The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) closed the hearing relating to Coalspur Mines Limited鈥檚 applications for approval of its Vista project, Jan. 13.
Vista is Coalspur鈥檚 proposed coal mine, which would be located on approximately 27 square kilometres of land in the Hinton area.
The last remaining intervener in the process鈥攖he Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation鈥攚ithdrew after reaching an agreement with Coalspur, Jan. 9.
The 51暗网 was unable to reach a representative from Alexis Nakota by press time, however in a statement published by Coalspur, Chief Tony Alexis said 鈥渋n building our relationship with Coalspur, all along we have been mindful of our responsibility to our past, present and future generations. I believe we have honoured these commitments and moved forward with Coalspur in a way that will provide Alexis with the tools and resources to prosper as a sustainable community while maintaining our values and principles as passed down from the teachings of our past and present elders as stewards of our traditional territory.鈥�
Last December, Coalspur reached agreements with the three other parties that had been granted intervener status鈥擡rmineskin Cree Nation, Whitefish (Goodfish) Lake First Nation and the Tourmaline Oil Corporation鈥攍eaving Alexis Nakota as the lone holdout.
After reaching the agreement with Alexis Nakota, Jan. 9, Coalspur requested the AER cancel its scheduled hearing. However, the AER denied the request, moving ahead in order to provide the panel and AER staff the opportunity to question Coalspur, as well as hear a presentation from one participating individual.
The hearing lasted about five hours, and is now formally closed. The AER is expected to reach a decision within 90 days. If the project is approved, Coalspur representatives said the government will prepare the rest of the approvals Coalspur requires. Coalspur would then have permission to operate the mine for 20 years, with reviews and renewals every 10 years.
Trevor Nichols
[email protected]
