Latest news with #NorthbackHoldingsCorp.
Global News
16-05-2025
- Business
- Global News
Crowsnest Pass mayor excited about Northback coal exploration approval
The mayor of Crowsnest Pass in southwestern Alberta says the Alberta Energy Regulator's approval of a controversial coal exploration project on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains is long overdue. 'I think they finally woke up. I think they finally came to a conclusion that should have happened much, much, much earlier,' Mayor Blair Painter said Friday. 'It's a first step. I'm going to be thrilled if it gets to the point … that they get the application to start mining.' Australian-owned Northback Holdings Corp.'s project at Grassy Mountain was rejected in 2021, when a panel ruled likely environmental effects on fish and water quality outweighed potential economic benefits. The project, located on an inactive legacy coal mine site in the Municipal District of Ranchland, was later revived. Story continues below advertisement Last year, it was exempted from the Alberta government's decision to ban open-pit coal mines. Northback's application was considered an 'advanced' proposal. A written decision from the regulator on Thursday says it determined approving the project is in the public interest and the project won't have negative effects on water quality or wildlife. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The decision grants Northback permits to drill and divert water to the site. Residents of Crowsnest Pass, which saw its last coal mine close four decades ago, voted in a referendum in November. About 72 per cent supported development of a coal mine at Grassy Mountain. 'The project would be fantastic for our community. They're going to employ 300-plus people. Not all will live in our community, but we're going to get our fair share,' said Painter. Story continues below advertisement 'It will strengthen our schools, our hospital, the business community. There's just so many pluses.' The regulator's decision says the company will only be able to draw water from a nearby end pit lake that it owns and that's not directly connected to other water bodies or rivers. It says it's possible there will be runoff from the lake but there wouldn't be any effect on water quality or quantity downstream. An official with the Environmental Defence advocacy group said the project is in the interest of billionaires and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, not the public. Stephen Legault said the decision demonstrates 'a reckless disregard for the health of southern Alberta's water.' He said renewed mining would lead to irreversible water pollution and water withdrawals from the Crowsnest River system, impacting farmers, ranchers, anglers and downstream communities, including Lethbridge. 'If the premier had the best interests of Albertans in mind, she wouldn't allow a coal mine to be built where southern Albertans get their water from,' Legault said 'Instead, Alberta would invest in the region's long-term economic prosperity, protect the province's headwaters, and stand up to foreign bullies who only want to destroy our headwaters in the name of profit and privilege.'
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'A first step': Crowsnest Pass mayor excited about Northback drilling approval
CALGARY — The mayor of Crowsnest Pass in southwestern Alberta says the Alberta Energy Regulator's approval of a controversial coal exploration project on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains is long overdue. "I think they finally woke up. I think they finally came to a conclusion that should have happened much, much, much earlier," Mayor Blair Painter said Friday. "It's a first step. I'm going to be thrilled if it gets to the point ... that they get the application to start mining." Australian-owned Northback Holdings Corp.'s project at Grassy Mountain was rejected in 2021, when a panel ruled likely environmental effects on fish and water quality outweighed potential economic benefits. The project, located on an inactive legacy coal mine site in the Municipal District of Ranchland, was later revived. Last year, it was exempted from the Alberta government's decision to ban open-pit coal mines. Northback's application was considered an "advanced" proposal. A written decision from the regulator on Thursday says it determined approving the project is in the public interest and the project won't have negative effects on water quality or wildlife. The decision grants Northback permits to drill and divert water to the site. Residents of Crowsnest Pass, which saw its last coal mine close four decades ago, voted in a referendum in November. About 72 per cent supported development of a coal mine at Grassy Mountain. "The project would be fantastic for our community. They're going to employ 300-plus people. Not all will live in our community, but we're going to get our fair share," said Painter. "It will strengthen our schools, our hospital, the business community. There's just so many pluses." The regulator's decision says the company will only be able to draw water from a nearby end pit lake that it owns and that's not directly connected to other water bodies or rivers. It says it's possible there will be runoff from the lake but there wouldn't be any effect on water quality or quantity downstream. An official with the Environmental Defence advocacy group said the project is in the interest of billionaires and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, not the public. Stephen Legault said the decision demonstrates "a reckless disregard for the health of southern Alberta's water." He said renewed mining would lead to irreversible water pollution and water withdrawals from the Crowsnest River system, impacting farmers, ranchers, anglers and downstream communities, including Lethbridge. "If the premier had the best interests of Albertans in mind, she wouldn't allow a coal mine to be built where southern Albertans get their water from," Legault said "Instead, Alberta would invest in the region's long-term economic prosperity, protect the province's headwaters, and stand up to foreign bullies who only want to destroy our headwaters in the name of profit and privilege." This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 16, 2025. Bill Graveland, The Canadian Press Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
