Reclamation security deposits in Alberta

Alberta regulations require mining operators to post security deposits for reclamation. After fifteen years of administering the collection and refunding of security, the Land Conservation and Reclamation Council recognized the need to review procedures for security deposits. The key element is a “partial return” of security for reclamation work conducted prior to issuance of a final reclamation certificate for the site. The system is based on maintaining sufficient security to equal the remaining reclamation costs, returning “excess” security, removing security inequities between mines, providing a financial return and credit for reclamation work, limiting government liability, and functioning within existing legislation. The system was developed in conjunction with the mining industry, ensuring a cooperative, workable approach.Non UBCUnreviewedOthe

The Whitewood Mine lake construction project

Alberta's regulatory process for coal mine reclamation utilizes a cooperative approach. The value of this approach will increase through the 1990s as demand for public participation increases. The Alberta Government Development and Reclamation Review Committee, the County of Parkland, and TransAlta Utilities Corporation cooperated to ensure that a useful lake and surrounding landscape would be constructed to replace two lakes that had to be drained in advance of mining at the Whitewood Mine. The goal of the reclamation process is to achieve sustainable development. This ensures that present day use of resources does not compromise future land use. The replacement lake occupies 18.5 hectares within a reclaimed area of 126 hectares. The lake and adjacent land will be exchanged with the Alberta Government for the land under the two drained lakes, as well as an additional quarter section of land required by TransAlta for future mining. The overall exchange will be for equivalent land areas. Through numerous meetings of the three principals, the lake site was designated to have the potential for development as a put-and-take fishery, wildlife habitat area, day-use recreation area, and parkland area. Special features incorporated in the lake design were a picnic area, campsite, boat launch and beach. The design process was started in 1982, construction was carried out in 1987/88, and the area surrounding the lake was revegetated in 1988/89. Monitoring of lake development and revegetation is ongoing.Non UBCUnreviewedOthe

The relationship between reclamation and sustainable economic development

Sustainable economic development is defined as development which ensures that the utilization of resources and the environment today does not damage prospects for their use by future generations. It is relatively easy to see how this concept can be applied to renewable resources; it is more difficult to understand how it can be applied to a "drastic" disturbance, such as a surface mine, where the resource is permanently removed. One mechanism for achieving this is reclamation. This paper will define sustainable economic development in the context of non-renewable resources and examine the changing nature of reclamation over time. A review of the Alberta Government's approach to reclamation will show how we tie reclamation and sustainable economic development together. Finally I will also challenge reclamationists to promote their wares to the public.Non UBCUnreviewedOthe