The Grassy Mountain project is not in pristine wilderness, rather it is located on an un-reclaimed open-pit mine and underground mining area that has been laying derelict and disturbed since it was abandoned decades ago by previous owners and will only be restored if the project proceeds.
Land Reclamation
The Grassy Mountain Project is located on legacy mining lands.
It has been classified as an advanced project in the Final Report of the Coal Policy Committee and Government of Alberta Ministerial Order 002/2022.
As the project is located on Treaty 7 lands in Alberta, the Grassy Mountain Project creates a rare opportunity to remediate the site and increase the traditional and non-traditional land use options available to First Nations.
The Grassy Mountain Project will implement a progressive reclamation strategy by carrying out remediation of already mined areas during operations rather than afterwards. This will result in a smaller project footprint during the life of the mine and allow accelerated restoration of wildlife habitat.
Alberta Land Classifications
For Coal Exploration And Development
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Category 1
In which no exploration or commercial development will be permitted. This category includes national parks, wilderness areas, natural areas, restricted development study areas, watershed research study basins, designated recreation areas, designated heritage sites, wildlife sanctuaries, settled urban areas and major lakes and rivers.
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Category 2
In which limited exploration is desirable and may be permitted under strict control but in which commercial development by surface mining will not normally be considered. This category includes lands in the Rocky Mountains and Foothills.
*All restrictions under the 1976 coal categories currently apply, including all restrictions on surface mining in Category 2 lands. All future coal exploration approvals on Category 2 lands will be prohibited pending widespread consultations on a new coal policy.
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Category 3
Areas in the Northern Forested Region and eastern portions of the Eastern Slopes region, and class 1 and class 3 agricultural lands, where exploration is desirable and may be permitted subject to proper assurances respecting protection of the environment and reclamation of disturbed lands and confirmation that the infrastructure is in the public interest.
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Category 4
(Grassy Mountain Project)
All other areas not covered by the previous three categories where exploration is desirable and may be permitted subject to proper assurances respecting protection of the environment and reclamation of disturbed lands and confirmation that the infrastructure is in the public interest.
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