Alberta’s energy minister said the government will be expanding restrictions on mining on the province’s Eastern Slopes, based on a committee’s reports..Sonya Savage said at a Friday press conference all coal-related exploration and development will be suspended and “no new activity will be allowed” in the Eastern Slopes..Based on recommendations from the Coal Policy Committee, Savage said the 1976 A Coal Development Policy for Alberta will remain in place. A new ministerial order will impose limits based on the policy’s historic categories until land use planning is complete..“Alberta has a strong regulatory process in place to oversee coal and other industrial development in our province. But we’ve heard concerns of Albertans loud and clear and will work to improve public trust and how projects are reviewed, regulated and reclaimed, and how cumulative effects are managed. And that’s why we’re charting a clear path forward,” said Savage..The UCP was criticized in 2020 after they quietly revoked the 1976 coal policy, which defines what lands could be considered for coal exploration and development. In response, Savage appointed the committee in 2021 to lead public consultations with Albertans and report back to government..The new ministerial order will expand the halt of coal exploration in Category 2 lands to also include exploration and development in Category 3 and 4 lands, as defined by the 1976 coal policy. The restriction on activity on Category 2 lands has been in place since April 2021.. coal-exploration-project-in-alberta .Savage said operational mines and advanced projects will not be impacted.. Alberta will keep historic coal policy, lean on land use planningThis image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is coal-mines-in-AB.jpg .She also said advanced projects will continue through the regulatory process.. Alberta will keep historic coal policy, lean on land use planningThis image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is coal-projects-advanced.jpg .The committee’s report recommended the coal policy be modernized to better align with the Alberta Land Stewardship Act. Specifically, that regional and sub-regional plans replace existing coal categories “for the purposes of land use decisions about where coal exploration and surface or underground development can and cannot occur.”.There are four land use regions in the Eastern Slopes: the Upper Peace Region, the Upper Athabasca Region, the North Saskatchewan Region and the South Saskatchewan Region..Under the 1976 coal policy categories, coal exploration and development was not permitted in Category 1 lands, which includes national and provincial parks, and areas with high environmental sensitivity. Category 2 lands, which includes the Rocky Mountains and Foothills, permitted limited exploration under strict control..Category 3 lands, which includes the northern forested region and eastern portions of the Eastern Slopes Region and some agricultural lands, permitted exploration, as did Category 4 lands which cover the remainder of the province. All categories required applications to the province to explore, for leases to crown coal rights, and for authorization for development.. map .Among the eight recommendations was included a review of Alberta’s coal tenure and royalty regimes to ensure “Albertans capture fair values from coal developments,” as well as addressing concerns related to reclamation liabilities..The report said while coal mining represents less than 1% of the province’s GDP, it represents “substantial economic activity at the local level” and recommended government assist those communities affected by the curtailment of coal activities. Fifteen municipalities provided feedback to the committee..The report acknowledged the developed world is “attempting to wean itself off various forms of coal.” Even so, due to China and India demand, coal still accounts for more than one-third of global electricity generation..The report also said the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) will change federal processes around the approval of major resource projects. The report added reconciliation efforts will likely have “implications for the viability of coal development in the Eastern Slopes.” The report cited court decisions concerning indigenous rights which may impact “the outlook for coal developments in Alberta” about cumulative effects and consultations..“The Eastern Slopes have served as a sacred and traditional place of gathering, ceremony.and harvesting for Indigenous peoples … it will be challenging to ‘square the circle’ with new coal activities that do not include the active participation or tacit approval of indigenous peoples.”.Savage said restrictions will be in place until direction on coal activities are embedded in new or updated land use plans..Amber Gosselin is a Western Standard reporter..agosselin@westernstandardonline.com
