Energy Justice Collaborative

Unama'ki Cape Breton Coal Trap

Unama'ki Cape Breton is caught in a coal trap that’s causing it to miss the clean energy revolution. As a result, the island faces substantial economic obstacles and serious environmental and public health concerns.

Climate change will force us to rethink the way we generate and distribute energy and regulate the system.

It is critical that we rethink our current energy system to enable reliable, locally produced, and locally controlled energy without replicating the current structures of power and control.

Coal Mine Noise is Making us Sick

Betrayal of science and reason . . .

The following adverse community noise was recorded seven (7) kilometres from the mine's ventilation fans.

Noise Expert: Worst they’ve seen in over 30 years. Source: Saltwire Nova Scotia. April 26, 2021.

Community torture . . .

"The industrial noise is linked to sleep loss and deteriorating mental and physical health," says Cape Breton University sleep expert Dr. Sarah Barnes.

• Over 120 residents have been affected by the industrial noise emanating from the Donkin Mine. A number of significant adverse health reactions experienced include decreased quality of life, stress, balance disorders and noise-induced sleep disturbance as well as mental and physical impairment such as fatigue, irritability, headache, lack of concentration, anxiety, depression, tinnitus and hyper-tension.

People are sleeping in their basements, temporary leaving their homes, and some have contemplated selling their homes - all to get rid of this annoying and stressful noise which some classify as “torture.” Source: Noise like Torture, Cape Breton Post (Opinion) April 21, 2022.

Local families have endured four years of suffering -– some residents are on the verge of developing chronic health effects. Some have also felt anger, grief, or a sense of injustice and feel further victimized by a lack of political action to protect family health.

Special health notice for local residents

The tonal noise emanating from the Donkin mine consists of blade-passing frequency and its harmonics that creates a harmful pure tone that can travel great distances and has the energy to penetrate through walls and windows where it reverberates throughout your house, disturbing sleep and ultimately your psychological and physical well-being.

The World Health Organization within the publication on Community Noise (Berglund et al., 2000) states the evidence of tonal noise increase considerably the adverse effects on health and is sufficiently strong to warrant immediate concern.

Political Silence

Our local MLA who is also the Minister of Mental Health and the Minister of Health and Wellness were both requested recently to intervene to ensure the protection of public health –– both Ministers remain silent to the community's requests.

Political and regulatory capture

Strange bedfellows, coal's deep state

On April 2022 Morien Resources cautioned that the Donkin Coal mine could close for good. "They need to find financing ... and that is probably not that easy for them to come by overnight." The billionaire owner of the Donkin coal mine is a major shareholder of Morien Resources.

Within 24 hours, Conservative Premier Houston hires former Liberal cabinet minister MacLellan (see photo above) for top job as the Premier's deputy minister. MacLellan has been involved in high-level politics since 2010 and served as Liberal MLA for the Donkin coal mine area from 2010 to 2021. MacLellan will report directly to Houston and the two men will work closely together on key intergovernment affairs and trade files.

A short six weeks later, on June 16th the owner of the Donkin coal mine is making plans to reopen the Donkin Coal Mine. Apparently financing was found overnight.

Premier Tim Houston thanks MacLellan for his 7-month service.

Then, the Environment Department inadvertently revealed that MacLellan was now employed with the Donkin Coal Mine –– at that time, this was not public knowledge –– special interests acquired a powerful advocate.

Uncontrolled Greenhouse Gas Leak

Over one million tonnes greenhouse gases emissions

"Donkin coal is known to be higher in methane production than other underground coal mines." Source: CBC News, May 22, 2019.

The Nova Scotia government likes to call itself a climate leader but in reality it's a rogue super-emitter of greenhouse gas.

A must watch two minute CBC News video.

Extraction of coal from the Donkin mine will produce one million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, and burning the coal at the local Nova Scotia Power Generation plant is another matter.

Cap-and-trade smoke and mirrors . . .

In 2023, Nova Scotia announces that the Donkin mine joins ‘large emitter’ carbon pricing system, then it annouces that the provincial cap-and-trade program is winding down at the end of the very same year 2023.

In 2024, the Donkin mine does not pay the $80 per ton polluter-pay carbon emission tax –– an annual $80 million dollar corporate axe-the-tax break.

Climate deniers . . .

Fossil gas methane and CO2 is becoming a serious threat to humanity, and Nova Scotia’s coal industry is underreporting and overwhelming emitting a uncontrolled amount of methane and carbon dioxide gas directly into the environment. All of which translates into more severe heatwaves, wildfires, storms, flooding.

Meanwhile, meteorologists are forecasting a potentially catastrophic Atlantic hurricane season starting in June 2024.

