COMMENTARY – Wildlife thrives at coal mines

Western Canadian coal producers work hard to ensure that fish and wildlife populations continue to prosper alongside mining operations. As a result, many species of birds, fish and wildlife easily co-exist — and even thrive — near active mines.

Operators at the Line Creek mine, near Sparwood, B.C., are developing a coal conveyor system as a replacement for conventional truck haulage. One of the advantages of the conveyor system is that it reduces the risk of collisions between trucks and animals. The system also consumes less energy than truck haulage.

The new system is being set up in such a way that it parallels Line Creek itself, which flows down the middle of a valley. Abundant wildlife in the area — including big game such as elk, deer, bighorn sheep and goats, as well as predators such as bears and cougars — are known to move through the valley along established travel corridors.

“We’ve done wildlife studies to ensure this new conveyor system won’t disrupt the travel routes of any of the wildlife,” explains James Lant, environmental superintendent for Line Creek Resources. “Where we felt there would be an impact, we’ve put in appropriate wildlife crossings so the animals can pass this new line without any problem.”

The company also dedicates considerable care and attention to fish, several species of which (including bull trout, which are especially sensitive to disturbance) dwell in the creek. Early on, the company began to plan mine development activities in such a way that fish and their habitat would be protected.

Using fish fences, the coal company trapped whole schools of fish and counted them. Their movement and spawning patterns were also recorded so as to develop an extensive database which mine officials use to assess potential environmental impacts. The British Columbian government uses a similar database to develop fish harvesting and management plans.

As a result, bull trout populations are actually increasing at Line Creek, and the company’s efforts have been supported by the government’s fish management program, which imposes strict catch limits on fishermen.

Demonstrating a similar sensitivity to wildlife is Obed Mountain Coal Company, which has modified a 13-km conveyer system and access road at its mine in west-central Alberta. Through the use of infra-red sensors, the company has succeeded in monitoring large game crossings to ensure that animal populations are not suffering as a result of mining operations.

Wildlife are also adapting well to operations at Smoky River Coal’s surface and underground mine at Grande Cache, Alta. Vernon Betts, superintendent of environmental and regulatory planning, says active mining properties actually provide sanctuary to animals since the land is usually off limits to the public, including hunters.

The abundance of lush green foliage on newly reclaimed slopes has augmented the habitat for hoofed animals at the mine site — particularly bighorn sheep, whose numbers have risen to more than 200 from only 40 in the mid-1970s. Populations of deer, elk and moose in the area have also grown substantially. Naturally, so too has the number of predators, including wolves, cougars and black and grizzly bears.

Operators at Smoky Mountain are diligent about conducting wildlife enhancement projects. “We have installed nesting boxes for mountain bluebirds and kestrels; this was done in order to replace some nests that our feathered friends had built in old equipment piles which we removed one winter,” says Betts.

Environmental conscientiousness is also stressed at the coal operations of Luscar in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Through the ongoing study of fish and wildlife habitat requirements, operators there have undertaken some highly successful reclamation programs.

— From a recent issue of “Coal Forum,” published by the Coal Association of Canada.