Elk Valley coal mining at a glance
120+ years
Coal mining
85%
Proportion of Canada’s steelmaking coal
4
Currently active steelmaking coal mines
2
Mines not actively producing
3
Currently proposed steelmaking coal mines
Coal mines have operated in the Elk Valley for over 120 years. The region has 5 large steelmaking coal mines owned by Teck Coal Ltd. (Teck).
Four of the mines are still producing steelmaking coal today. One is no longer operating but has reclamation work occurring and has permitted discharges to the Elk River watershed.
Montem Resources Ltd. owns a smaller old mine called Tent Mountain on the B.C. and Alberta border. It’s also not producing coal, but has a small ongoing permitted discharge to the Elk River watershed.
| Currently Active Mines |
| Fording River Operations (Teck) |
| Greenhills Operations (Teck) |
| Line Creek Operations (Teck) |
| Elkview Operations (Teck) |
| Mines Not Actively Producing |
| Coal Mountain Mine (Teck) |
| Tent Mountain Mine (Montem) |
| Proposed New Mines |
| Bingay Coal Mine (Centermount) |
| Crown Mountain Coking Coal Mine (NWP Coal) |
| Michel Coal Mine (North Coal) |
There are 4 proposed coal mine projects (3 new mines and one expansion of an existing mine) in early stages of the Environmental Assessment review process:
- Bingay Coal, Centermount Coal Ltd.
- Crown Mountain Coking Coal, NWP Coal Canada Ltd.
- Michel Coal, North Coal Ltd.
- Fording River Mine Extension, Teck Coal Ltd.
The Environmental Assessment process evaluates potential environmental, social, economic, and cultural health impacts of industrial projects, including mines. It also considers impacts to Indigenous rights and interests.
The Environmental Assessment Office Project Information Centre (EPIC). has information about the Environmental Assessment process and projects undergoing review.
Elk Valley coal mining at a glance
$6.3B
to Canada’s gross domestic product (GDP)
$4.6B
of B.C.’s GDP
~59%
of B.C.’s mining sector GDP
80%
of the regional GDP
> 3,000
local jobs, making Teck the single largest employer in the region
> 12,000
direct, indirect and induced jobs provincially
Source 2022: Deloitte LLP report to the BC Chamber of Commerce, Economic Contribution Analysis of Mining Operations in the Elk Valley.
Coal mining is the primary economic driver in the region and contributes significantly to the provincial and national economies.
Coal mining in the region has also impacted the local environment. The B.C. government, the Ktunaxa Nation, Teck and local communities are working to improve water quality and protect ecosystems and cultural values in the region.
Learn about B.C.’s unique approach to regulating mining and managing water quality in the Elk Valley.