Mine Official with a Questionable Safety Record

Global News Documentary –– "The Pit"

A must watch 20 minute video –– The Pit.

Nova Scotia politicians were warned to take another hard look at Donkin because questions surrounding the safety records of people running the day-to-day operations of the mine still remain unanswered by government officials. Source: Global News Investigation

Davitt McAteer, once the top mining inspector with the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), also the head of MSHA under President Bill Clinton warned the Nova Scotia government about the safety record of the Donkin Mine operator. The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) looked upon the mine operator with some distrust because it was on the cusp of a pattern of violations as stated by the US Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission.

In an on camera interview, the Minister promised to release a list of all the managers at Donkin but later stated it would “not provide private company information”, Global News Investigation (Gil Shochat, Francesca Fionda, Sandra Bartlett), April 23, 2016.

Negligence is . . . seven years later questions surrounding the safety records of people running the coal mine still remain unanswered by government officials.

A Parade of Misery

Glimpses of Westray, a predictable path to disaster

In the United States, mine officials have to report serious incidents within 15 minutes and not disturb any evidence. U.S. mine inspectors are available 24 hours and employ experts to undertake investigations.

In Nova Scotia, mine officials are allowed to report within 24 hours, plenty of time to disturb evidence. Provincial mine inspectors are not available during weekends and Labour department permits mine officials to submit their own investigation reports. The Labour department has no way to independently verify the real cause of serious incidents, essentially outsourced the government’s responsibility to enforce mine regulations to industry, a shocking abdication of responsibility by the provincial regulator.

Former mine workers describe 'scary' safety practices . . .

CBC has agreed not to identify the miners, as they signed a confidentiality agreement with the company and agreed not to talk to the media, CBC Canada. “It’s just a matter of time before somebody gets injured or killed”. Nova Scotia Advocate.

An injury of a Donkin coal miner occurred . . .

A Donkin coal miner was injured involving a faulty roof bolter machine. Mine inspectors only became aware of the incident because the local police reported to the Labour department. Provincial mine inspectors requested the company provide a report on the malfunctioning equipment. No way to independently verify the real cause. National Observer.

A death of a Donkin coal miner occurred . . .

A coal miner fatality occurred. There was no Labour department statement that an investigation was underway into death of worker. Over a year later and the Labour department still has not released independent preliminary or final reports. The police and the regional coroner's office have not released the results of their investigations.

September 14th, inspectors with the occupational health and safety team were on-site to inspect Donkin Coal Mine as it resumed coal mining operations on Tuesday, September 13th.

• “All Nova Scotians deserve to return home to their families at the end of the work day,” said Jill Balser, Minister of Labour, Skills and Immigration.

September 20th, mine officials inform the community liaison committee that one of their employees passed away on September 9th. Company officials state his death was not considered a workplace accident because it was not related to the work he was doing –– there is no way to independently verify the real cause.

Carbon monoxide monitoring was not up to code, National Observer.

A dangerous underground conveyor belt fire occurred . . .

• Earlier fines included "infractions ranging from unsafe operation of conveyor belts to accumulations of coal dust." Toronto Star (Canadian Press), May 22, 2019.

• With the threat of explosion causing death and mine officials sent workers into the mine to extinguish the underground fire. Provincial mine inspectors arrived the day after the fire and requested the company provide a report on the underground fire. The Labour department had no way to independently verify the real cause of the underground fire. No penalties were imposed by the Labour department in relation to the fire. CBC News and National Observer.

Power outages, ventilation fans stop working . . .

1) The main ventilation fan at the mine stop working March 22, 2017, and the mine's standby power supply, required under the province's mining regulations, was not available.

• Scott Nauss, the senior director of inspection and compliance with Nova Scotia's occupational health and safety division, told CBC News that the government has no way to independently verify that workers were pulled from the mine immediately after the power went out.

• According to Nova Scotia Power, the outage began just before 10 a.m. and became public knowledge when government officials caught wind of the power outage at about 3 p.m. and issued a stop-work order.

2) Another power outage at the end of 2021, Donkin Mine needed to replace a part in their substation –– the ventilation fans were unavailable for a couple of days.

3) Two months later, another power outage, Donkin Mine could not isolate their substation from the power grid due to ice build-up –– the ventilation fans were unavailable for about 24 hours.

Without proper ventilation, methane can build up to dangerous levels and cause an explosion.

A Methane fire . . .

Methane ignites at Cape Breton coal mine rock face. Halifax Chronicle Journal May 19, 2019.

The Donkin coal mine is known to be higher in methane production than other underground coal mines. A methane fire occurred at the Donkin and leads to a stop-work order being issued. CBC News.

