Coal
Coal Mining in Alberta's Eastern Slopes and Beyond
Take Action on Coal | Information & Resources | Updates & News
Updated March 15, 2022
Latest Update: Government announces expanded coal restrictions, releases Coal Policy Committee reports
On March 4, 2022, the Government of Alberta announced restrictions on coal development in the Eastern Slopes of the Rockies. The restrictions on new development will be in place until directions on coal activities are incorporated into updated regional land-use plans.
The Goverment also released the final reports of the Coal Policy Committee. Concerns with the environmental impacts of coal mining ranked among the most important issues to Albertans.
- News Release Getting it right on coal in Alberta (Government of Alberta)
- Reports Final report : recommendations for the management of coal resources in Alberta (Coal Policy Committee)
- Reports Engaging Albertans about coal (Coal Policy Committee)
Environmental groups welcomed the restrictions on new development, but concerns remained over the impacts of existing coal mining activities and the 4 advanced projects that were allowed to continue the regulatory process.
- Coal Exploration and Mining on the Eastern Slopes – Is there an end in sight? (Alberta Wilderness Association)
- Government of Alberta’s new plan provides temporary relief from the risk of coal (CPAWS Northern & Southern Alberta)
- What has (and hasn’t) changed for coal mining in Alberta (The Narwhal)
- Alberta keeps decades-old coal policy in place, 4 advanced projects to continue regulatory process (CBC News)
- Alberta to extend pause on Rocky Mountain coal mines (Global News/The Canadian Press)
Alberta Beyond Coal: What to Expect in 2022
Despite the reinstatement of Alberta’s 1976 Coal Policy in 2021, eight coal mining projects continued to move ahead with exploration. Coal development was not only still an option in Alberta, it was still happening.
Protect our Water - Alberta Beyond Coal was started to fight well-resourced coal companies and their billionaire owners. Through education, outreach and a strategic lawn sign campaign, the Alberta Environmental Network organized a collaborative effort to pause coal development in Alberta. Read More
Indigenous, landowners, environmental groups on both sides of the provincial border pleased to see Minister Wilkinson designate Tent Mountain for a federal impact assessment.
CALGARY/TERRITORIES OF THE BLACKFOOT AND PEOPLES OF TREATIES 6 AND 7, HOME TO MÉTIS NATION OF ALBERTA, REGION III Read More
Grassy Mountain Coal Project Decision May Sound the Death Knell for Montem and Atrum Coal
Yesterday’s Grassy Mountain Coal Project Joint Review Panel categorical rejection of Benga Mining’s applications for the Grassy Mountain mine may very well sound the death knell for Montem Resources and Atrum Coal. Today, both companies requested that trading in their shares on the Australian Securities Exchange be stopped.
Before Montem’s request was accepted its stock lost 20 percent of its value. Its last trade was at 7 cents a share; Atrum’s last trade was at 4.7 cents a share. Read More
Digital Rally: Say No to Coal
Across the country, a movement is growing to protect the Rockies and its headwaters from open-pit coal mining. Eight new coal mining projects have been proposed on the Eastern Slopes – and we need to stop them before they start.
The grassroots opposition to this new coal rush in Alberta is working – on June 17, the proposed Grassy Mountain coal project was rejected thanks to pressure from the hard work of people in Alberta and across the country. However, the work to protect the Rockies is not over – there are still 7 coal projects able to move ahead. Read More