Permits granted for Coalspur Mines’ Vista Phase II coal mining project despite AWA Statement of Concern
July 22, 2026
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On May 22, 2025, AWA submitted a statement of concern (SOC) outlining our concerns regarding Coalspur Mines (Operations) Limited’s applications to extend their currently active Vista Coal Mine, and to ask that their applications be denied. On July 20, 2026, we received a reply from the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER), indicating that they would not hold a hearing for the Vista Phase II coal mining project proposal, and granted Coalspur Mines their requested permits.
Vista is Canada’s largest thermal open-pit surface coal mine, located approximately 10km east of Hinton, AB, outside of Jasper National Park. The company proposed to expand their operations by more than 600 hectares in 2025. With the recent approvals from the AER, the combined Vista mining area will likely become the largest thermal coal mine in North America. AWA stands firm that the mine is economically, environmentally, and socially unsound.
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 is disappointed by the decision made by the AER, and reaffirms that the project should not go through.
Read Coalspur’s associated licenses and permits here:
Mine Operations:
- 20260720_rp_aer_coal_processing_plant_approval_vista_coal
- 20260720_rp_coal_mine_permit_vista_coal
- 20260720_rp_aer_phase_one_mine_license_vista_coal
- 20260720_rp_aer_phase_two_mine_license_vista_coal
- 20260720_rp_aer_north_dump_license_approval_vista_coal
- 20260720_rp_aer_south_dump_license_approval_vista_coal
Water Act:
Public Lands Act:
- 20260720_lt_disposition_public_lands_act_vista_coal (1)
- 20260720_lt_disposition_public_lands_act_vista_coal (2)
- 20260720_lt_disposition_public_lands_act_vista_coal (3)
- 20260720_lt_disposition_public_lands_act_vista_coal (4)
- 20260720_lt_disposition_public_lands_act_vista_coal (5)
- 20260720_lt_disposition_public_lands_act_vista_coal (6)