The mine has experienced 32 roof falls . . .

Instead of taking the time to understand the underground geology, Donkin mine decided to skip their feasibility study and go directly into production, Canadian Mining. With only 11 core holes, Donkin mine admits “we took a big risk”, Cape Breton Post.

The mine has experienced 32 roof falls since it opened in 2017, which includes the more than two years the mine was shut down by the operator due to what it called "challenging" geologic conditions following a series of roof falls in 2019 and 2020, CBC News. A few rockfalls were never reported and only became public knowledge when government officials showed up for inspections. It was later revealed that officers of the mine broke a regulation that requires immediate reporting of massive cave-ins. CBC News.

Two rockfalls in one week . . .

On Sunday July 9, 2023, the Nova Scotia’s Labour Department received a report of problems with roof supports, Global News. Provincial mine inspectors arrived the next day where they had no way to independently verify the real cause of the underground rockfall –– the mine was still given approval to reopen, CBC News. A week later, the enormous July 15, 2023 roof fall occurred in the main access tunnel, approximately 1,500 metres from the mine entrance while miners were underground, impairing both coal miner mobility and ventilation, CBC News. Briefing note to the Minister, get the risk to workers to an "acceptable" level. CBC News.

Multiple safety closures . . .

1) A section of Donkin mine reopens after month-long safety closure, CBC News.

2) Donkin mine reopens after 2-year closure due to adverse geological conditions. The company had to abandon and forbidden production work on a section of the underground mine due to adverse geological conditions.

3) Donkin mine allowed to reopen after 8 months-long safety closure, Global News.

James Edwards, the Cape Breton Regional Municipality's deputy mayor who represents Donkin, said the list of safety violations reported shouldn't be taken as worrisome to residents in his district, there's nothing that's going to affect the overall safety of the operation. "I still feel that this is and will be, a safe mine." Cape Breton Post

Politicians rejects Community Concerns

Coal Truck Noise and Pollution

Health experts have linked exposure to coal dust to respiratory illnesses. Diesel particulate matter emitted by trucks hauling coal is also associated with pulmonary inflammation, asthma, heart attacks and cancer risk.

• Elected officials have refused resident's numerous requests to hold a public meeting in the community.

Fishermen Protest

• Cape Breton fishermen dig in on barging coal Cape Breton Post. September 20, 2018.

• Cape Breton fishermen protest outside Donkin mine over coal barge plans CBC News. September 18, 2018.

• Fishermen oppose Donkin mine's marine terminal plan CBC News. September 14, 2018.

• Donkin residents raising concerns over popular fishing area Cape Breton Post. October 25, 2017.

• Kameron Coal postpones Donkin seismic testing CBC News. November 17, 2017.

• Donkin Mine column misses the point Cape Breton Post. October 16, 2018.

Contamination of Local Wetlands

Groundwater Contamination . . .

Under fire by Illinois' pollution control agency for failing to adequately address long-standing groundwater problems."

• Mine has groundwater problems in Illinois operation Milwaukee Journal Sentinal. March 6, 2013.

LAND BACK

Land theft is currently driven by an unsustainable, undemocratic, and fatal rush toward mass extinction through extraction, development, and capitalist imperatives. It is further enabled by a racist erasure of Indigenous law and jurisdiction.

Nova Scotia permits mining claims to take place on unceded territories without Indigenous consent.

• In 2022 alone, Nova Scotia government sold 27,000 minerals rights to corporations.

• Mine approvals are provided within 50 days and are not subject to public or Indigenous consultation, and most documents detailing them are not available to the public.

• Nova Scotia does not legislate companies to consider climate change, cumulative effects of a project or impacts on Indigenous peoples and surrounding communities.

The fact that Nova Scotia stills grants mineral claims with total disregard to uphold Indigenous and Mi’kmaq rights and their territories is a damaging relic of colonialism that has no place in the present day.

Self-determination and land back will only be effective, fair, and sustainable if we reverse these trends.

Donkin Keeps laying off Coal Miners

• A few weeks before Christmas, 49 workers laid off Novenber 2017 –– from the weasel words department: Donkin 'makes changes' to its workforce, Cape Breton Spectator.

• Then, 18 workers laid off January 2019 following a roof collapse two weeks earlier, CBC News.

• A year later, 135 workers lost their jobs March 2020 after two roof collapses within two-weeks.

• Recently, over 40 workers laid off August 2023 after two roof collapses within one week.

• Again, before Christmas, the remaining 100 workers were laid off.

Black Lung Disease

Black Lung Disease, "there’s a small resurgence in Canadian coal mining, but with limited data and testing, compensation boards are ill-prepared for the harm to workers’ lungs." Source: The Globe and Mail April 28, 2023.

