News Release: Crowsnest Headwaters commends Alberta premier for decisive reversal of Grassy Mountain coal policy

"My understanding is that the AER just approved some test well drilling for Northback at Grassy Mountain to allow them to see if they have the ability to do that underground mining."

News Release

For release Tuesday, May 20 2025

Crowsnest Headwaters applauds Premier’s commitment to deny open-air mining at Grassy Mountain

Courageous reversal of Rocky Mountain coal policy welcomed by all Albertans who care about clean air and water

Crowsnest Headwaters commends Alberta Premier Danielle Smith for decisively reversing her government’s policy of permitting Australian coal speculator Hancock Prospecting to undertake open-pit coal mining at Grassy Mountain.

Her clear commitment, made on her weekend radio show, was the first time the UCP government said Hancock Prospecting (aka Riversdale, Benga, Northback) will not gain approval for the surface mining the Australian company has been proposing.

Smith said the exploratory drilling approved Friday by the Alberta Energy Regulatory is being allowed only to assess whether underground mining is feasible. If not, Grassy Mountain will not be mined.

“When it comes to coal mining, people do not want to see mountaintop removal,” she said. “People do not want to see strip mining.

“They’re concerned that when you do that, it exposes the rock face to when it rains and selenium gets into the water system -- so we’ve put a policy into place.

“You can’t do these things,” she said. “You can’t do open pit mining and you can’t do strip mining -- but if you can find techniques that allow you to do new underground mining, then we’re going to be open to approving those projects.”

“My understanding is that the AER just approved some test well drilling for Northback at Grassy Mountain to allow them to see if they have the ability to do that underground mining. You have to be at a certain depth to make it profitable and I’m just going to watch and see the outcome of that,” she said.

Crowsnest Headwaters communications director David Thomas said his group will hold the premier to her new policy commitment: “As long as there is no piling of mine waste outdoors where it would be exposed to rain and snow, our principal objection will have been addressed. We are eager to learn how Northback will meet the requirement that waste rock not be exposed to the elements.”

We commend the premier for finally standing up to the foreign coal bullies and taking the side of Albertans instead.

The premier’s new coal commitment was reported in detail by CTV News.

For more information:

David Thomas

403.562.8032 (office) 403.360.7397 (mobile)