WHO?
- Compliance Energy Corp (small Canadian mining company) plus partners Itochu Corporation (Japan), LG International (Korea). (aka “Comox Join Venture”)
WHAT?
- Raven Underground Coal Mine: about 1 million tonnes per year low-grade metallurgical and/or thermal coal for export plus about 1 million tonnes per year toxic waste rock to remain on site.
- New coal port in Port Alberni.
WHERE?
- Raven Coal Tenure: 31 square kilometres underground between Beaufort Mountains and Baynes Sound and 2 sq km surface works 4.2 km SW of Buckley Bay in upper Cowie Creek.
- Total Compliance coal holdings: 290 sq km between Fanny Bay and Oyster River.
WHEN?
- Proposal now under government review. Could be approved in 2014.
- Estimated mine life: 16 years, possibly followed by new developments in other Compliance holdings near Cumberland and Courtenay.
THE PROJECT IS CURRENTLY UNDERGOING A JOINT FEDERAL-PROVINCIAL REVIEW. DOESN’T THAT PROTECT THE PUBLIC INTEREST?
- In a word, No!
- -Current review is designed to enable industrial projects by finding ways to “mitigate” adverse project impacts.
- All key elements of the review are controlled by government agencies.
- Final decision is made by Federal and Provincial Cabinets, both of which support fossil fuel export industries as a matter of policy.
- Scope of review is too narrow: study areas too small; assessment of social, economic and cumulative impacts inadequate; no consideration of exported CO2 emissions.
- All Comox Valley local governments have asked that the review process be halted until both the scope and the structure of the review process are improved.
- K’omoks and Tseshaht First Nations have stated that Compliance’s consultations do not meet legal requirements and Aboriginal Title has not been adequately addressed.
WHAT IS THE CURRENT STATUS OF THE PROPOSAL?
- On hold
- In April, Compliance submitted a voluminous environmental impact assessment (EIA), which the government review agencies found to be inadequate and returned to the proponent for further work. The company says that they will submit a revised document around the end of 2013.
- Once an “acceptable” EIA has been submitted, there will be a review period with limited public input and a final decision within about 8 months (possibly late 2014.)
HOW CAN THE PUBLIC OPPOSE THE RAVEN PROPOSAL?
- Refuse to grant “social license” to this proposal.
- Inform yourself. http://www.coalwatch.ca/; Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency ; Compliance Energy Corporation
- Encourage local governments to oppose the project.
- Write your newspapers and elected federal and provincial politicians.
- Attend “Open Houses” and submit written comments during the upcoming public comment period following release of the revised EIA (early 2014?)
- Direct action: demonstrations, civil disobedience, …
-Prepared by Denman Opposes Coal, June 2013
denmanopposescoal@gmail.com
If you would like to print a handout copy of the above information, please access the original pdf file by clicking HERE!
Denman Opposes Coal 