Unfortunately, the social cost will be absorbed by the public health system –– not the corporation.

Potemkin Liaison Committee

Volunteer Community Member . . . "We have a meeting once maybe every couple of months and they tell us what they want to tell us." Source: Donkin mine fire. Cape Breton Post, May 2, 2023.

Calling for Change

Communities should no longer tolerate . . .

. . . a situation where the public interest is dependent on the greed or goodwill of a small group of privileged politicans.

A transparent separation of light-touch regulation and campaign donations politics would also provide hope that mining in Nova Scotia is inclusive and sustainable.

Calling for change grounded in shared demands for updated environmental laws and industrial approvals, including legally binding environmental assessment requirements for climate change, cumulative effects and impacts on the public.

Bearing Witness

Noise Pollution: Over 1,500 days starting in 2019

May: With only ONE methane exhaust tunnel available, Cline Group's Kameron Coal experiences an underground methane fire. The existing ventilation fans were designed by world-renowned ventilation expert to be able to exhaust a volume of methane gas from TWO exhaust tunnels for the mine's full 30 year lifespan.

August: The coal company installs larger methane ventilation fans. At this time no one is aware that the company had not installed the supplied on-site fan silencers.

October: A resident registers a formal noise complaint to Nova Scotia Environment. A week later, the coal company informs Nova Scotia Environment that the issue is the ventilation fans.

December: Two months transpires and the coal company states that they need to complete a noise review process. The same delay strategy is used throughout the years 2020 and 2021.

2020

January: Nova Scotia Environment receives two additional noise complaints from area residents.

Jan. 31: Nova Scotia Environment (NSE) investigates and acknowledge elevated noise levels emanating from the Donkin mine. Field staff from NSE make an audio recording of elevated mine noise, eight kilometres beyond the coal mine boundary.

Jan. 31: Nova Scotia Environment informs residents that the company did not install the supplied on-site fan silencers. A condition of Cline Group's Kameron Coal industral Approval is that Cline Group senior management obtain approval from the Minister of Nova Environment before implementing any major infrastructure modifications. Why did the Minister grant the approval of the installation of larger fans without installing the fan silencers? Or, like the concealment of six massive rock falls, mine officials concealed that the on-site supplied fan silencers were not installed, breaking a provincial policy.

January 31: Four months have transpired and mine management is now looking into installing the supplied fan silencers.

February 4: Weekend rockfall the 11th at Donkin Mine since 2017. Saltwire.

February 14: Donkin Mine suffers another rockfall, this one during a shift. Saltwire.

March 5: Fan silencers are still not installed and the coal company states that they again have to engaged with a consultant to resolve the noise issue (see above December 2019).

March 30: The Donkin Mine abruptly shuts down operations.

April: Kameron Coal installs shipping containers in front of methane exhausting ventilation fans. The shipping containers are NOT successful in mitigating the noise.

May: The coal company hires a noise monitoring consultant. Mine noise is coincidently not audible on the date noise monitoring takes place.

June: Nova Scotia Environment states they have no regulatory authority to take action. Five months earlier field staff acknowledged elevated noise levels emanating from the Donkin mine eight kilometres beyond the coal mine boundary.

June 9: Municipality Forwarding Donkin Mine Concerns To MLA’s, MP’s. Coast Radio.

From July to October: The Environment Minister responds with repetitive rhetoric and disingenuous statements.

October 26: Community Liaison Committee Investigating Complaints of Noise Levels from Donkin Mine. Saltwire.

November: The Local MLA announces that he has received at least 30 noise complaints from families.

Nov. 19: The coal company again state they need three additional months to get a clearer picture of the noise situation (see above December 2019).

Nov. 23: A few days later, the coal company returns to the strategy of hiring a third party consultant to assist in resolving the noise issue (see above March 5th). It turns out the consulant is an expert in low frequency detection and mitigation.

December: Again, the coal company returns to the strategy of hiring a noise monitoring consultant (see above May 2020). Mine noise is coincidently not audible on the dates noise monitoring take place.

2021

January 6: The Donkin Mine announces to residents via the Community Liaison Committee (CLC) that there is NO mine noise. When asked about the low frequency expert's proposed solution to assist in resolving the noise issue, the Donkin Mine responds by stating they do not have time to work on it.

