Alberta’s abundant metallurgical coal resources are recognised as critical for global steel production. Credit: Inna Limanskaya/Shutterstock.

Canada’s Alberta Government is poised to introduce stringent regulations on coal mining, including a ban on mountaintop removal and significant hikes in coal royalties.

This move aims to secure environmental safeguards and ensure that the province’s water resources are shielded from mining pollutants such as selenium.

The new regulations, guided by the Coal Industry Miners Initiative (CIMI), are designed to align with the intentions of the 1976 Coal Development Policy and the findings of the 2021 Coal Policy Committee.

The CIMI’s goal is to establish a long-term legislative and regulatory framework that prioritises environmental protections while allowing for responsible coal development.

Alberta’s abundant metallurgical coal resources are recognised as critical for global steel production, an essential material for infrastructure and technological advancements.

The province’s government is committed to leveraging this resource to spur investment and job creation while respecting the rights of freehold mineral rights holders.

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The government will raise coal royalty rates for new mines to ensure fair compensation for Albertans.

Alberta Energy and Minerals is set to commence targeted engagement with industry stakeholders in early 2025. This dialogue will focus on informing the industry about the province’s heightened coal mining standards, setting new coal royalty rates, and developing strategies that balance regulatory improvements with environmental protection.

The forthcoming regulations will embody the province’s commitment to water protection as a top priority.

They will encompass the prohibition of mountaintop removal mining, a ban on new open-pit mines in the Eastern Slopes, and the requirement for new mining proposals to employ best water practices and technologies that prevent selenium contamination.

Additionally, the regulations will uphold the protections for parks and protected areas as established by the 1976 Coal Development Policy.