the surrounding environment.”

An Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) will decide whether the company behind the project, Northback Holdings, can start drilling.

Northback Holdings says it wants to drill 14 holes on 11 separate drill pads that exist on crown land. Another 12 drill pads and 19 drill holes are on private land, owned by the company.

Officials told the hearing the company would not disturb new areas, but rather access the sites through existing trails.

It adds that it will address any environmental concerns, as it understands the concerns of citizens, some Indigenous groups and nearby landowners.

“Northback believes it has been receptive and responsive to and has appropriately considered the concerns and interests of all stakeholders to the applications,” said Brown.

She adds that all equipment entering the site will be inspected and cleaned before entering, to avoid invasive weeds, a concern raised by the Municipal District of Ranchlands #66.

The company was cross-examined by lawyers representing the MD and the Livingstone Landowners Group.

Michael Niven, representing the MD, questioned why the company needs to drill even more holes on Crown land.

He points to 517 exploratory holes drilled on Grassy Mountain since the 1970s, 83 of which were drilled between 2013 and 2016 by Riversdale, a related company of Northback.

“I’m able to remember that Vietnam War protest back in the late 1960s and the Nixon strategy of bombing for peace,” said Niven.

“That’s what this sounds like to me.”

A non-binding referendum in November by Crowsnest Pass residents voted 71 per cent to approve the application, however, it is taking place in the MD.

A spokesperson for Energy and Minerals Minister Brian Jean’s office says it will not respond to the ongoing hearings this week.

“We respect the Alberta Energy Regulator’s independent jurisdiction on making any decisions on applications for projects,” read the statement.

“It would be inappropriate for the government to comment on this process.”

The hearing initially started in early December in Pincher Creek, before breaking for the holidays.

The Oldman River near the project flows directly through the Piikani Nation. Chief and council note they have some concerns about the mine but are in favour of drill testing.

Around 200 protesters gathered outside the AER downtown offices to protest the project.

“People are not for this drilling. The people are not for these mines,” said protester Byrdie Loyer.

“It is our our leaders and our chief that are behind this, and they’re bought out.”

Bethe Andreasen, another protester, says there is a laundry list of reasons as to why the applications should not be approved.

“First, it’s financial. It’s not a benefit to Albertans,” she said.

“It’s an Australian mining company that will be taking the profits out of our country. Second, all kinds of environmental reasons, it’s going to damage our water, and certainly it’s going to tear up a mountain.”

Andreasen adds that the company did not consult all parties impacted by the possible drilling.

“There’s going to be air quality issues with the dust. And the third is for societal reasons, we as Albertans haven’t had a chance to be consulted on this,” said Andreasen.

The hearings will continue Wednesday and Thursday. The Piikani Nation and Stoney Nakoda Nation will provide their evidence on Wednesday.

The AER panel will have 90 days to come back with its decision.

With files from CTV’s Karsen Marczuk