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. 
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. 
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. 
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.