Putting the Maps Together

What would the “plan” actually look like on the ground?

All of these hills would be gone, replaced with a barren erosion scar.

Then add the roads…

What would be left?

Experience shows sodium bentonite clay mining is not reclaimable in this area and erosion is rampant after intense disturbance. The negative impact on downstream and adjacent landowners and agricultural operations is undeniable.

This project would impact at least 8 environmentally significant and agriculturally productive quarter sections of land:

  • 3 with the proposed mine plan and access roads

  • 3 to the west via erosion

  • 2 to the south and southwest with downstream drainage, impacting erosion and water quality where a creek runs into the Battle River

Drainage changes and water quality impacts would be even farther reaching.

This does not even consider that the open topography of the valley means there would be a line of site on mining sites and scars for miles, dragging down property value for many local landowners.

Reports from the area show the bentonite on section 19 are not drilling grade. The permit application states the intended use as cat litter.

“Land is a limited, non-renewable resource and so should not be wasted. Land-use decisions should strive to reduce the human footprint on Alberta’s landscape. When it comes to land use, other things being equal, less is more - more choices for future generations.” Land Use Framework (Government of AB, 2008)

“Clean air and water, healthy habitat and riparian areas, abundant wildlife species and fisheries are all ‘public goods’ Albertans enjoy and value.

The amount of environmentally significant area impacted, is extensive. This landscape would not be recoverable after intensive disturbance from strip mining. This landscape is a working landscape, providing grazing and agricultural benefits, while also providing ecosystem services. With the end use being cat litter, and the clear language in the Land Use Framework, it must be considered that this project is not in the public interest.

Mapping the Impact

Map showing environmentally significant areas in proposed sodium bentonite clay mining project area with highlighted squares, some outlined in red and some in yellow. The map includes a satellite image background of the land.
Map of a proposed sodium bentonite recovery mining project with five quarries labeled A-E, each with access entrances and yellow dashed roads connecting them, and a larger map showing location boundaries and access points.
Map from 1958 showing mineral and land exploration in Rosalind-Alberta, with handwritten notes, grid lines, river, and green highlighted areas indicating mineral deposits for sodium bentonite clay mining that was abandoned due to poor quality
A satellite image of a map showing Battle River and creek, a proposed quarry area, gas well, and gas line, along with a blue line representing the creek's path. The map has grid coordinates and is part of a permit application for a mining plan.
Map highlighting conservation and restoration priorities in Camrose County, including lakes, creeks, and watersheds, with numbered markers indicating specific sites.
Map showing prioritization results for Camrose County, including shoreline assessment, high restoration and conservation priorities, with color-coded legend, surrounded by text describing the conservation importance and agencies involved.