Smith leaves door open to coal mining in Eastern Slopes

Danielle Smith is ignoring the concerns of tens of thousands of Albertans about coal mining in Alberta's treasured Eastern Slopes, charges the Alberta NDP.

On her weekend radio show, Smith was asked about the potential for new mining activity in the Grassy Mountain area after details surfaced that Northback Holdings, formerly Benga Mining, was applying to drill 46 exploratory boreholes.

“An application doesn't necessarily mean it's going to be approved, but the Ministerial Order restricts coal projects but does allow for exceptions,” Smith said.

“And that's always been the case, including active coal mines or advanced projects … So they've already been developed in the past and it's a matter of whether or not the development will continue.”

Last week, Alberta NDP MLAs Jodi Calahoo Stonehouse, Critic for Environment, Parks & Climate Resilience, and Sarah Elmeligi, Critic for Tourism, Sport & Recreation, wrote to UCP Energy Minister demanding the application be rejected.

“Albertans have been clear, they do not support mining our mountains for coal,” said Calahoo Stonehouse. “I don't know who Danielle Smith is listening to but it clearly is the tens of thousands of Albertans we've heard from dating back to 2016 who have said they want a full ban on new coal mines in this area and right across our Eastern Slopes.”

On two separate occasions, Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley has introduced the Eastern Slopes Protection Act in the Legislature, but the UCP has reviewed to endorse it. The bill would put a stop to coal mining in the area.

The UCP did establish a Ministerial Order to restrict activity in the Eastern Slopes but Smith admitted on the radio that move allows for exceptions to be made, such as the one being sought by Northback Holdings.

“We must protect our parks and mountains for future generations,” Calahoo Stonehouse said. “We have seen a large coalition of support for putting a stop to coal mining in the Eastern Slopes, including municipal leaders, landowners, Indigenous people, ranchers and more.

“We are awaiting a response from the UCP government on our letter last week, but they should know that Albertans will accept nothing less than an absolute statement that there will be no new coal mining or related activities in the Eastern Slopes.”

Photos by Tyson Dahlman AG POWER: The Irvine School and its agricultural program as the annual ADC Fall Gather & Production Sale took place Sept. 30. They raised $30,667 for the program through donations, a silent and live auction and sale of livestock. Above left: Nichole Neubauer addresses the crowd; student Chase Rodermond sits at the pumpkin and squash table and a reported over 200 people were on hand.