January 18: The community-based Coalition sends Nova Scotia Environment and the CLC a one-minute long audio file of mine noise recorded seven kilometres from the Donkin Mine with the following narrowband analysis by a noise expert. The noise from the Donkin Mine also contains low-frequency tonal hum and is the worst case they've seen in over 30 years. The tonal hum is at the fan blade pass frequency of 239Hz. The key concern is that the low-frequency tonal hum is 30dB above the mine noise at that frequency. It was also discovered that the tonal variation (beating or modulation) is 20 dB greater above the existing tonal hum. "It is hardly surprising that there are complaints." An email was sent to Nova Scotia Environmenment stating the following . . . the analysis "provides undisputable evidence that the unwanted noise from the Donkin Mine goes way beyond irritating nuisance or annoyance, disrupting sleep and infringes on our right to live and rest in a quiet environment on our property." Nova Scotia Environment remained silent and did not respond back. It turns out, the company did not inform Nova Scotia Environment of the low frequency noise hazard._

January 21: During this meeting the coal company continues to gaslights CLC members by stating to the committee that there is NO mine noise. The committee was still receiving numerous noise complaints from residents before, during and after the Christmas holidays and the New Year. Beside being informed 3 days earlier, the coal company in communication with the low frequency expert for two months, like the concealment of six massive rock falls, failed to inform the CLC or Nova Scotia Environment of the existance of harmful low-frequency tonal hum. It is later revealed that the company's junior engineer hired a noise consultant who placed the noise monitoring station at the engineer's house –– located kilometres beyond the mine boundary and actual concerned families experiencing the noise. For some mysterious reason, the noise consultant invalidates the remaining two monitoring stations. It is later revealed that the noise monitoring was based on dB(A), fundamentally useless to detect harmful low-frequency tones. Any competent noise consultant would have used narrowband analysis to accurately assess tonal levels. Service providers are required by Kameron Coal to sign a non disclosure agreement.

February: Donkin Mine delays indefinitely the low frequency expert's recommendations –– a quick & simple solution requiring only one month for installation. The Donkin Mine resorts to a common extractive industry delaying tactic of "breach of non-disclosure agreement" statement._

April: The coal company arbitrarily announce a new chairperson and committee members without the existing CLC members being aware of the meeting to participate in the vote.

April 21: Noise at Cape Breton mine has residents fuming. Saltwire.

April 26: U.K. company says noise from Donkin Mine at 7 km away worst they’ve seen in over 30 years. Saltwire.

May: The Honourable Keith Irving, Minister of Nova Scotia Environment meets with the Cow Bay Environmental Coalition.

May 21: Cape Breton mine noise pollution needs to stop. Saltwire.

May 25: Community coalition calls on NS’s Environment minister to take action on Donkin Mine noise and methane pollution. Nova Scotia Advocate.

May 30: Donkin mine hum: Community members, MLA Comer say provincial noise guidelines are outdated. Saltwire.

June: We are told again that the Donkin Mine is engaging with a third party consultant to assist in resolving the noise issue. It turns out the consulant is the same low frequency expert engaged back in November 23, 2020.

June: When approached for CLC membership –– the coal company informs the Coalition that it would be a "conflict of interest" and denies CLC membership.

June 9: Noise from Closed Donkin Mine a Concern for Surrounding Residents. The Chronical Herald.

June 11: Idle Donkin Coal Mine Continues to Generate Noise Complaints. CBC News.

July 14: Noise at former Cape Breton mine site needs to be addressed. Saltwire.

August 3: Donkin mine fan noise debilitationg. The Chronical Herald.

September: Donkin Mine announces that they are planning to install a fan muffler system.

September 2: Donkin mine owner to modify noisy ventilation system that's keeping residents awake. CBC News.

September 21: Noise complaint sent to Kameron Coal, no response.

October 7: Noise complaint sent to Nova Scotia Environment, no response.

From October to November: The company contolled CLC remains unavailable to the community. Denying the community's right to be informed.

November 30: Noise complaint sent to Kameron Coal, no response.

December 10: Noise complaint sent to Kameron Coal, no response.

Christmas Holidays: Residents living 3, 5 and 7 Kms from the coal mine experienced adverse levels of noise during the Christmas and the New Year holidays, for the third-year in a row.

2022

January: To escape the harmful low frequency tone and in an attempt to protect their family's health, residents are moving out of the local community. It's poignantly ironic for local residents who revealed the low frequency hazard to Nova Scotia Environment while the coal company with the very same knowledge remain silent for months.

January 6, 15, 16, 17 and 29th: Reporting of health hazard with the provicial website, no response

January 10: Stakeholder meeting to discuss mine noise.

January 13: Noise at former Cape Breton mine still upsetting nearby residents. Saltwire.

January 21: ‘Constant and piercing’: Deadline extended for Donkin Mine muffler installation as noise pollution continues. Saltwire. The low frequency solution easily required only two months –– Kameron Coal still hasn't implemented the solution after 17 months.

