Representatives of Riversdale Resources were at the Crowsnest Pass Sports Complex to discuss it’s new project in the region, October 15th.
The Grassy Mountain coal Project will consist of three different properties in the Crowsnest Pass area including; The Grassy Mountain Property (Northern Crowsnest Pass), The Bellevue property (Northeastern Crowsnest Pass) and the Adanac property (Southeast Crowsnest Pass).
“Over the next 12 months, Riversdale will commence a 4-season Environmental Impact Study,” said Steve Mallyon, managing director for Riversdale Resources.
The Impact Study and exploration will begin in late November to early December 2013, according Mallyon.
The Grassy Mountain project is based on an open-cut mine design, targeting 2.3 million tonnes of hard-coking coal per year, said Mallyon.
“We’d love to get a project that last 40 years,” he said.
However, projected estimates for the company have the mine set to operate for 28 years according to an information pamphlet distributed by Riversdale Resources at the meeting.
Mallyon engaged the audience in discussion from a range of subjects from transportation of the finished product to the wildlife and environment.
One of the audience members asked if the mining project would increase traffic pressure and noise-volume along and around Highway 3. Mallyon suggested an overpass/conveyor-belt/railway system to transport the product from the work site. “The Grassy Mountain Project is a totally contained site- we use recycled water (previously used by the mining operation),” said Mallyon adding this means they will be using a filter system. A contained site means there will be less chance of contaminating a local regions’ water supply. “We’ve utilized this technology before in sites where water is scarce,” he said, indicating the Riversdale project in Mozambique, Africa. “I can only give you an example of what we’ve done before,” said Mallyon. “We’ve worked in areas where there were hunters before.” Mallyon suggested wildlife corridors so wildlife and plant life can regenerate, like they did with their Mozambique project. The representatives also said there was a new office located at 12331 20th Ave, Blairmore, for more information please contact the office at (403) 753-5160. A local Riversdale mine website will be up and running soon according to the representatives.