Adventure tourism under threat and environmentalists up in arms after government lifts coal mining ban in Canada's Eastern Rockies

A ban on coal mining in the eastern slopes of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, which has been in place for nearly 50 years has been lifted by the Alberta government.

The Eastern Rockies are popular with hikers, climbers, skiers, kayakers and more, and home to a wide variety of wildlife.

Now they are under threat after Alberta Energy Minister Brian Jean reversed government orders preventing mining in the area that have been in place since 1976. Opponents say there was no public consultation, although lawmakers signalled their intention to overturn the ban last year.

The announcement means that mining operations that were started in 2020, then paused again because of public outcry, can now resume. New coal mine exploration can begin and new applications for coal projects can be submitted.

In a statement, conservation charity, the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, said: "This is a profoundly short-sighted and irresponsible decision by the Minister of Energy and Minerals that puts the health, future and prosperity of Alberta, and our communities, at grave risk.

"We will be fiercely opposing this new direction — and we know we won't be alone. Albertans have fought this fight before and won."

CPAW video slams coal mining in the Rockies

Unearthing the Impacts of Coal Exploration - YouTube

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The organization has long been campaigning for the protection of the mountains and foothills from coal mining, citing them as home to world-class hiking, fishing, and camping and home to grizzly bears, native trout, and sensitive alpine species.

A statement on its website reads: "The Bighorn Backcountry hosts some of the most beautiful and scenic views you have ever seen. Coal mining would directly conflict with recent efforts to position itself as a premier tourism destination."

Opponents say coal mining not only scars the landscape, alters the shape of mountains and removes access from wild areas, but it can contaminate water courses and poisonous coal dust can suffocate forests and cause risk to tourists in the area.

Concerns about coal mining were exacerbated in 2020, when the then government announced it would remove rules that had protected the eastern slopes of the Rockies from open-pit coal mining since 1976.

It began issuing permits to major corporations. However, following a public outcry, the mining companies were forced to stop operations.

The mining firms are now taking the Alberta government to court, seeking more than $15 billion in revenues they say they have lost because of the government’s back-and-forth over mining policies.

Protesters argue that this is the main reason the government is lifting the ban, accusing it of putting profits over people.

Alberta Wilderness Association is another organization fightin the change.

A statement on its website talks about the wider impact of mining, even if it's not done on Category 1 land, which includes national parks and wilderness areas.

"Mining completely eradicates the existing vegetation, alters soil composition, and displaces fauna which can result in permanently scarred landscapes. Large sites cleared for open-pit mines and the associated infrastructure can change the entire topography of the area", it says.

"Wetlands, aquifers, and surface waters are also negatively affected by coal mining and coal-fired power plants. Wetlands are destroyed in site areas, significant amounts of freshwater are used for commercial cooling and tailings leach out harmful pollutants into watersheds."

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