Watch above: Yancoal’s potash mine plans are upsetting landowners in Earl Grey. Global’s Kim Smith talks with some of the Saskatchewan landowners in an area north of Regina.
EARL GREY, Sask. – Some landowners near Earl Grey are upset over the proposed Yancoal potash mine site, located just north of the community.
“We’re all concerned because of the lack of information.”
“Nobody wants to be the guy that says not in my backyard but I think that we need to know that this is being done responsibly, environmentally and socially,” said resident Brent Johnson, following a public meeting in Earl Grey on Thursday evening.
Many are concerned about the potential environmental impact it will have on the area.
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Johnson said the company got off on the wrong foot with some residents.
“When the land sales were being negotiated, there was a lot of playing one neighbour against the other going on and it’s left a bad taste in everyone’s mouths.”
Representatives from the proposed Chinese-owned potash mine are trying to reassure people they are sensitive to environmental concerns.
“We have been sharing with them what benefits this project will bring to the community, like improved infrastructure, taxes, royalties, to the province,” said Asad Naqvi, with Yancoal Canada Resources.
Representatives from the Rural Municipality of Longlaketon said they’ve been left out of the loop on important details.
“We’re all concerned because of the lack of information. If there’s going to be roads closed or which roads they’re going to want to build up,” said Scott Hegglin, a councillor. “The young families that are in the area, that want to farm. This could ruin it for them.”
The project will use a technique where water is used to bring potash to the surface.
At the meeting, the province said a financial assurance requirement will hold the company accountable.
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“To make sure that if anything happened to the company there would be no outstanding environmental or financial liability to the RM,” said Brady Pollock, with the ministry of environment.
Yancoal is working on submitting a feasibility study and an environmental assessment. Construction is expected to take close to three years to complete, with production to begin in 2020.
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