February 1: Noise complaint to Kameron Coal, no response

February 11: Installation of fan modifications.

March 1: Coal company states fan modification DOES NOT work. Two years ago, the coal company stated that the shipping containers were NOT successful in mitigating the noise.

March 14: Sleepless in Donkin: Mine's ventilation system still keeping people awake. CBC News.Environment Department declines interview but states "you need to contact the company for further details of their noise mitigation and monitoring."

March 15: ‘We can’t cope’: Community frustrated as Donkin Mine hum continues despite muffler installation. Saltwire.

March 16, 17 and 18th: Noise complaint sent to Kameron Coal, no response

March 18: Nova Scotia Environment issues a directive to Kameron Coal to provide mitigation timeline.

March 19: Noise complaint sent to Kameron Coal, no response

April 2: Kameron Coal unable to provide Nova Scotia Environment with mitigation timeline.

April 19: ‘Enough is enough’: Cape Breton mine noise continues. Saltwire.

April 21: Noise at former Cape Breton mine like ‘torture’. Saltwire.

On April 2022 Morien Resources cautioned that the Donkin Coal mine could close for good. "They need to find financing ... and that is probably not that easy for them to come by overnight." The billionaire owner of the Donkin coal mine is a major shareholder of Morien Resources.

Within 24 hours, Conservative Premier Houston hires former Liberal cabinet minister MacLellan (see photo above) for top job as the Premier's deputy minister. MacLellan has been involved in high-level politics since 2010 and served as Liberal MLA for the Donkin coal mine area from 2010 to 2021.

• MacLellan will report directly to Houston and the two men will work closely together on key intergovernment affairs and trade files.

April 28: Cape Breton mine noise prompts open letter to Nova Scotia premier. Saltwire.

May 31: Community meeting, sixty-one community residents attended.

Sources

Donkin Mine Safety

1) The Donkin mine is a disaster waiting to happen. Halifax Examiner, January 3, 2018.

2) Reboot of underground Cape Breton coal mine runs into trouble amid complaints of unsafe conditions, layoffs. National Post, December 25, 2017.

3) Donkin coal mine fined for safety violations. CBC News, January 19, 2023.

4) Protest held over safety concerns near Donkin mine. CBC News, February 17th 2023.

5) Minister concerned about Donkin Mine safety. Cape Breton Post / Saltwire, March 11, 2020.

6) Threat of closure is best tool to urge roof safety in N.S. coal mine: minister. Canadian Press. February 14, 2019.

7) Province serves Donkin mine operator with series of compliance orders, warnings. CBC News, March 20, 2019.

8) Coal mine is piling up safety warnings. Mining, March 20, 2019.

9) Extremely dangerous’ safety violations. ‘National Observer, February 9th 2023.

10) A year of safety violation. CBC News, May 28, 2018.

11) Checkered safety history National Observer. May 1, 2023.

12) Plenty of Concerns Regarding Donkin Mine Saltwire Atlantic Canada. November 28, 2022.

13) Controversial Cape Breton coal mine eyes possibility of reopening. National Observer. June 29, 2022.

14) Donkin coal mine back in full production? Maybe not. CBC News. May 14, 2019.

15) More warnings, compliance orders. Cape Breton Post. May 3, 2019.

16) Suspensions since approval for limited mining began January 25. Cape Breton Post. March 21, 2019.

17) Donkin Mine says plan revisions submitted, Department of Labour says not yet. CBC News. January 21, 2019.

18) Safety questions arise at struggling Donkin coal mine in Nova Scotia. Canadian Manufacturing. December 11, 2017.

19) Fresh questions about reboot of an underground Cape Breton coal mine. CTV News Atlantic. December 10, 2017.

20) Donkin mine receives several safety orders and warnings. CBC News. August 9, 2017.

21) Mine racks up dozens of safety violations in first few months. CBC News. August 4, 2017.

22) Violations: Failures of ‘Learning? CBC News. August 7, 2017.

23) Justice K. Peter Richard's Report of the Westray Mine Public Inquiry –– The Westray Story: A Predictable Path to Disaster.

Politicians Were Warned

1) Cape Breton’s Invisible Coal Company, Cape Breton Spectator.

2) Investigation: Past safety violations loom large over reopening of Canadian coal mine National Observer. September 15, 2022.

3) Donkin coal mine in Cape Breton to open this summer amid safety concerns from critics. Global News Investigation Team, April 23, 2016.

4) Donkin mine exec quits after Nova Scotia voices safety concerns CBC News. April 15, 2016.

5) Donkin offical with link to Westray-like blast quits CBC News. April 15, 2016.

