Steelmaking Coal Facts
Steelmaking Coal Facts
Steelmaking coal has a key role to play for host economies and the world’s decarbonisation.
01
At Valory, we only mine coal which is used to make steel – this is called steelmaking coal.
Modern lifestyles depend on steel. As the world commits to a lower carbon future, steel becomes even more important for renewable wind and solar farms, electric cars, modern appliances or infrastructure.
In Alberta, the industries which the Province so greatly depends upon for its economic prosperity all depend upon steel. Whether this will be in the oil and gas, forestry or agriculture. All Albertans’ quality of life and economic prosperity depends upon having access to steel for these industries.
At Valory, we produce the mineral which almost everyone’s modern lifestyle depends – steel making coal and Alberta has billions of tonnes in reserves that can be safely, economically and responsibly extracted for the benefit of Alberta and the world.
Valory’s business matters to all Albertans – “Because Steel Matters”.
02
Valory ‘s coal projects use underground mining, not open cut. That’s a major benefit.
Underground mining produces no large waste rock spoil piles as the mining operations occur within the coal seams – this is completely different to open cut mining which mines substantial waste rock to expose the coal seams for mining. No spoil piles means a significantly minimized risk of downstream water contamination. Further, the impacts from selenium leachate are minimal.
Underground mining is generally neither visible nor capable of being heard. The bulk of the operations are undertaken underground which means less noise, less dust, less ground vibrations and less surface and aesthetic disruption. The surface land can be used for almost all other commercial, agricultural or recreational purposes at the same time.
There are no explosives used in blasting rock like in large scale open cut mining.
03
Underground coal mining observes the highest safety standards.
Modern underground coal mines are operated by highly skilled and trained workforces, who utilize a high degree of remote equipment control and automation, and who operate in a fully controlled environment with high standards of geotechnical ground support, ventilation and gas management.
In fact, in some parts of the developed world, modern underground coal mines have substantially lower accident, injury and fatality rates compared to large scale open cut mines.
In developing the underground coal mining industry in Alberta, Valory will be deploying state-of-the-art systems in all facets of the company’s operations, including high levels of automated mining techniques.
04
Valory is committed to benefitting our host communities and economies.
Valory’s operations at Mine 14 and Blackstone expect to have direct and indirect employment outcomes approaching 15,000 jobs in Alberta – mostly in the local regions. The annual wages earned by all these people will support thousands of families’ livelihood in Alberta.
Mine workers will be locally housed adjacent to the mines. This results in substantial regional investment and multiples of direct employment outcomes being felt in local and regional communities.
Valory also intends to build and operate a world-best-practice training centre including a simulated underground mining environment, and to deploy comprehensive training systems and programs to train the underground workforce to ensure that they are not only competent, but they are also capable to work safely and effectively in these mines.