Questions raised over water licences for coal mining exploration, company says information 'factually incorrect'
The Alberta government is being asked to explain why Benga Mining is possibly moving ahead with exploratory work on a Crowsnest Pass coal project, even though its application was rejected by a joint provincial-federal review panel.
New documents show Benga Mining — operating as Riversdale Resources — has been granted licences to divert water for drilling and dust suppression for exploratory boreholes for the Grassy Mountain project, seven kilometers north of Blairmore.
The approval was granted June 30, less than two weeks after the Joint Review Panel ruled the project was not in the public interest and denied the company's application to move ahead.
NDP Environment and Parks Critic Marlin Schmidt called on the UCP government to provide an explanation.
“Why is Benga still applying for these licences, and why is the energy regulator giving them out when they’ve already ruled the project isn’t in the public interest?" he said.
According to the documents, which have been circulating online, the water would be taken from a lake, to use for drilling fluid and dust suppression for the boreholes.
“If the project is dead, I think it would be in the public interest for the energy regulator to say, 'stop this exploration program and start cleaning up the impacts of the exploration projects already completed,'" said Schmidt.
On June 17, the JRP conducted the “significant adverse environment effects” outweighed the low to moderate positive economic impacts of the proposed Grassy Mountain project.
At the time, Energy Minister Sonya Savage and Environment and Parks Minister Jason Nixon issued a statement, saying the government respected the Joint Review Panel’s recommendation.
On Monday, a spokesperson for Nixon said, “the ministers’ statement on Grassy stands.”
In an email response to the NDP, Riversdale Resources chief executive officer John Wallington said the information in their news release was “factually incorrect.”
According to Wallington’s email, “Riversdale halted the activities referenced in your news release immediately following the JRP decision.”
The company has requested the news release and associated social media statements be removed and corrected.
CTV has reached out to Riversdale Resources seeking clarification and information about the water licences, but has not yet received a response.
We have also awaiting a statement from the Alberta Energy Regulator, the agency that issued the licences.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.