EDMONTON—Alberta has decided to cancel recently issued coal leases in the Rocky Mountains, as public opposition grows to the United Conservative government’s plan to expand coal mining in the area. Late Monday afternoon, Energy Minister Sonya Savage issued a press release saying the sale of 11 recently purchased coal leases would be cancelled. Savage added that no further leases would be sold on lands that were protected from open-pit mines under a policy the government revoked last May. “We have listened carefully to the concerns raised in recent days, and thank those who spoke up with passion,” she said in the release. “This pause will provide our government with the opportunity to ensure that the interests of Albertans, as owners of mineral resources, are protected.” She also said the move will have no impact on existing coal projects currently under regulatory review. The cancelled leases are a small portion of …