6) Safety record of Donkin Mine operator causes concerns Nova Scotia Advocate. February 3, 2016.

Ventilation Problems

1) US owner of Donkin mine faces troubled future Nova Scotia Advocate. February 13, 2016.

2) UMWA raises concerns about new owners of Donkin Mine Cape Breton Post. June 11, 2015.

3) Head of Illinois mine safety took thousands in campaign contributions Huffpost. February 10, 2014.

Methane Fire

1) That's all it takes, is one spark.' A year of safety violations at Donkin coal mine CBC News. May 28, 2018.

2) Methane ignites at Cape Breton coal mine rock face Halifax Chronicle Journal. May 22, 2019.

3) Stop work order remains in place as investigators probe fire at Donkin mine CBC News. May 1, 2021.

Belt Fire

1) Fire shuts down Cape Breton coal mine, no injuries reported CBC News. April 30, 2023.

2) Nova Scotia lifts stop-work order on Donkin's underground coal mine CBC News. May 13, 2023.

3) Canada’s only underground coal mine back in production following fire National Observer. May 12, 2023.

Adverse Geological Conditions

1) Concealment of 6 cave-ins at Donkin mine under scrutiny Camstock, 2019.

2) Cape Breton coal mine cited for breaking reporting rules in 'massive' cave-in CTV News Atlantic. February 5, 2019.

3) Donkin coal mine shut down again over reports of rock fall Global News.

4) Cape Breton's idled Donkin coal mine hit by roadway rockfall CTV Atlantic. May 6, 2020.

5) Idled underground coal mine in Donkin suffers another rockfall CBC News. May 5, 2020.

6) Donkin Mine Saga Continues Cape Breton Spectator. April 1, 2020.

7) U.S. mining experts to tour Donkin Mine as concerns mount over rockfalls Cape Breton Post / Saltwire. March 20, 2020.

8) Work resumes at Donkin coal mine after rock fall CBC News. July 16, 2019.

9) Labour department investigating rock fall at Donkin Mine Cape Breton Post / Saltwire. July 10, 2019.

10) Donkin coal mine in Cape Breton hit by another rockfall C BC News. July 8, 2019.

11) Undersea Nova Scotia coal mine resumes partial operations after latest cave-in CTV News Atlantic. January 29, 2019.

12) Nova Scotia keeps Donkin mine closed over concerns about frequency of roof falls CBC News.

13) Letter to Editor: Déjà Vu All Over Again Cape Breton Spectator. March 18, 2020.

14) 'I'm getting kind of tired of hearing that word': retired miner is fed up with rockfalls in Nova Scotia CTV Atlantic. February 17, 2020.

15) Labour Federation says only zero tolerance acceptable with Donkin MIne rockfalls Cape Breton Post / Saltwire. February 20, 2020.

16) Donkin mine suffers another rockfall, this one during a shift Cape Breton Post / Saltwire. February 14, 2020.

17) Second rockfall at Donkin coal mine this month halts production CBC News. February 14, 2020.

18) Cape Breton’s Donkin Coal Mine Reports 11th Rockfall Since 2017 Energy Mix. February 10, 2020.

19) Weekend rockfall the 11th at Donkin Mine since 2017 Cape Breton Post / Saltwire. February 5, 2020.

20) Stop-work order lifted after rockfall at Cape Breton's Donkin coal mine CBC News. February 4, 2020.

21) Nova Scotia’s Donkin mine allowed limited production increase after roof collapse Global News. May 15, 2019.

22) No surprise Donkin mine is subject to rock falls, experts say CBC News. January 4, 2019.

23) Nova Scotia’s Donkin coal mine suspends work after roof collapses Global News. January 3, 2019.

Donkin Keeps Laying Off Workers

1) Donkin mine job fairs despite layoffs CBC News. January 25, 2019.

2) Why sanctions against the Donkin mine's owner are so unusual CBC News. July 26, 2018.

3) Donkin mine punished for violations under temporary foreign worker program CBC News. July 25, 2018.

4) Retired union rep expresses concerns about Donkin mine job losses CBC News. November 13, 2017.

5) Unrest at reopened Cape Breton coal mine raises questions Globe and Mail. December 10, 2017.

6) Forty-nine workers laid off at Donkin Mine Cape Breton Post. November 7, 2017.

7) Donkin coal mine's use of temporary foreign workers questioned by union CBC News. August 30, 2016.

8) Donkin mine company goes to Alberta for workers, urged to hire in Cape Breton< CBC News. January 6, 2016.

Industrial Noise

1) How can you ignore our voices? Cape Breton Post. March 10, 2023.

2) Cape Breton coalition group spokesperson leery of Donkin Mine's industrial approval Saltwire Atlantic Canada. December 6, 2022.

