Written by Submission on November 12, No Comments on Grassy Mountain: saviour or dinosaur? Since there has been a serious interest in mining coal in the Rocky Mountains after almost 40 years of silence. Will the hills once again echo with the sound of heavy equipment, 24 hours a day, seven days a week? The proponents of the industry will tout the benefits of the proposed mines: local business growth, increased tax revenue, community initiatives and charitable donations.
All while minimizing environmental impact. From the turn of the 20th century until the mid s, coal was the primary workhorse fuel source in Canada. Around this time, it fell out of favour due to its economic cost and was replaced by natural gas, diesel and other alternatives. Today coal has been phased out due to its environmental cost. However, coal still plays a role in steel manufacturing to this day. This is rapidly changing.
Thirty per cent of the steel made today is manufactured by other means. Technology is rapidly evolving as manufacturers try to create steel while producing zero CO2 emissions.
It is possible that the metal industry will have no need for coal in the foreseeable future. If this happens, the Crowsnest Pass will be left with a dinosaur open-pit coal mine and load out in the middle of our Garden of Eden. It would be one of over 2, abandoned coal mines left in Alberta.
Once again left for the municipality, the province and Canadian taxpayers to clean up. As stated during the AER hearing, Mr. Houston said, is that not what the Mine Security Financial Program is for? According to a Crowsnest municipal councillor, the mine will bring between to jobs to the community.
