Despite the cancellations of coal leases for 11 proposed mines in Southern Alberta, eight remain on the table.

An Alberta judge will hear arguments from a group of local ranchers and the province starting Tuesday, January 19, in Calgary as they fight over the UCP's decision to allow open pit coal mining on the eastern slopes.

The judicial review launched by ranchers including the Rocking P's, Mac Blades and others say the decision to remove the coal protections first set up in 1976 without public consultation is wrong and the policy needs to be reinstated.

The government revoked the legislation on the Friday before the May Long weekend in 2020.

The Province is expected to argue the request for a judicial review of the decision should be thrown out because policies are political decisions, not legal issues.

The Province says the mines could create hundreds of jobs and raise millions in taxes, while opponents fear the mining will contaminate the water downstream.

 

Send us your news tips, story ideas and comments at news@highriveronline.com