At numerous public meetings over the past few months, the question has been raised whether or not the proposed Raven Coal Mine Project near Fanny Bay is just the beginning of numerous coal mines being developed in the Comox Valley.

Although the proponent of the Raven Project, Compliance Energy Corporation (CEC) is quick to say that they have no plans to develop properties on Vancouver Island at this time, a look at their website may give us a clue as to what their future intentions may be.

The Raven Project, currently undergoing an environmental assessment, is just one of several coal deposits identified in it’s 29,000 hectare coal tenure in the Comox Coal Basin. The Bear Coal Deposit, 12km from the Raven Project,and the Anderson Lake Coal Deposit, just off of the Strathcona Parkway – each with open pit potential – are also contained in it’s Comox Valley coal tenure. CEC isn’t saying if the Bear and Anderson Lake coal deposits are big enough to justify a mine on their own, but once the Raven is operating, Bear and Anderson Lake can both piggyback on the infrastructure and capital investment made for Raven.

How big a loophole is the phrase “at this time”? And what should readers make out of the fact on it’s website, Compliance identifies both deposits as candidates for potential future development? Before filing its first documents for the Raven, the website claimed
“ The Bear [project] is approximately 12 kilometers apart from the Raven and it's anticipated that it would be developed in conjunction with the Raven deposit.” That language has now disappeared.

Skyrocketing world coal prices are accelerating B.C. coal development. Could the mid-Island turn into a mini-Appalachia? Those of you that think that the proposed Raven Project is just going to affect the Fanny Bay area had better wake up and smell the coffee.

The next phase of the environmental assessment of the Raven will include a 40 day public comment period and public meetings in the areas affected by the project. This comment period is expected to commence mid- Spring or possibly later. I urge all the residents of the Comox Valley to participate in the comment period and to attend the public meetings. This proposed Raven Underground Coal Mine Project, if approved, will have a negative impact on not only Fanny Bay, but the entire Comox Valley, for decades to come.

More information on CoalWatch and the Raven Project is available on our website

To view this and other articles visit TideChange Comox Valley at http://www.tidechange.ca