Riversdale Resources issues clarification statement
By Letter to the Editor on May 8, 2021.
Benga Mining Ltd., which operates in Canada as Riversdale Resources, respects the right of all Albertans to express their opinion, and recognizes that the Opinion pages of The Lethbridge Herald are meant to provide a forum for different points of view on various topics, and to spark and contribute to debate around key issues that affect readers across Southern Alberta. For that reason, we want to ensure that readers have the facts necessary to inform their opinions.Â
In a May 6 Letter to the Editor entitled “Eastern Slopes mining opponents need to be heard by the provincial government,” the writer made some errors which require clarification.
Riversdale did not provide input to the Alberta government on its coal policy in 2020, did not ask for any changes to the provincial coal policy and was never consulted on the Alberta coal policy. The fact is, the Grassy Mountain Project never fell within the scope of the Province’s announcement to halt mining on Category 2 lands. Grassy Mountain holds a Category 4 land use classification; nearly 25% of the Project sits on previously mined (legacy) land, which was mined over 60 years ago and never properly restored.Â
Further, in regards to the Alberta Royalty system, the Province takes a two-tiered approach. The 1% royalty highlighted in the opinion piece is the first tier and applies to gross revenues. The second tier kicks in after there is a payout of initial capital investments. When that occurs, after just a few years, Riversdale will commence paying Tier 1 royalty plus Tier 2, which is an additional 13% on net revenue.Â
We have tremendous respect for Canada’s regulatory process, which is among the most stringent in the world. Riversdale Resources submitted its proposal for the Grassy Mountain Project to regulators in August 2016 and is currently moving through a joint federal/ provincial environmental assessment review. The Grassy Mountain application has undergone extensive review by the appointed Joint Review Panel, federal and provincial regulators, stakeholders and Indigenous communities.
At the end of 2020, the Joint Review Panel held a public hearing lasting six weeks, with final written arguments completed in January 2021. The Joint Review Panel’s final report is expected in June 2021, followed by a federal decision several months later.
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It needs to be understood, we, the majority of Albertans, do not want, any, open-pit coal mining in Alberta, at all. So splitting hairs on royalties, regulations,etc. are moot points.
right on. we don’t and don’t need coal mines and water is worth $2.00 a litre as drinking water and $4,00 alitre for industrial purposes becuase it can never be used again.
It sure is a good thing that you speak for the majority of Albertans. Phew, what would all of Alberta do without you?
so.ab speaks for me on this, and so does phlush, and so does les…. nt sure what you see positive about the coal projects. you took time to be negative with sarcasm, but failed to present anything rational…irrational thinker…hmm, seems an oxymoron.
Bang! I agree 100% with Southern Albertan and phlushie’s comments. Southern Albertan’s DO NOT want COAL MINING to take place on the Eastern Slopes of the Rockies period ….ever!. It is irrelevant that mining once took place eons ago . We are talking about TODAY and the irreversible damage you will do TOMMOROW with your mining. What don\t you get??? Why is it so hard for you and the UCP government to understand, there was no prior consultation with the people done in advance, and deals were signed in secret in back rooms. That is simply not acceptable and is intolerable. Go and cause your damage somewhere else!
And. I one made in 2016 under NDP government, only when they were defeated did this become an issue. Pile of hypocrites
And no one
Can’t speak to stringency of Canada’s regulators, However; professional biologists, hydrologists, geologists and environmental specialists, and scientists could do so. Regarding “regulators” in general. It appears Alberta’s Securities Commission ( the regulator for Banking / Financial companies and transactions) “may, in appropriate circumstances, grant discretionary exemptions from specific requirements of Alberta securities laws. See MI 11-102, NP 11-203 and ASC Policy 12-601.
The following includes decisions issued pursuant to MI 11-102 for issuers for whom the ASC is the Principal Regulator only. Exemption Orders issued under MI 11-102 for other issuers can be found on the CanLII website.” According to the ASC website it appears it has issued 6,728 exemptions to security law/regulations.
According to the Alberta Energy Regulator website Data last updated 5/7/2021, 12:44:56 PM Mountain Time it appears there were 1,960 entries requiring defined as “incidents” “The incidents posted here meet the following criteria:
of those 177 entries required “investigation”
“When it appears that a company has not followed AER requirements, the regulator takes steps to stop the noncompliant activity, restore the environment, and, if necessary, apply enforcement action against the responsible party. The AER completes investigations to determine all of the facts necessary to render an enforcement decision and works hard to ensure that this process is timely, fair, and transparent.” ” The information we can provide about an ongoing investigation is limited to protect the legal process and our ability to pursue all enforcement options
“Investigations will be posted when the AER has a reasonable belief that an offence has occurred, a responsible party has been identified, and a notice of investigation has been sent to that party.”
“A responsible party will not be liable if the investigation determines that they did everything they could have to follow the rules. Some investigations may be closed without issuing enforcement action if the AER determines that the responsible parties demonstrated due diligence by making a reasonable effort to follow all rules, regulations, and requirements or if the investigation is inconclusive (there was insufficient evidence).”
Of those identified above it appears 2,499 entries were “Noncompliant” and required “Enforcement.”
“The responses reported here include the following:
Information obtained from Alberta Energy Regulator website.
When you consider Canada and the Canadian government appears to have a significant deficit in ethical behavior and in general is regarded as one of “the white crime” capitals of the world (i. e. money laundering scandal in B.C’s casino and real estate industry) With respect; It appears the statement “Canada’s regulatory process, which is among the most stringent in the world.” may be overstated.