This week’s issue has three separate articles on coal mining in Alberta.

One will show the survey results and some of the work being done by the Coal Policy Committee, one will show what work Cabin Ridge is still planning to do this summer after the moratorium on Category 2 Lands was made and one is about a local group raising funds to help them research and understand the possible impacts mining will have on this area.

The topic of mining in the Crowsnest Pass has been a massive topic before I even came to the Pass.

I didn’t really know anything about mining before I started working here and over the last couple years, I’ve had to try and understand all the terms and different types of mining, find out what areas are potentially being mined and who is hoping to mine those areas.

The idea of mining in this community over the last few years has always had two sides to it.

There are a group of people who believe mining will bring life back into the community and there are people who believe mining will only harm the area and community moving forward.

Both sides of the argument have solid reasons why.

On the one side, people believe these mines will bring much needed industry to the community.

On the other, people are genuinely worried about what these mines will do to water quality and are also worried about reclamation afterward.

Both sides have real reasons for the beliefs they have.

That’s why it’s incredibly important for this community to use the tools that will be provided to them to get their voice heard.

Starting this week, the Coal Policy Committee began their engagement process.

The committee is hopeful to provide every person interested, a chance to have his or her voices and ideas heard.

If you don’t want mining in this community, then tell the committee and they will take that information and bring it into the committee’s decision-making process.

If you want mining, do the same thing and that too will be brought into the committee’s decision-making process.

At the end of the day, one side of this argument won’t be entirely pleased or perhaps won’t be pleased at all but I would have more time to hear out people who are aren’t pleased with the final decision who took part in the engagement processes than I would someone who only tried to get their point across on Facebook or perhaps just sat at home frustrated with the possibility of mines coming back to the Crowsnest Pass.

Opportunities like this are why we can enjoy living where we do.

We can have input on the potential projects that come to the Crownsest Pass area.

Let’s use that opportunity to make our voices heard, whether that’s being in favour of mines, or against them.