An Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) review process is underway for Teck Coal’s Line Creek Operations (Phase Two) plans.

“This determination was made by the Environmental Assessment Office with the participation of the working group established by EAO to review this proposed project. As a result of this finding, the application has been formally accepted and the review process has begun,” stated a letter to regional municipal governments from Karen Christie, EAO’s Project Assessment Director.

Regional elected officials are pleased to see the potential mine expansion project moving toward a final review.

“The Line Creek Mine is at the end of its life,” said District of Sparwood Mayor Lois Halko, adding, about 450 jobs will be preserved by expanding the operations.

Regional District of East Kootenay Electoral Area A director Mike Sosnowski, who sat on the environmental review panel, told fellow board directors March 2 that the review process took almost two years to complete “with no rock turned. It is extensive. I was quite satisfied with the process.”

Halko also noted that the mine expansion isn’t just important for the Elk Valley, but for the rest of the region, too, with Cranbrook alone providing 500 employees for Teck Coal.

The proposed project would mean the expansion of the existing Line Creek Mine, which is located about 22 km northeast of Sparwood/13 km southeast of Elkford. Plans are to develop two new mining areas: Burnt Ridge North and Mount Michael.

“The proposed project would have a mining footprint of approximately 1,140 ha, an operational buffer of approximately 700 ha, and would extend the overall mine life by approximately 18 years,” outlined Christie in her letter.

Provincial legislation dictates that the project review and the preparation of an assessment report for provincial ministers to approve, be completed in 180 days.

“During this period, there will be at least one public comment period with a duration of not less than 30 days,” Christie explained, adding the assessment report is to be submitted to cabinet by August 13. Cabinet would then have 45 days to make a decision on the application – to issue a certificate, to refuse it or to require additional assessment work be done.

For more on the Line Creek operations go to: www.eao.gov.bc.ca or https://www.infomine.com/minesite/LineCreek.html .

Ian Cobb/e-KNOW

Article Share