National Observer
16-05-2025
- Business
- National Observer
Alberta regulator says yes to Northback coal exploration project in Rocky Mountains
The Alberta Energy Regulator approved on Thursday a controversial coal exploration project on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains. Northback Holdings Corp.'s project at Grassy Mountain was rejected in 2021, when a panel ruled likely environmental effects on fish and water quality outweighed potential economic benefits. The project, located on an inactive legacy coal mine site in the Municipal District of Ranchland, was revived two years later. Last year, it was exempted from the Alberta government's decision to ban open-pit coal mines, because Northback's application was considered an "advanced" proposal. A written decision from the regulator says it determined approving the project is in the public interest and the project won't have negative effects on water quality or wildlife, which many at public hearings argued will happen. The decision grants Northback permits to drill and to divert water to the site, which was also a concern raised by farmers in drought-ridden parts of southern Alberta. The approved deep drilling permit will allow Northback to drill more than 150 metres underground on both public and private land in its search for coal deposits. The company will only be able to draw water from a nearby end pit lake that it owns and that's not directly connected to other water bodies or rivers, the decision says. The decision notes that it's possible there will be some runoff from the lake, but it had been determined the project won't have any effect on water quality or quantity downstream. It also says the potential for the project to generate toxic selenium is unlikely, "because there will be no excavation, no coal-mining operations and no new waste rock piles created." "If the existing waste rock piles are not elevating downstream selenium levels, it is reasonable to conclude that these exploration activities are unlikely to elevate selenium levels," the decision says. The regulator also determined that potential harm to wildlife is unlikely, as no new roads are to be constructed as part of the project. The regulator was satisfied overall with the project's public interest, saying as it would provide employment opportunities to nearby residents, including First Nations communities, while allowing the company to continue investing in the area. "We assessed the social and economic effects of the exploration program and found it to be positive," the decision says, adding that Northback plans to spend at least $2.5 million locally as part of the exploration. "While the magnitude of the economic impacts may appear modest, they are proportional to the program scale and duration." The decision says the company has spent over $1 billion since 2015 trying to advance the project but that it wasn't a consideration for the regulator. The project will also give Albertans additional information on the scale of the coal deposit at Grassy Mountain, says the decision. "The exploration program will contribute to the ongoing evaluation of this coal resource and, based on our assessment, will do so in an orderly, efficient and environmentally responsible manner," it says. Rita Blacklaws, a spokesperson for Northback, said in an email the company thanked the regulator for the decision. "With this outcome, Northback continues our commitment to bring benefits to Albertans while adhering to the highest environmental standards," Blacklaws said. Opposition NDP environment critic Sarah Elmeligi said the decision is wrong. "Albertans have been clear they do not want coal mining on the eastern slopes," she said. "What a horrible day for Alberta." Energy Minister Brian Jean said the government respects the regulator's "carefully considered decision on this application," noting it isn't an application to mine. He said Northback will be responsible for reclamation related to the exploration work. "We reiterate our commitment to protect Alberta's waters and ensure that any development in the eastern slopes is done to the highest environmental standards," Jean said in a statement Thursday. The decision followed days of public hearings in December and January, as well as a non-binding vote last year in the nearby community of Crowsnest Pass. About 72 per cent of voters said they were in favour of the project. The regulator notes that concerns were raised in the hearings that granting exploratory permits would lead to a full-blown coal mine. It says that possibility couldn't be factored into the decision-making process. "Exploration is only one step taken by a resource company in the long and complex series of activities that may or may not lead to the development of a mine," the decision says. "Accepting the need for this exploration program does not constitute approval of a coal mine. "If, in the future, Northback decides to proceed with mine applications at Grassy Mountain, it must follow a rigorous regulatory process that all resource development applications must follow." Conditions attached to the exploratory permits require the company to dispose of drilling waste to the regulator's satisfaction, follow erosion control and weed management plans, and adhere to recommended environmental mitigation measures. The company's permits are valid for five years, with the last three years to be set aside for reclamation work.
