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
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
How to avoid the trap of becoming 'house poor'
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
Toxic forever chemicals in drinking water: Is Canada doing enough?
As the United States sets its first national limits on toxic forever chemicals in drinking water, researchers say Canada is lagging when it comes to regulations.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Some customers steaming after McDonald's ends free hot drink sticker program
It took years for Vinnie Deluca to collect more than 400 cards worth of free McDonald's McCafe coffee, a collection that now has "zero value" after the company discontinued the program.
Biden scores endorsements from Kennedy family, looking to shore up support against Trump and RFK Jr.
U.S. President Joe Biden will accept endorsements from at least 15 members of the Kennedy political family during a campaign stop in Philadelphia on Thursday as he aims to undermine Donald Trump and marginalize the candidacy of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Where did the gold go? Crime expert weighs in on unfolding Pearson airport heist investigation
Almost 7,000 bars of pure gold were stolen from Pearson International Airport exactly one year ago during an elaborate heist, but so far only a tiny fraction of that stolen loot has been found.
When new leaders took over in ancient Maya, they didn't just bury the former royals. They burned their bodies in public
New archeological investigations in Guatemala reveal that the ancient Maya people had a ritual of burning royal human remains as a public display of political regime change.
Party's over: Coyotes play final game as Arizona franchise before move to Salt Lake City
Mullett Arena buzzed like few times in the two years since the Arizona Coyotes moved in, the fans amped for one last desert hurrah.