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Calgary Herald

Northback thanks AER for approving Grassy Mountain coal exploration program, critics expected ruling

Article content The Australia-based company that applied for a coal exploration program at Grassy Mountain says Thursday's Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) ruling in its favour allows it to continue to 'bring benefits to Albertans,' but critics were hardly surprised by the provincial body's decision. Article content Article content Thursday the AER approved Northback Holdings' applications for a coal exploration program, deep drilling permit and temporary water diversion licence at Grassy Mountain, located along the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains. Article content Article content The exploration program will allow Northback to better understand the extent of the Grassy Mountain coal deposit, collect raw coal samples and structurally model the coal seam complexities, said the AER in its decision. Article content Article content All activity on public land will occur on previously disturbed land and be accessed using existing roads, resulting in no new disturbance on public land, said the AER. After drilling is done, the sites will be reclaimed to their previously disturbed state. Article content Alberta Energy and Minerals Minister Brian Jean said Friday the province 'respects the AER's carefully considered decision,' which he noted came after two years of lengthy engagement and feedback, legal actions and public hearings, held Dec. 3-4 in Pincher Creek and Jan. 14-16 in Calgary. Article content Article content At those meetings, the AER heard from both those wanting Northback to proceed with a steelmaking coal mine at Grassy Mountain and those concerned about the environmental impacts of a coal mine. Article content The process has taken 'one heck of a long time' to get to the point of approving the coal exploration program, said Blair Painter, mayor of Crowsnest Pass, where in November residents voted 72 per cent in support of the development and operations of a steelmaking coal mine at Grassy Mountain. Article content '(The AER) has 'finally come to their senses in order to drill some test holes,' said Painter, adding he and the community are pleased with its decision.