Tag Archives: mining
‘Didn’t get this one right:’ Alberta reinstates coal-mines policy after public outcry
EDMONTON — Public protest has persuaded the Alberta government to U-turn on a major section of its economic road map and reinstate a policy that has kept open-pit coal mines out of the Rocky Mountains for almost 45 years."We admit
Alberta to restore some coal-mining policy protections: government spokesman
EDMONTON — The Alberta government says it plans to restore some aspects of a policy it revoked last spring that protected a wide swath of the province's foothills and mountains from coal mines. The move has provoked intense public protest. There are
‘Dead letter:’ Alberta premier defends coal policy change in Rocky Mountains
EDMONTON — Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says Albertans have no cause to worry over his government quietly throwing out a coal policy that protected the Rocky Mountains for more than four decades."No regulator, no government is going to allow a
More Alberta towns ask for coal consultations, pause on exploration
Opposition to Alberta's attempt to expand coal mining in the Rocky Mountains is growing with two more towns expressing concerns and a legislature member with the governing United Conservatives backing them up. The town council of Turner Valley in sout...
Alberta town asks province for stop-work order on coal exploration in mountains
HIGH RIVER, Alta. — An Alberta town in the Rocky Mountain foothills wants the provincial government to order a stop to increasingly controversial coal exploration in the region. "Coal exploration is causing irreparable damage to the landscapes and wate...
Element of contradictions: Selenium cuts thin line between healthy and toxic
EDMONTON — Sort of silvery in its raw state, sort of metallic but not really, selenium embodies contradiction. It's fairly rare — the 68th most common element — but often found with coal. Tiny amounts are essential to health — selenium helps
Alberta promises close watch on new mines but cuts oversight of coal-polluted rivers
EDMONTON — Alberta government documents show repeated cuts to environmental monitoring despite contaminants in some waterways that exceed thresholds that are supposed to trigger increased scrutiny. The province's 2019 five-year monitoring plan shows st...
‘Serious concern’ among Nunavut communities over iron ore mine’s proposed expansion
IQALUIT, Nunavut — Nunavut communities on the northern tip of Baffin Island are speaking out against the proposed expansion of an open-pit iron ore mine that would include construction of a railroad, lead to more ship traffic and, hunters fear,
More southern Alberta communities voice concern over province’s plans to expand coal
Concern over the Alberta government's decision to drop a coal policy that has protected the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains for decades is growing among area communities. "We are definitely not in favour of it," said Kathie Wight, mayor of
‘Stories the numbers tell’: Critics ask why Alberta sat on coal contamination data
EDMONTON — Critics are asking why Alberta Environment has been sitting on years worth of data about pollution from coal mines while the government considers a dramatic expansion of the industry. "It raises some important questions about our ability to ...