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Mining

There are approximately 50 active mines operating in Nova Scotia today. All but three of these mines operate above ground (open pit), cutting large holes into the landscape as the desired mineral is taken from the earth. The impact of surface mining is truly irreparable. The minerals taken are non-renewable resources - once they're gone they're gone. Digging up minerals forever alters the landscape, leaving huge holes in the earth, creating massive changes in the way water moves through the mined area, causing the siltation (often accompanied by poisoning) of rivers and streams, and on and on. Many mines occur in very sensitive and ecologically important areas like the 3 peat excavation sites which harvest the richest natural nutrient sources in the province (peat bogs) forever removing the very basis of a unique and highly productive ecosystem.

In a document titled Minerals - A policy for Nova Scotia (Department of Natural Resources Mineral and Energy Branch, 1996), DNR states: "In an increasingly competitive world, Nova Scotia will have to draw on its abundant natural and human resources and aggressively promote what [mineral resources] the province has to offer." There is no doubt that Nova Scotia should make some use of its mineral resources, especially to supply the province's own mineral needs. The problem arises when DNR "aggressively promotes" the extraction of resources, before establishing a Protected Areas Network that will adequately protect the province's 80 distinct Natural Landscapes. Using this approach, unique landscape features could be dug up and taken away, before their true value is realized. And with mining there is no going back, once the land itself is gone - it's gone.

Traditionally the mining industry in Nova Scotia has been hostile towards protected areas, portraying them as being 'sterilized' from human use. That position changed considerably recently with the passing of the province's Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act which includes the goal of protecting 12% of the provincial landmass by 2015. The Mining Association of Nova Scotia now publicly supports the 12% protection commitment but wants to ensure that “the right 12% is protected, allowing Nova Scotians to fully benefit from all of our natural resources”. What this means is that they generally don’t want the province to protect areas that my have high mineral development potential even if the surface biota is worthy of protection. Although this shift in thinking is a welcome softening of a previously hard and resistant position, it is clear that conflict over the selection of new protected areas will likely continue to be contentious.

Recently the provincial government has allowed a new mine to be created right beside the Tobeatic Wilderness Area. In addition, Gold speculators have been aggressively lobbying for access to Gully Lake and there is currently significant interest building in the Ship Harbour Long Lake area along the Eastern Shore.

Mining Links