Global News
16-05-2025
- Business
- Global News
Alberta regulator approves Northback coal exploration project in Rocky Mountains
The Alberta Energy Regulator approved on Thursday a controversial coal exploration project on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains. Northback Holdings Corp.'s project at Grassy Mountain was rejected in 2021, when a panel ruled likely environmental effects on fish and water quality outweighed potential economic benefits. 2:12 Blood Tribe announces opposition to new coal mines in eastern slopes The project, located on an inactive legacy coal mine site in the Municipal District of Ranchland, was revived two years later. Story continues below advertisement Last year, it was exempted from the Alberta government's decision to ban open-pit coal mines, because Northback's application was considered an 'advanced' proposal. A written decision from the regulator says it determined approving the project is in the public interest and the project won't have negative effects on water quality or wildlife, which many at public hearings argued will happen. The decision grants Northback permits to drill and to divert water to the site, which was also a concern raised by farmers in drought-ridden parts of southern Alberta. The approved deep drilling permit will allow Northback to drill more than 150 metres underground on both public and private land in its search for coal deposits. The company will only be able to draw water from a nearby end pit lake that it owns and that's not directly connected to other water bodies or rivers, the decision says. The decision notes that it's possible there will be some runoff from the lake, but it had been determined the project won't have any effect on water quality or quantity downstream. It also says the potential for the project to generate toxic selenium is unlikely, 'because there will be no excavation, no coal-mining operations and no new waste rock piles created.' Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'If the existing waste rock piles are not elevating downstream selenium levels, it is reasonable to conclude that these exploration activities are unlikely to elevate selenium levels,' the decision says. Story continues below advertisement 2:01 Alberta releases new coal mining policies for the eastern slopes The regulator also determined that potential harm to wildlife is unlikely, as no new roads are to be constructed as part of the project. The regulator was satisfied overall with the project's public interest, saying as it would provide employment opportunities to nearby residents, including First Nations communities, while allowing the company to continue investing in the area. 'We assessed the social and economic effects of the exploration program and found it to be positive,' the decision says, adding that Northback plans to spend at least $2.5 million locally as part of the exploration. 'While the magnitude of the economic impacts may appear modest, they are proportional to the program scale and duration.' The decision says the company has spent over $1 billion since 2015 trying to advance the project but that it wasn't a consideration for the regulator. Story continues below advertisement The project will also give Albertans additional information on the scale of the coal deposit at Grassy Mountain, says the decision. 'The exploration program will contribute to the ongoing evaluation of this coal resource and, based on our assessment, will do so in an orderly, efficient and environmentally responsible manner,' it says. 2:16 Less than 25% of Albertans support coal mining in eastern slopes: poll Rita Blacklaws, a spokesperson for Northback, said in an email the company thanked the regulator for the decision. 'With this outcome, Northback continues our commitment to bring benefits to Albertans while adhering to the highest environmental standards,' Blacklaws said. Opposition NDP environment critic Sarah Elmeligi said the decision is wrong. 'Albertans have been clear they do not want coal mining on the eastern slopes,' she said. 'What a horrible day for Alberta.' Story continues below advertisement Energy Minister Brian Jean said the government respects the regulator's 'carefully considered decision on this application,' noting it isn't an application to mine. He said Northback will be responsible for reclamation related to the exploration work. 'We reiterate our commitment to protect Alberta's waters and ensure that any development in the eastern slopes is done to the highest environmental standards,' Jean said in a statement Thursday. The decision followed days of public hearings in December and January, as well as a non-binding vote last year in the nearby community of Crowsnest Pass. About 72 per cent of voters said they were in favour of the project. The regulator notes that concerns were raised in the hearings that granting exploratory permits would lead to a full-blown coal mine. It says that possibility couldn't be factored into the decision-making process. 'Exploration is only one step taken by a resource company in the long and complex series of activities that may or may not lead to the development of a mine,' the decision says. 'Accepting the need for this exploration program does not constitute approval of a coal mine. 'If, in the future, Northback decides to proceed with mine applications at Grassy Mountain, it must follow a rigorous regulatory process that all resource development applications must follow.' Story continues below advertisement Conditions attached to the exploratory permits require the company to dispose of drilling waste to the regulator's satisfaction, follow erosion control and weed management plans, and adhere to recommended environmental mitigation measures. The company's permits are valid for five years, with the last three years to be set aside for reclamation work. With files from Lisa Johnson in Edmonton and Bill Graveland in Calgary.
