NOTICE OF APPLICATION
GRANDE CACHE COAL CORPORATION
NO. 12 SOUTH B2 UNDERGROUND MINE

ENERGY RESOURCES CONSERVATION BOARD
APPLICATION NO. 1632635

ALBERTA ENVIRONMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND ENHANCEMENT ACT
APPLICATION NO. 006-155804
WATER ACT FILE NO. 00250576

The Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB/Board) has received Application No. 1632635 and Alberta Environment (AENV) has received Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA) Application No. 006-155804 and a Water Act application. This notice is being distributed to advise interested persons that the applications are available and that the ERCB, AENV, and other government departments are now undertaking a review of the applications.

The proposed development would include the No. 12 South B2 underground mine and a surface portal pad. The portal pad development would be contained within the disturbance footprint of the existing No. 12 South B2 pit area and would be reclaimed to wildlife habitat. The proposed mine would incorporate the use of the existing surface infrastructure, haul road, and settling pond. The proposed development would be located in the Grande Cache area, about 20 kilometres north of the Town of Grande Cache in Township 58, Ranges 9 and 10, West of the 6th Meridian, within the Municipal District of Greenview. The proposed mine would have the potential to produce about 1 million tonnes of raw coal per year.

Nature of the Applications

• Grande Cache Coal Corporation (GCC) has applied, pursuant to Sections 10(1)(b) and 11(a) of the Coal Conservation Act and Sections 4(1), 4(2), 8(1), and 8(2) of the Coal Conservation Regulations, for a permit amendment and licence.
• GCC has submitted Application No. 006-155804 to AENV, pursuant to Part 2, Division 2, of the EPEA, for an amendment to existing Approval No. 155804-00-03 for the construction, operation, and reclamation of an underground mine and portal pad.
• GCC has submitted an application (File No. 00250576) to AENV, pursuant to Section 37(1) of the Water Act, to divert 220 000 cubic metres of groundwater and 35 000 cubic metres of surface runoff annually from the proposed No. 12 South B2 underground mine and B2 pit lake on the Sections 19 and 30-58-9-W6M and Sections 24, 25, and 26-58-10-W6M for industrial purposes (flood control, equipment cooling, and dust control). The depth interval of the underground mine would be from 0 to 70 metres.

To obtain a copy of the application, contact
Grande Cache Coal Corporation
Suite 1610, 800–5 Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta  T2P 3T6
Attention: Bernd Martens, Manager, Environment
Telephone: 403-543-7030
Fax: 403-543-7092
E-mail: berndm@gccoal.com

To view a copy of the application and supporting documents, contact

ERCB Information Services
Main Floor, 640–5 Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta  T2P 3G4
Telephone: 403-297-8311
Viewing hours: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

Alberta Environment, Northern Region
111 Twin Atria Building
4999–98 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta  T6B 2X3

Copies of the applications are also available for viewing at the following locations:

• Grande Cache Municipal Library, Grande Cache, Alberta
• Administration Office, Town of Grande Cache, Grande Cache, Alberta
• Grande Cache Corporation, Grande Cache Office, Grande Cache , Alberta

To File a Statement of Concern

Under Section 73 of the EPEA and Section 109 of the Water Act, any person who may be directly affected by the EPEA application or the Water Act application may submit a written statement of concern. Statements of concern under the EPEA and Water Act must be submitted by Wednesday, February 24, 2010. Failure to file a statement of concern may affect the right to file a Notice of Appeal with the Environmental Appeal Board. Please quote Application No. 006-155804 (EPEA) or File No. 00250576 (Water Act) when submitting a statement of concern. If no statements of concern are received, the EPEA and Water Act applications may be approved without further notice. Please submit your statement to

Director, Northern Region
Alberta Environment
Regulatory Approvals Centre
Main Floor, Oxbridge Place
9820–106 Street
Edmonton, Alberta  T5K 2J6
Telephone: 780-427-6311
Fax: 780-422-0154

Confidentiality
In accordance with Section 13 of the Energy Resources Conservation Board Rules of Practice, and Section 35(1) of the EPEA, all documents filed in respect of these applications must be placed on the public record.

For information about ERCB procedures, contact
Applications Branch, Resources Applications Group
Attention: Robin Little
Telephone: 403-297-3540
Fax: 403-297-8122
E-mail: robin.little@ercb.ca

Issued at Calgary, Alberta, on January 13, 2010.

ENERGY RESOURCES CONSERVATION BOARD
Patricia Johnston, Q.C., General Counsel