Mountain View County has announced that it has approved a request by E3 Lithium for an option to purchase the land at the former Dyck Gravel Pit, located approximately 18 kilometers east of the County Office.
The site has been deemed suitable for potential commercial lithium production.
It would be the first of it’s kind in Alberta.
A news release from the county explains that under the Municipal Government Act, Mountain View County has the authority to sell land at market value without advertising, provided a specific request to purchase is made.
E3 Lithium has made such a request, prompting the County to assess the fair market value of the property.
The Dyck Gravel Pit has been selected as an ideal location for E3 Lithium’s project, as it was previously disturbed by aggregate operations, making it suitable for repurposing.
This aligns with Council’s strategic commitment to minimize the amount of agricultural land taken out of production to support non-agricultural endeavors.
The option to purchase price is just over $1.5 million.
As part of the land acquisition, E3 will repurpose the majority of the area disturbed for aggregate extraction and will assume responsibility for reclamation of the site to Alberta Environment standards.
E3 Lithium has been granted a option to purchase the land, but that has not yet been taken up.
All regulatory compliance, permits, and approvals for lithium extraction will remain under the jurisdiction of the Alberta Energy Regulator.
The County is relying on the provincial regulatory process, in that it will provide appropriate consideration towards minimizing off-site impacts and addressing concerns of landowners in the area.
The news release also states that the potential of this land, should E3 Lithium choose to exercise their option, presents numerous benefits for Mountain View County including significant economic growth through the establishment of a commercial lithium production facility, which has the potential to create hundreds of jobs and boost the local economy.