Hamilton Spectator
16-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Alberta regulator approves Northback coal exploration project in Rocky Mountains
The Alberta Energy Regulator approved on Thursday a controversial coal exploration project on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains. Northback Holdings Corp.'s project at Grassy Mountain was rejected in 2021, when a panel ruled likely environmental effects on fish and water quality outweighed potential economic benefits. The project, located on an inactive legacy coal mine site in the Municipal District of Ranchland, was revived two years later. Last year, it was exempted from the Alberta government's decision to ban open-pit coal mines, because Northback's application was considered an 'advanced' proposal. A written decision from the regulator says it determined approving the project is in the public interest and the project won't have negative effects on water quality or wildlife, which many at public hearings argued will happen. The decision grants Northback permits to drill and to divert water to the site, which was also a concern raised by farmers in drought-ridden parts of southern Alberta. The approved deep drilling permit will allow Northback to drill more than 150 metres underground on both public and private land in its search for coal deposits. The company will only be able to draw water from a nearby end pit lake that it owns and that's not directly connected to other water bodies or rivers, the decision says. The decision notes that it's possible there will be some runoff from the lake, but it had been determined the project won't have any effect on water quality or quantity downstream. It also says the potential for the project to generate toxic selenium is unlikely, 'because there will be no excavation, no coal-mining operations and no new waste rock piles created.' 'If the existing waste rock piles are not elevating downstream selenium levels, it is reasonable to conclude that these exploration activities are unlikely to elevate selenium levels,' the decision says. The regulator also determined that potential harm to wildlife is unlikely, as no new roads are to be constructed as part of the project. The regulator was satisfied overall with the project's public interest, saying as it would provide employment opportunities to nearby residents, including First Nations communities, while allowing the company to continue investing in the area. 'We assessed the social and economic effects of the exploration program and found it to be positive,' the decision says, adding that Northback plans to spend at least $2.5 million locally as part of the exploration. 'While the magnitude of the economic impacts may appear modest, they are proportional to the program scale and duration.' The decision says the company has spent over $1 billion since 2015 trying to advance the project but that it wasn't a consideration for the regulator. The project will also give Albertans additional information on the scale of the coal deposit at Grassy Mountain, says the decision. 'The exploration program will contribute to the ongoing evaluation of this coal resource and, based on our assessment, will do so in an orderly, efficient and environmentally responsible manner,' it says. Rita Blacklaws, a spokesperson for Northback, said in an email the company thanked the regulator for the decision. 'With this outcome, Northback continues our commitment to bring benefits to Albertans while adhering to the highest environmental standards,' Blacklaws said. Opposition NDP environment critic Sarah Elmeligi said the decision is wrong. 'Albertans have been clear they do not want coal mining on the eastern slopes,' she said. 'What a horrible day for Alberta.' Energy Minister Brian Jean said the government respects the regulator's 'carefully considered decision on this application,' noting it isn't an application to mine. He said Northback will be responsible for reclamation related to the exploration work. 'We reiterate our commitment to protect Alberta's waters and ensure that any development in the eastern slopes is done to the highest environmental standards,' Jean said in a statement Thursday. The decision followed days of public hearings in December and January, as well as a non-binding vote last year in the nearby community of Crowsnest Pass. About 72 per cent of voters said they were in favour of the project. The regulator notes that concerns were raised in the hearings that granting exploratory permits would lead to a full-blown coal mine. It says that possibility couldn't be factored into the decision-making process. 'Exploration is only one step taken by a resource company in the long and complex series of activities that may or may not lead to the development of a mine,' the decision says. 'Accepting the need for this exploration program does not constitute approval of a coal mine. 'If, in the future, Northback decides to proceed with mine applications at Grassy Mountain, it must follow a rigorous regulatory process that all resource development applications must follow.' Conditions attached to the exploratory permits require the company to dispose of drilling waste to the regulator's satisfaction, follow erosion control and weed management plans, and adhere to recommended environmental mitigation measures. The company's permits are valid for five years, with the last three years to be set aside for reclamation work. — With files from Lisa Johnson in Edmonton and Bill Graveland in Calgary This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 15, 2025.
