The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) recently approved exploratory drilling for a controversial mining project in the Crowsnest Pass, and Wildsight says Alberta should have learned from B.C.’s struggles with mining pollution.
The Grassy Mountain mining project, owned by Northback Holdings, is an open-pit mine proposed to go ahead on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains at the site of a formerly abandoned coal mine.
The project was originally rejected in 2021 due to widespread opposition and potential damage to agriculture, ecosystems and watersheds.
However, the AER reversed that decision on Friday, May 16, 2025.
Simon Wiebe, East Kootenay-based mining policy and impacts researcher for Wildsight, says this was a disappointing decision.
“This was a project that was rejected by Albertans and federal regulators as it was deemed too risky for the environment and Albertans,” said Wiebe.
“With the approval of this somewhat limited, but still significant exploration, we’re seeing the Province of Alberta putting the needs of mining companies before the needs of Albertans and Canadians.”
Northback Holdings has committed to limiting selenium runoff, implementing reclamation strategies and consistent monitoring.
Wiebe feels a new mine puts Alberta’s waterways of suffering the same fate as the Elk and Kooteany watersheds.
“We’re seeing our close neighbours make the exact same mistakes that we made by letting coal mining continue to expand despite huge environmental impacts of selenium pollution and habitat loss,” said Wiebe.
“Some of these areas should have been reclaimed years ago, almost a decade ago with Coal Mountain specifically, and now we’re seeing Alberta go down the same path that we did.”
Northback Holdings says the Grassy Mountain coal mine project would be an economic boon for the Crowsnest Pass and Alberta as a whole
However, Wiebe says a 2023 study of three B.C. mines shows that only 59 per cent of forecasted employment and 34 per cent of forecasted tax revenue actually materialized.
“If we’re going to say finances are the most important thing, we need to make sure we’re getting our money’s worth from these sacrifice zones. We’re sacrificing our environment, air quality and water quality,” said Wiebe.
“If we’re making sacrifices like this, we need to ask ourselves if they’re worth it. I think the clear answer is no.”
On Monday, May 19, protestors organized under Defenders of the Eastern Slopes held a demonstration along Highway 3 through Blairmore, Alberta, to oppose the decision to allow exploratory drilling at Grassy Mountain.
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