The lifespan of any mining operation is limited by the amount of material available to be mined out. The
Line Creek coal mine, part of the
Teck Coal operation in the Elk Valley and employer of numerous Crowsnest Pass residents, is seeking to extend its operational lifetime by at least two decades with a planned expansion of its mining area.
Representatives of Teck Coal and its environmental assessment consultant,
Golder Associates, met with council on Thursday, February 4. It was one of a series of meetings held with municipal councils in the Pass, Fernie, Sparwood, and Elkford. The meeting was also attended by local media and some members of the local Community Futures office, Chamber of Commerce, and real estate business.
"We are embarking on a mine expansion for Line Creek," said Cal McDougall, Lands and Housing Coordinator with Teck Coal. "We're early into the process. We're after input."
He explained that Teck Coal has been seeking input both on the mine expansion and on how the expansion might affect neighbouring communities, both socially and economically. Such considerations are part of their environmental assessment. In addition to these meetings, Teck Coal plans to host public open houses in the near future.
Lyle Douglas, Engineering Superintendent at Line Creek, explained the expansion itself, including the company's motivation for doing so.
"Line Creek, as we know it right now," said Douglas, "the reserves are going to be completed by the end of 2014." With the limited coal reserves remaining in the existing mine site, he said, their plant has been operating at 70 percent capacity, producing two and a half million tonnes of coal per year.
The planned expansion would open up new mining areas directly north of the current Line Creek site. Douglas said that the total disturbance area of the expansion site would be approximately 8 km from north to south and 3 km from west to east.
If the expansion area goes through, he said, mining could continue at Line Creek until 2032, 18 years longer than the current projection. This would sustain the current work force of approximately 400 employees through that time, he said, and would add an expected 10 to 15 new jobs.
He added that there are additional coal resources in the area, and that further options could potentially be explored once 2032 arrives.
Under their current plan, said Douglas, Teck Coal plans to have approvals and plans all in place by 2012, and to begin development work in 2013. The expansion area would go into operation in 2014. By 2016, he said, their plant could rise to 100 percent capacity and produce an estimated three and a half million tonnes of coal per year.
Roxanne Scott, a socioeconomist with Golder Associates, said that this is one of the first environmental assessments being done for a mine in the Elk Valley.
