From left to right, Steve Mallyon, Managing Director, Russell Dann, President of Riversdale North America and Michael O’Keeffe, Executive Chairman of Riversdale Resources met with approximately 60 people during the general reception portion of the Riversdale Resources Open House. The open house allowed the local residents to meet the faces of Riversdale Resources and ask questions regarding the possibility of coal mining in the Pass in the future. The open house took place at the Elks Hall on Wednesday, February 6th.
LINDSAY GOSS
Pass Herald Reporter
Representatives of Riversdale Resources, the coal mining company that has plans to set up camp in Crowsnest Pass, came to Blairmore on Wednesday, February 6th to meet the people of the Crowsnest Pass and briefly outline their plans for the conditional mine. Around 60 people came to the event, which started at 6 p.m. and followed an invitation only wine and cheese reception. From Riversdale Resources, was Michael O’Keeffe, Executive Chairman, Steve Mallyon, Managing Director and Russell Dann, President of Riversdale North America.
Riversdale, a public entity based in Sydney, Australia announced on Monday, January 5th that it has entered into an agreement to acquire a portfolio of coal assets from Devon Energy for $49.5 million US.
The coal properties that are associated with the deal encompass over 35,000 acres near Blairmore and Coleman and include the Grassy Mountain project, which has already been the site of considerable exploration and feasibility work including 364 drill holes and two trial pits.
“What attracted us to the area was obviously the mass of coal but also the area in which the coal sits in,” said Michael O’Keeffe. “This is a very unique and vast area.”
Steve Mallyon explained that he feels his company has a great definition of the future of coal and is excited to work with the Crowsnest Pass.
“Why did we choose Canada? We have a great understanding of the coal here, which is required for steel making and there is a mining history here,” said Mallyon, adding that the quality of the coal in Canada is similar to that in Australia and what they are used to.
In addition to Grassy Mountain, Riversdale has acquired the Bellevue, Adanac and Lynx coal exploration leases which currently contain an additional 160 million tonnes of estimated resources and an extensive package of freehold accumulated by the vendors over the past 30 years, some of which will be key to locate project related infrastructure.
Although the timeline for the project is still relatively unclear, Mallyon said that it would take a minimum of three years to plan and make final arrangements.
“We are excited to come to the community and we want to communicate with the people of Crowsnest Pass,” said Mallyon. “Good communication is very important to us.”
In addition to O’Keeffe, Mallyon and Dann, Council members and Administration were present at the reception to answer questions and provide enlightenment about the project.
