PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Dual-listed Coalspur has been awarded a mineral surface lease for its Vista coal project, in Alberta, Canada, securing the final approval to start construction of the project.
In August, the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) approved the project for construction and operation under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, while also approving the project to carry out construction and operating activities under the Water Act.
Coalspur was also awarded a licence to operate works and to divert a limited amount of ground and surface water, annually.
Coalspur said on Monday that the company would now seek a development permit from Yellowhead county prior to starting construction at Vista.
“We are pleased that we have now received all required AER approvals for the development of Vista. During this two-and-a-half-year regulatory approvals process, we have sought to work collaboratively with key stakeholders and, in particular, sought to design Vista in such a way that will be mindful of and minimise the environmental impact of the operation we will have,” said Coalspur president and CEO Gill Winkler.
Phase 1 of the Vista development, in the Hinton region of Alberta, would involve the construction and commissioning of a six-million-tonne-a-year thermal coal facility with the capacity to expand to 12-million tonnes a year.
Winkler said that Coalspur remained focused on the strategic review process for Vista’s funding options.
The review would consider alternatives such as securing full funding for the project, the sale of all or a portion of the company’s assets, the formation of a joint venture, a possible merger or the outright sale of the entire company.
Refinancing and recapitalisation would also be investigated.