Future of Grassy Mountain coal mine now in the hands of the Alberta Energy Regulator

A decision on the future of coal mining in the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains is expected within 90 days after a public hearing into the project wrapped up Thursday.

After three days of contentious hearings, punctuated by large and noisy opposition rallies, the fate of Northback Holding’s proposal to explore for coal in the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains now hinges on a decision from the Alberta Energy Regulator.

The Australian-owned company’s proposal has triggered condemnation from a wide cross-section of Albertans concerned about the environmental and health effects on the Old Man River and downstream communities, including ranchers, landowners, some First Nation members and environmentalists.

The first round of hearings into the project– which would be located just north of Blairmore, in the Crowsnest Pass — took place in Pincher Creek in early December 2024.

The second round of hearings, which began on Tuesday, wrapped up on Thursday at the AER offices in Calgary.

Carrying signs with such slogans as “protect our children’s heritage” and shouting things like “water, no coal,” dozens of protesters gathered outside the final day of hearings on the project that has already previously been rejected by both federal and provincial environmental review panels.

“They’ve opened up a denied project, denied for very good reasons, reasons that have not gone away, in fact reasons that have arguably gotten worse, especially in terms of water, and drought issues,” said protester Rebecca Brown.

“The facts speak for themselves,” said protester Laura Laing.  “To us the answer is pretty straight forward.  We have examples of what coal mining would mean in our headwaters and it’s devastating.”

Northback Holdings spokesperson Rina Blacklaws said the company expects the Alberta Energy Regulator “to make a decision based on evidence.”