Nicholas L. M. Allen
Apr 23, 2025
Northback Holdings returned to Crowsnest Pass council to provide an update on their work and offered a timeline for more information about the potential load-out facility.
Northback Holdings returned to Crowsnest Pass council on April 15 to provide an update on their work and reaffirm commitments regarding selenium management, while also offering a timeline for when the public can expect to learn more about the proposed load-out facility.
CEO Mike Young led the presentation at the municipal council chambers, accompanied by Sanjiv Manchanda, CEO of Projects for Hancock Prospecting, the parent company of Northback, and Daina Lazzarotto, Northback’s Manager of Community Relations.
Young focused his remarks on selenium, providing an overview of the naturally occurring element, its presence in the region’s geology, and the science behind mitigating its release during mining operations.
“Selenium is a naturally occurring element that exists in the rocks and soils in many regions around the world. And it does occur in the Rocky Mountains,” said Young “When you mine, you break that rock up and you create more surface area… and so our role in doing that is to reduce the exposure of the rock to water and air and capture and treat what we call mine contact water.”
He explained that Northback is not currently seeking mine approval but is awaiting a decision from the Alberta Energy Regulator on their exploration drilling application, with a ruling expected by early June.
Young outlined several specific commitments already made by Northback, including ensuring that waste rock will not be placed in the Gold Creek watershed to protect habitat for Westslope Cutthroat Trout. He emphasized that selenium management will rely on a “multiple lines of defence” strategy, including modern engineering practices and treatment technologies used successfully elsewhere in British Columbia.
“Our selenium management plan will employ a multiple line of defence strategy using proven treatment technologies,” said Young, “We are reopening an old mine with the benefit of modern science and better understanding than in decades past.”
Councillor Lisa Sygutek praised Young’s leadership and transparency, crediting him with building trust between the company and the community.
“There’s a level of trust that we have with Mike,” said Sygutek. “He’s very open with council. There’s a very good rapport with council, and there’s not a moment when you don’t tell us something that we don’t believe is true… This community backs this program as well as it does because of you.”
She also expressed frustration with the scope of the recent Alberta Energy Regulator hearing regarding Northback’s drilling application, describing it as “an incredible waste of taxpayer dollars” and beyond the original scope of the proceedings.
Council also asked when they could expect to see more details about the proposed load-out facility, one of the most visible and frequently discussed elements of the project.
In response, Manchanda said that additional details and visualizations would likely be available to council and the public sometime between June and September.
“We are going through a final process in terms of our internal approvals,” Young added, “We’ve talked about how we would create visualizations… I think you’ll be amazed at how little you’ll see from the highway.”
Council members also complimented Northback on its community outreach efforts, including mine tours and educational events such as a selenium open house and a fireside chat where $80,000 in community grants were distributed.
“I think your open house on selenium was bang-on, especially for members of the public that aren’t sure about it,” said Councillor Doreen Glavin.
Young said Northback is preparing to restart mine tours in early June, depending on weather conditions, and noted that public consultation and education efforts will ramp up once detailed project plans are finalized.
“I’m really excited,” said Young, “We’ve listened to people’s concerns… and I think what we’ve achieved is remarkable. I’m just chomping at the bit to get out there and begin that education process.”
Northback now awaits the final decision of the AER after the coal exploration drilling program hearing.
