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Alberta’s Coal Mine Reclamation Regulations Failing to Protect Water, Fish, Scientists Say
RIVERS SOUTH OF HINTON, ALBERTA, AUG 1 – A study shows selenium levels exceeded safety limits in 98 to 100% of samples downstream from old coal mines, threatening aquatic ecosystems and endangered fish species.
- A peer-reviewed study conducted by Alberta government researchers and former environmental chief Bill Donahue revealed that abandoned coal mining sites near Hinton, Alberta, continue to contaminate nearby waterways as of 2025.
- The study followed mine closures in the early 2000s and highlights that existing provincial regulations are failing to prevent pollutants from harming aquatic ecosystems.
- Authors discovered high contaminant levels, including selenium exceeding Alberta's protection guideline in 98 to 100 percent of samples at six sites, and nickel 200 times higher downstream in the Luscar Creek and Gregg River.
- Donahue described the study as a sign of concern regarding regulatory shortcomings, while the province has responded by sharing the findings with regulators and prohibiting new open-pit coal mines to protect the environment.
- The report cautions that current reclamation and mitigation efforts might fail to recover aquatic ecosystems or undo environmental harm, endangering the survival of the endangered Athabasca Rainbow Trout and threatening long-term water quality.
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21 Articles
21 Articles
Alberta's old coal mines contaminating rivers and endangering fish, study finds
Alberta regulations meant to keep old coal mines from polluting streams and lakes are failing, a new study suggests. Authors of the report found high concentrations of several pollutants in rivers downstream from three old coal mines south of Hinton, Alta.
·Canada
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources21
Leaning Left12Leaning Right0Center1Last UpdatedBias Distribution92% Left
Bias Distribution
- 92% of the sources lean Left
92% Left
L 92%
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