Firm facing probe plans new mine

Alberta’s energy regulator is about to consider a plan for a large mountaintop coal mine at the same time it investigates the proponent for possibly fouling a crucial spawning stream for endangered trout.

Benga Mining has begun the regulatory process for a mine that would see 12 square kilometres on the top of Grassy Mountain in southwestern Alberta near Blairmore turned into a terraced coal mine.

The company — a wholly owned subsidiary of Australia- based Riversdale Resources — has not yet filed an environmental impact assessment for the proposal. It is being investigated for possible environmental infractions at another nearby project.

“We are investigating the possible release of coal into Gold Creek,” said Tracie Moore of the Alberta Energy Regulator.

The investigation began in July after a resident complained about a large pile of refuse from an earlier mine on Benga’s site collapsing into the creek after a heavy rainfall.

In a letter to the Alberta Wilderness Association, Benga head Steve Mallyon suggested the company’s activities may have contributed to an earlier, similar release.

“The excess fluid occurred as a result of this drill site intersecting an unusual amount of groundwater that was higher than anticipated,” he wrote about a release in November 2014.

Local investigators claim the release reached 12 kilometres downstream and entered the Crowsnest River.

The river and Gold Creek are considered crucial habitat for native cutthroat trout, which federal scientists are recommending should receive Canada’s highest level of habitat protection.

“Gold Creek is one of the few tributaries of the Crowsnest River that still contain pure- strain West Slope cutthroat trout,” said fisheries biologist Lorne Fitch. “If we ever get to the point where we are engaged in recovery efforts, these small remnants are going to be instrumental.”