Charges laid regarding October 2013 Obed Mountain Coal Mine spill

Calgary, Alberta (Oct 16, 2015)…

Charges have been laid against Coal Valley Resources Inc. (CVRI) and Sherritt International Corporation operating as Sherritt Coal relating to a spill from a wastewater containment pond that occurred in October 2013.

Six charges have been laid following the spill from a wastewater containment pond at the Obed Mountain Coal Mine on October 13, 2013 approximately 30 km east of Hinton. At the time of the spill, CVRI, a subsidiary of Sherritt International Corporation, operated the mine. The charges are for contraventions of the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA), the Public Lands Act (PLA), and the Water Act. The leak contaminated two tributaries of the Athabasca River. First appearance is scheduled for January 20, 2016, in Hinton Provincial Court.

The investigation was transferred to the Alberta Energy Regulator from Alberta Environment and Parks (formerly Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development) when the AER assumed responsibilities under the EPEA and the Water Act on March 29, 2014.

The Alberta Energy Regulator ensures the safe, efficient, orderly, and environmentally responsible development of hydrocarbon resources over their entire life cycle. This includes allocating and conserving water resources, managing public lands, and protecting the environment while providing economic benefits for all Albertans.

Backgrounder: Obed Mountain Coal Mine spill and AER investigation process explained
FOR BROADCAST USE

Six charges under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA), the Public Lands Act (PLA), and the Water Act have been laid against Coal Valley Resources Inc. and Sherritt International Corporation operating as Sherritt Coal following a spill from a wastewater containment pond at the Obed Mountain Coal Mine on October 13, 2013. At the time of the spill, Coal Valley Resources was operating as a subsidiary of Sherritt International Corporation.

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For more information, please contact:
Ryan Bartlett, AER Public Affairs
Phone: 403-297-3268
E-mail: ryan.bartlett@aer.ca
Media line: 1-855-474-6356

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