Grande Cache Coal Corporation's (GCC) Environmental Policy is to conduct operations in an environmentally responsible and sustainable manner, and to achieve reclamation to productive land uses when mining is completed.

GCC's operations are located in a mountain setting that supports a variety of wildlife, including bighorn sheep, mountain goats, caribou and grizzly bears. To protect wildlife and maintain employee safety, GCC maintains several monitoring programs for key wildlife species such as mountain goats and caribou.  GCC has also initiated a "Critter Card" program that enlists all employees in reporting locations of wildlife in project areas.  Employees are alerted to areas of wildlife activity, such as wildlife crossing locations on haul roads, and mine activities are then adjusted as appropriate to maintain the safety of both wildlife and employees. Mining operations co-exist with wildlife populations and monitoring to date has demonstrated that wildlife can and has adapted to mning activity.

Critter Card Program - All photos taken by members of GCC's Environmental Team on GCC project locations

GCC's Environmental Impact Assessment identified a population of rare species of stream saxifrage (Saxifraga odontoloma) in the No. 7 Mine portal area. GCC started a mitigation program in order to ensure that this population is preserved and re-established after mining is completed.  Selected plants within the portal area were salvaged in summer 2004 and propagated in a laboratory growth chamber for later introduction back into the field. Transplant trials were started on a reconstructed portion of stream channel in summer 2005. GCC expects the results of this study will define the field conditions and techniques for successful reclamation.

GCC entered the regulatory approvals process in 2000.  This included the completion of a detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Grande Cache Project, encompassing No. 7 and No. 8 Mines, as well as coal processing infrastructure.  The EIA identified environmental sensitivities that require management in and near GCC's operations areas.

GCC's operations are regulated primarily under the Coal Conservation Act, the Alberta Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA) and the Water Act, and subject to federal statutes dealing with project review, impact assessment and protection of fisheries streams.

GCC operates under the terms and conditions of EPEA Approval No. 155804-00-02 for the No. 7 Underground Mine and the No. 12 B2 Surface Mine.  These approvals were issued in 2004, enabling GCC to start mining operations in August 2004 and coal processing operations in September 2004.  A reclamation security was provided by GCC to the Government of Alberta for all disturbance and operations areas, including decommissioning security for underground mine facilities and coal processing plant structures.

The EPEA Approval prescribes environmental standards for water and air emissions as well as monitoring and reporting programs for a wide range of quality parameters related to air, water and wildlife within and around operations areas.  GCC's Environmental Team is also responsible for:

Water & Air Quality Management:

  • Site Wide Water Balance and Water Measurement
  • Mine Wastewater Handling Facilities and Diversion Structures
  • Domestic Water and Wastewater Systems
  • Particulates and Dust Control Program
  • Coal Dryer Volatile Organic Compounds and Particulate Emission Reduction Action Plan
  • Instrumentation and Maintenance at Air Quality Monitoring Stations

Other Environmental Protection, Compliance and Management Programs:

  • Selenium Monitoring and Management
  • Waste Management
  • Flood Creek Disposal Facility
  • Groundwater and Seepage Monitoring
  • Baseflow Monitoring - Caw Creek Watershed
  • Fisheries and Benthic Invertebrate Monitoring
  • Reclamation and Remediation

Relationships with Community Stakeolders and Consultation Programs:

  • Town of Grande Cache
  • Aseniwuche Winewak Nation of Canada
  • Métis Nation of Alberta Association Local Council No. 1994
  • Wanyandie Flats Aboriginal Community
  • Milner Power Inc.
  • Registered Trapline Holders
  • Kakwa/Copton Access Management