The true cost of coal

This series focuses on the hidden impacts of coal mining in the Elk Valley.
 

Despite the economic benefits coal mining has brought to these communities and the province, the hidden cost to the environment, to human health, and the climate cannot be ignored. Solutions exist to these problems, but unless B.C. and the Federal government are willing to take appropriate action, B.C. and Canada will always have dirt on their hands.

The first story presents an overview of coal mining in British Columbia and explores the Elk Valley as a case study of Canada’s largest silent unfolding contamination crisis. Subsequent stories dive into detail on the cost coal mining in the Elk Valley has to the environment, to human health, and climate change.

Explore our True Cost of Coal series:
 
Text: an overview of coal mining in the Elk Valley photo: open pit mine with tailing ponds in the Elk Valley 
Text: the cost of coal to human health. Background: image of desolate coal mine with dust in the air
text: coming soon, the cost of coal to climate change

Mining News

For decades, mountaintop removal coal mining has been leaching contamination into the Elk-Kootenay River System. Deemed by some as Canada’s largest-ever contamination crisis, selenium, nitrates, sulphates, and other pollutants are threatening species at risk like cutthroat trout, regional water secuRead More 
Kukama?nam/Kimberley The BC government has fined Teck Coal $16.5 million for failure to construct a water treatment facility by the required permit…Read More 
The intervenor applications for the Gitxaała Nation’s legal challenge against the Province of British Columbia and four mineral claim holders begin today. The…Read More 
K̓ukamaʔnam/Kimberley – Wildsight strongly supports the Ktunaxa Nation’s decades long call to have the International Joint Commission (ICJ) address the deterioration of…Read More 
If Elk Valley coal mine emissions from coal in the ground to steel in hand were included in British Columbia's total greenhouse gas emissions…Read More 
The Elk Valley, British Columbia, is in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. It hosts stunning views of rugged mountains and scenic rivers. It is…Read More 
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