Canada: Nova Scotia Approves Another Seven Years of Coal Mining at Donkin
December 4, 2022 - The provincial government has approved a request from Kameron Coal Management Limited to renew its industrial approval for the Donkin Mine in Cape Breton.
The Nova Scotia government has given approval for another seven years of operation at the Donkin coal mine.
The approval, which comes with what the government calls “stringent” terms and conditions, allows the company to continue to operate the coal mine as long as it is in full compliance with the approval terms.
The approval for just over seven years of operation expires at the end of 2029.
The terms and conditions address issues including:
- greenhouse gas emissions: the company must be in full compliance with its greenhouse gas management plan and is expected to contribute to meeting Nova Scotia's legislated greenhouse gas emissions targets
- degasification: the company must provide biannual reports on the installation of a degasification system that must be operational by March 14, 2023
- industrial noise: the company must be fully compliant with the province's guidelines for noise measurement and assessment for industry
- air quality management
- groundwater and surface water monitoring
- local resident complaint management: the company is required to respond directly to questions or complaints from the local community within five business days.
The company must submit annual compliance reports to the Department of Environment and Climate Change on April 1 with details of operating conditions and monitoring results.
Public works approved the company's transportation route and is working to improve roads and intersections near the mine.
Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Underground Mining Regulations, the Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration is responsible for enforcement and approval of safety plans and equipment associated with the mine.