August 5th, 2026
The Alberta Energy Regulator’s approval of the Vista Phase II coal mine expansion raises yet more serious questions about the Government of Alberta’s commitment to protecting the Eastern Slopes and the headwaters that millions of Albertans depend on.
Despite the government of Alberta’s promises to ban new open-pit coal mines on the Eastern Slopes, the federal government’s commitment to completely phasing out the export of thermal coal from production in Canada by 2030, and a global shift away from coal energy production, the AER has approved a major expansion of the Vista thermal coal mine near Hinton.
Albertans have repeatedly been assured that there would be no new open-pit coal mines on the Eastern Slopes, and that Alberta’s headwaters would remain protected from the impacts of coal development. The approval of Vista Phase II undermines public confidence in those commitments.
While Vista Phase II is technically an expansion of an existing operation rather than a “new” mine, the approval authorizes significant new mining areas, additional tailings infrastructure, expanded wastewater management facilities, and years of additional environmental damage.
Coal dust blowing from the Vista Mine near Hinton, Alberta.
The new mine expansion will further contaminate the McLeod River watershed, one that Government of Alberta’s own research has shown to have elevated levels of selenium, and other contaminants, further endangering Athabasca Rainbow Trout, and other downstream wildlife.
In light of recent AER decisions, including the approval of Mine 14 near Grande Cache, the decision sows further doubt into the ability of the government to keep to their promise of safeguarding the waterways in the Eastern Slopes that millions of Albertans ultimately rely on for agriculture, safe drinking and recreation.
While the AER has granted provincial permits for the mine, Coalspur will also require federal permitting from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
“If Albertans cannot rely on commitments regarding open-pit coal mining, it becomes increasingly difficult to trust assurances that Alberta’s water will be protected from future selenium contamination and other long-term impacts of coal development.”
“The eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains deserve permanent, legislated protection from any and all new coal mining – period.”
– Tara Russell, Program Director with CPAWS Northern Alberta.
Background
The Vista Mine is an existing thermal coal mine located approximately seven kilometers east of Hinton, which has been producing coal since 2019. Vista Phase II is a substantial expansion of the existing operation. The project extends mining into new areas west of the current mine footprint, increases annual production, adds new tailings and water management infrastructure, and extends the life of the mine by more than a decade.
CPAWS Northern Alberta has participated throughout the regulatory review process, submitting a Statement of Concern in May 2025 detailing concerns regarding wetlands, fish habitat, wildlife, groundwater and water quality. In July 2026, the AER decided the concerns raised by CPAWS Northern Alberta and others did not warrant a hearing and granted the approvals for the mine expansion.
Location of the Vista Mine relative to other coal mines and leases in the Eastern Slopes.
Timeline
2014
Coalspur receives construction and operations approvals for Vista Mine
2019
Coal production begins at Vista Mine
Coalspur proposes Vista Phase II, which would:
- Extend mining westward,
- Add approximately 630 hectares,
- Increase production by roughly 4.2 million tonnes/year,
- Extend operations by about 11 years
2022
Despite a moratorium being placed on all coal exploration and development in the Eastern Slopes, the Vista Phase II expansion (along with three other proposals) is granted exemption as an “advanced” proposal.
2024
After requests for a federal review by several conservation organizations, the Federal Impact Assessment Agency (IAAC) decide not to designate the project for federal review.
2026
The Alberta Energy Regulator decides a hearing is not warranted and approves Vista Phase II, issuing amended approvals under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, Water Act and other legislation.
Environmental concerns remain
Throughout the review process, CPAWS Northern Alberta raised concerns regarding the long-term impacts of the project on Alberta’s headwaters and surrounding ecosystems. Some of the main concerns we have with the project include:
- Water quality: selenium, and other contaminants can accumulate in aquatic food webs and harm fish reproduction and aquatic ecosystems.
- Species at risk: species at risk, such as endangered Athabasca Rainbow Trout, will experience increased mortality, habitat alteration and destruction, health impacts, and population declines.
- Noncompliance: the coal industry, including Coalspur Mines, have a history of exceedances, noncompliance, and investigations showing an unwillingness or inability to comply with approval conditions that are set.
- Inadequate reclamation: reclamation of the mine will not only be costly, but will also likely be inadequate given the impact on species at risk habitat in particular. Coalspur filed for creditor protection in 2021 due to insolvency, calling into question their ability to perform all reclamation activities at the end of the mine’s lifespan.
For further information, please contact:
Tara Russell, Program Director, CPAWS Northern Alberta
Make a donation
Move conservation forward in Alberta.
Lasting protection for nature and wildlife in Alberta doesn’t happen overnight (although we wish it did)! Your donation fuels our fight for nature. Donate to support CPAWS Northern Alberta’s conservation efforts.
Donate