EDITORIAL AND OPINION — Alberta coal mine to preserve 450 jobs — Black gold

High-paying jobs are still hard to come by in Canada, no matter how optimistic economists are that better days are just around the corner. So when a resource project comes along with potential to keep more than 400 people gainfully employed, it should be taken seriously and given a fair shot.

Fortunately, a joint review panel of the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency did just that when it recommended approval of the Cheviot coal mine in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, near Hinton, Alta.

The project is a joint venture of coal producer Luscar of Edmonton, and Consol of Canada. The permit application will now go to the Alberta and Canadian governments for approval.

Construction of the Cheviot mine is expected to begin later this year, with production scheduled to begin in the year 2000, pending receipt of all necessary approvals. This will allow for the orderly transition of sales and employment from the Luscar coal mine, which is nearing depletion, to the new Cheviot mine.

The $250-Million mine proposal was opposed by several preservationist groups, which argued that the mine would have harmful effects on some wildlife, including grizzly bears, fish and birds. As might be expected, these groups are not happy that the project has made it through a critical portion of the regulatory process.

But many residents of Hinton made the case that the mine’s potential economic benefits far outweigh the environmental risks. Moreover, the mine’s owners intend to take steps to mitigate environmental concerns.

The panel made some recommendations that will result in changes to the original mine plan. For example, to allow for a buffer area, it was recommended that two proposed pits at the western end of the project area not be mined. These pits contain about 2.5 million tonnes of coal, or less than half a year’s production.

Also, the owners are being asked to participate in a carnivore compensation program — a national research study designed to enhance the protection of grizzly bears and other large meat-eating mammals. They are also required to monitor wildlife movements and keep local groups informed of their progress.

Officials from Luscar say these conditions will not unduly add to project costs.

The Cheviot mine still has some hurdles to pass before the amended mine proposal is approved and construction can begin. But we share the view that its implications are more positive than negative.

Coal may not be the most glamorous of resource products mined in Canada, yet, from an economic perspective, it is certainly one of the most important.

The new mine will ensure Luscar’s continued participation in the international metallurgical coal market. The construction phase will create 900 jobs, with 450 employed over the long term.

The residents of Hinton are breathing easier now that the Cheviot mine has moved one step closer to production. Hinton is only one of more than 150 communities across Canada where mining makes a significant contribution to the local economy. It is good news indeed when governments recognize the importance of such a contribution.