Two Alberta First Nations want courts to allow appeal of decision on coal mine
Posted Jul 22, 2021 11:48 am.
Last Updated Jul 23, 2021 7:42 am.
CALGARY – There was a lot of uproar over open-pit coal mining projects in the Rockies, causing several to be shut down or not granted approval.
But now some First Nations are coming out in support of the practice.
In June, we saw a joint federal-provincial environmental review panel turn down Benga mining’s proposed Grassy Mountain Project, deeming open-pit coal mining, and the project specifically, would create too much pollution in southern Alberta’s water supply.
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The panel said that pollution outweighed any economic benefit the project may have generated.
The Piikani First Nation filed a request with the court, followed by the Stoney Nakoda Nation.
They believe the panel did not properly assess the impacts and believe the economic and cultural impacts of the projects would be extremely beneficial.
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Benga mining also filed an appeal.
Some other first nations, including the Blood Tribe, have been vocal against open-pit coal mining.