Statement by Siksika Nation on Grassy Mountain Appeal

Siksika Nation – On  the Joint Review Panel (JRP), consisting of the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) and the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC), released the Report of the JRP on the Grassy Mountain Project. The Grassy Mountain Project required a number of provincial approvals to proceed. The AER portion of the JRP Report concluded:

In our capacity as a panel of AER … we deny Benga’s applications under the Coal Conservation Act and related applications under the EPEA [Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act], Water Act, and PLA [Public Lands Act]. Without approval of the provincial applications, the project cannot proceed.

Benga Mining Ltd. has filed an application to appeal the AER decision denying approval of the Grass Mountain Project. Siksika is not participating in the appeal. Further, as the Government of Alberta has not addressed Siksika’s concerns about coal projects in the Crowsnest Pass region, Siksika will continue to oppose any other efforts to pursue coal mines.

NT5