Notice of Application
CCA Applications 1928090 and 1928091
EPEA Application 009-00301345
WA Application 006-00311969
Coalspur Mines (Operations) Ltd.
Vista Coal Project
The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) has received Coal Conservation Act (CCA) applications 1928090 and 1928091; Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA) application 009-00301345; and Water Act (WA) application 006-00311969 from Coalspur Mines (Operations) Ltd. (Coalspur) for the approval of an accelerated progression of the center dump overburden disposal area, and the relocation of the explosive magazine, the ammonium nitrate prill and emulsion bin storage area.
Coalspur has also requested authorization for accelerated soil conservation and storage for the center dump disposal area, and the accelerated construction of components of the approved surface water management structures to control runoff from the center dump disposal area.
This notice also sets out the deadline for filing statements of concern on these applications, except the authorization request mentioned above. See the section below on how to file a statement of concern for filing dates.
Description of the Applications
Coalspur has applied under the CCA
- to amend mine permit C 2011-5E to relocate the explosive magazine storage area and the ammonium nitrate prill and emulsion bin storage area, and
- to amend mine licence C 2018-9 to accelerate the progression of the center dump overburden disposal area.
Coalspur has also applied to amend EPEA approval 00301345-00-00 (as amended), and WA approval 00311969-00-00 (as amended) for these changes, including
- The construction, operation and reclamation of the relocated explosive magazine storage area and the ammonium nitrate prill and emulsion bin storage area, including:
- soil conservation and storage of the explosive storage facilities in an area of new disturbance within the mineral surface lease. All reclamation material will be stored within the footprint until final reclamation.
- the construction, operation and reclamation of surface water management controls for the ammonium nitrate prill and emulsion bin storage area, with a sedimentation pond to capture, settle and release surface water runoff from a new location. Chemical treatment is not anticipated.
- the construction of a temporary freshwater diversion channel to divert surface water runoff from undisturbed areas around the centre dump for release to McPherson Creek tributary MCT-3.
- the construction of temporary construction-phase surface water management structures to convey surface water runoff from the centre dump disturbed area to previously designed and approved D3 and D4 sedimentation ponds for treatment and release. No new or additional discharge points on McPherson Creek are proposed, and no changes to water quality are proposed.
The Vista mine currently consists of two parallel open pits, a coal processing plant, and various mine infrastructure located east of the town of Hinton, in Townships 50 and 51, Ranges 22–24, West of the 5th Meridian.
For a copy of the applications, contact
Coalspur Mines (Operations) Ltd.
PO Box 6146
Hinton, AB T7V 1X5
Attention: Brian Gregg
Telephone: 780-817-0912
Fax: 780-865-3316
Email: @email
Or you can submit an information request, as outlined at www1.aer.ca/ProductCatalogue/ordering.html, to
AER Information Distribution Services
Suite 1000, 250 – 5 Street SW
Calgary, Alberta T2P 0R4
Telephone: 1-855-297-8311
(toll free; option 0)
Email: @email
Refer to this notice when requesting information for a faster response.
Requirement to File a Statement of Concern
If you have concerns with these applications, you must file a statement of concern as described below. If you do not file a statement of concern, the AER may approve the applications without further notice.
How to File a Statement of Concern
For your submission to be considered a valid statement of concern, it must be filed before 4:00 p.m. on May 8, 2020. Send one copy of your statement of concern to Coalspur Mines (Operations) Ltd. at the name and address above and one copy to
Regulatory Applications Branch
Alberta Energy Regulator
Suite 1000, 250 – 5 Street SW
Calgary, Alberta T2P 0R4
Fax: 403-297-7336
Email: @email
Contents of a Statement of Concern
For your submission to be considered a valid statement of concern, it must include
a) why you believe that you may be directly and adversely affected by a decision of the AER on the applications;
b) the nature of your objection to the applications;
c) the outcome of the applications that you advocate;
d) the location of your land, residence, or activity in relation to the location of the energy resource activity that is the subject of the applications; and
e) your contact information, including your name, address in Alberta, telephone number, and email address or, if you do not have an email address, your fax number.
The AER also requests that you include the application numbers in your statement of concern.
Confidentiality
Section 49 of the Alberta Energy Regulator Rules of Practice (Rules of Practice) requires that all documents and information filed in a proceeding be placed on the public record. This includes any filed statements of concern. If you file a submission, you must not include any personal information that you do not want to appear on or are not authorized to put on the public record. Section 49(2) of the Rules of Practice states how to apply to the AER for an order to keep information confidential. The Rules of Practice is available on the AER website at www.aer.ca.
Jurisdiction
Submissions relating exclusively to compensation for land use are not dealt with by the AER and should be referred to the Alberta Surface Rights Board.
Under section 21 of the Responsible Energy Development Act, the AER does not have the jurisdiction to assess the adequacy of Crown consultation associated with the rights of aboriginal peoples as recognized and affirmed under the Constitution Act, 1982.
For information on AER procedures, contact the regulatory applications specialist, Irene Chia, by phone at 403-297-7202 or by email to @email.
Issued at Calgary, Alberta, on April 8, 2020.
ALBERTA ENERGY REGULATOR
Charlene Graham, General Counsel