• The northeast coal belt is one of three primary coal regions in B.C. and stretches from the Alberta border, east of Prince George, and northwest over 500 kilometres towards the Yukon border.
• About $338 million was spent on mineral exploration in B.C. in 2014. About $92 million (or 27%) of this spending took place in northeast B.C. (the combined Omineca and Northeast regions).
• There are five permitted coal mines in Northeast B.C.: Trend-Roman, Brule, Wolverine, Willow Creek and Quintette. All of these mines are currently in a care and maintenance phase due to low coal prices, but they are expected to re-open.
• There are also a number of proposed coal mine projects in the area, including Murray River, Gething and Sukunka.

Water Use in Mining

• Water is typically used in mining operations for: washing coal, land improvements, dust control, sediment control, processing ore and road maintenance.
• Approximately 20% of all licensed surface water distributed for consumption in Northeast B.C. is used by the mining industry.
• As of November 2014, 12.6 million cubic metres of licensed surface water per year was allocated to the mining sector. However, the actual amount used is generally less than that.

Water Stewardship Strategies

• Federal and provincial water quality guidelines protect water resources for various uses, including drinking water, irrigation, recreation and use by freshwater aquatic life, wildlife and livestock.
• Mining operations in B.C. may discharge effluent, emissions or solid waste only under the terms of a waste discharge permit issued by the Ministry of Environment. 
• Mining companies are required to develop mitigation plans and monitor water throughout the life of the mine, and implement reclamation and closure plans to return the site to productive use when the mine ceases operation. 
• Mining operations require at least 13 permits to use and discharge water at any mine site in B.C. Permits are issued under the Environmental Management Act, Water Act and Public Health Act.
• The protection and reclamation of watercourses and land affected by mining is regulated under the Mines Act and the Health Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia.
• The permitting and monitoring requirements of the Environmental Management Act assess the total discharge of mining operations into the environment, as well as the cumulative effects of development.
• The Ministry of Environment has updated its water quality guidelines for selenium, nitrate and sulphate and it is in the process of updating its guidelines for cadmium.
• The Environmental Management Act guidelines for water quality include rigorous reporting on water quality in streams associated with mining operations.

Media Contact:
Media Relations
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 356-5261