The most advanced project, the Bingay coal mine, proposed by Centermount Coal, would produce 1 million tonnes of coal per year over 13 years. The project is located in the centre of the Elk Valley, 21 kilometres north of Elkford and has been the subject of significant local opposition, including from the Elkford municipal council. The Bingay proposal has completed the pre-application part of the provincial environmental assessment process, and is in the early stages of a federal environmental review. Four mine extension permits were granted to Teck in 2014.
Growing concerns over selenium pollution have some wondering why the province continued to issue mine expansion permits before the water quality issue was more adequately addressed.
“In addition to the short-term impacts, it is well understood that high concentrations of selenium will have long lasting impacts on water quality, fish, other aquatic species, wildlife and human health in southeast B.C. and northwestern Montana communities,” the letter from Lana Pollock, chair of the commission’s U.S. section, and commissioner Rich Moy, warned.
Two additional projects, the Crown Mountain coal mine, proposed by NWP Coal, a mostly Australian-owned company, and Michel Creek, proposed by North Coal, also mostly Australian-owned, are currently in the pre-environmental assessment phase with B.C.
“Companies should have to prove they can mine in a sustainable manner, and then the province can issue permits,” Sanders-Green said.
“Don’t keep mining with hope and a prayer you can sort it out later.”