Public hearing for Grassy Mountain coal mine resumes

January 14, 2025 Canuck

A public hearing for the controversial Grassy Mountain coal mining project will resume in Calgary on Tuesday.

The public hearing is tied to applications for exploration permits and a licence to temporarily divert water.

The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) will decide whether the company behind the project, Northback Holdings, can start drilling.

The hearing started back in early December in Pincher Creek.

Once it finishes in Calgary, the panel will have 90 days to come back with its decision.

So far, dozens of people have spoken during the proceedings.

Those in favour of the mine say it would boost the economy, grow jobs and sustain the pass for years to come, while those against it have voiced concerns about environmental impacts on water quality and wildlife, both near and downstream of Grassy Mountain.

The Oldman River near the project flows directly through the Piikani Nation. Chief and council note they have some concerns about the mine but are in favour of drill testing.

Residents in the Crowsnest Pass also voted 71 per cent in favour of having the mine in a non-binding referendum late last year.

The project has sparked many protests since its inception, including one set to take place outside the AER’s offices at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Another protest over the hearings took place in Lethbridge on the weekend.

More than 150 people met at the Sik-Ooh-Kotoki Friendship Society on Jan. 11, then began to march through the streets to spread their message.

Similar demonstrations were held in Pinc her Creek, Fort Macleod and on the Pikani Nation.

Organizers said passerbys even joined in the rally.

‘I’m overjoyed that people are now starting to see and understand what this coal mining is going to do,” said Nicole Johnston, one of the rally’s organizers. “The information that is going out to the people, I’m glad it is reaching a lot of people.”

CTV News will be covering both the hearing and the protest.

With files from CTV’s Karsen Marczuk

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