AWA’s Statement of Concern regarding Coalspur Mines’ Vista Phase II Coal Project application

May 26, 2025

Coalspur Mines (Operations) Limited has applied to the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) for multiple applications required to extend their currently active Vista Coal Mine.

Vista is Canada’s largest thermal open-pit surface coal mine, located approximately 10km east of Hinton, AB, outside of Jasper National Park. The proposed westward expansion of more than 600 hectares, if approved, would make the combined Vista mining area the largest thermal coal mine in North America. Requests for a federal impact assessment were unsuccessful, meaning that the decision of whether or not the applications are approved now rests at a provincial level.

The Vista Phase II coal mining project is economically, environmentally, and socially unsound. Based on these reasons, AWA has requested that Coalspur’s applications, along with any associated coal extraction activities, be denied.

Some of the main concerns we have with the proposed expansion project are:

Surface and groundwater flow will be diverted and altered for many years.
Sediment and harmful substances like selenium and arsenic will contaminate water systems and impact aquatic habitat, species, and watershed health.
Both aquatic and land species at risk, including the endangered Athabasca rainbow trout and threatened bull trout, will experience increased mortality, habitat alteration and removal, disturbances, and health impacts.
Reclamation will be costly and likely inadequate to restore previous ecosystem functions.
Canada has committed to phasing out coal-powered electricity generation and banning thermal coal exports by 2030, making the expansion economically irresponsible.

AWA submitted a statement of concern (SOC) outlining these concerns and more to the Alberta Energy Regulator on May 22, 2025. Read AWA’s full statement here.