3) These Nova Scotians can hear their neighbour — a coal mine — 8 kilometres away National Observer. September 20, 2022.

4) Donkin mine noise prompts open letter to Nova Scotia premier Saltwire Nova Scotia. April 28, 2022.

5) ‘Enough is enough’: Cape Breton mine noise continues Saltwire Nova Scotia. April 19, 2022.

6) ‘We can’t cope’: Community frustrated as Donkin Mine hum continues despite muffler installation Saltwire Nova Scotia. March 15, 2022.

7) Sleepless in Donkin: Mine's ventilation system still keeping people awake CBC News. March 14, 2022.

8) Constant and piercing’: Noise pollution continues Saltwire Nova Scotia. January 21, 2022.

9) Noise still upsetting nearby residents Saltwire Nova Scotia. January 13, 2022.

10) Donkin mine fan noise debilitationg Saltwire Nova Scotia. August 3, 2021.

11) Noisy ventilation system that's keeping residents awake CBC News. September 2, 2021.

12) Noise needs to be addressed Saltwire Nova Scotia. July 16, 2021.

13) Residents fed up with noise from idled Donkin mine CTV News Atlantic. July 14, 2021.

14) Donkin mine hum Saltwire Nova Scotia. May 30, 2021.

15) Cape Breton mine noise pollution needs to stop Saltwire Nova Scotia. May 21, 2021.

16) Noise at Cape Breton mine has residents fuming Saltwire Nova Scotia. April 21, 2021

Coal Truck Risks

1) Preferred coal routes result in ‘divide and conquer’ tactics in Cape Breton Cape Breton Post. October 28, 2022.

2) Chewed to pieces Cape Breton coalition group calls for changes to current coal transport route Cape Breton Post. March 27, 2023.

3) Reader defends Cape Breton coal truck protesters. Cape Breton Post, May 31, 2023.

4) Trucking from Donkin mine damaging roads Cape Breton Post / Saltwire. March 20th 2023.

5) Coalition group to meet on coal transport, other Donkin Mine-related concerns Cape Breton Post / Saltwire. March 23, 2023.

6) Donkin-Morien residents unhappy with heavy coal truck traffic Cape Breton Post / Saltwire. May 24, 2021.

7) Donkin coal trucks too big for Port Morien-area roads, residents say. CBC News, June 1, 2018.

8) Tired of the Traffic: Community Meeting. Cape Breton Post, May 18, 2018.

9) Safety Concerns: Donkin-Morien residents unhappy with heavy coal truck traffic. Cape Breton Post. May 25, 2017.

10) Residents near Donkin mine unhappy about coal truck traffic. CBC News, May 24, 2017.

11) Safety Concerns: Donkin-Morien residents unhappy with heavy coal truck traffic. Cape Breton Post, May 25, 2017.

12) Port Morien residents want changes to current Donkin Mine coal trucking route Cape Breton Post / Saltwire. February 20, 2020.

13) Pothole-filled highways in Cape Breton to be fixed after coal road, says minister CBC News. January 30, 2020.

14) Donkin Mine's coal trucks a big issue Cape Breton Post. June 1, 2018.

Greenhouse Gas Leak

1) Donkin coal mine reopening would be disastrous for environment Cape Breton Post. August 3, 2022.

2) Kameron Coal's Industrial Approval for Donkin Mine Expires This December Cool Zoom, January 27, 2022.

3) Donkin mine still exceeding greenhouse gas cap 2 years after closing CBC News. August 8, 2022.

4) Donkin mine greenhouse gas emissions should be under cap and trade, experts say CBC News. August 11, 2022.

5) Community coalition calls Environment minister to take action on methane pollution Nova Scotia Advocate. May 25, 2021.

6) Methane fire at Donkin mine leads to stop-work order. CBC News. May 22, 2019.

Land Back

1) Indigenous ceremony at Cape Breton coal mine aims to bring awareness to treaty violations, environmental concerns. Cape Breton Post

2) 'Lithium rush' boosts sales of mineral claims in N.S. CBC News. March 5, 2023.

3) Get with the times, Nova Scotia's old laws can’t keep up. The Narwhal. May 5, 2023.

Coal is Dirtier Than You Think

1) Firm with ties to Donkin mine says future of the facility is uncertain CBC News. April 28, 2022.

2) Premier Houston hires former Liberal cabinet minister for top job CBC News April 27, 2022.

3) Geoff MacLellan’s New Job and Donkin’s Ugly Sibling Cape Breton Spectator. December 7, 2022.

4) Kameron Coal hires former N.S. MLA and gets approval to operate Donkin mine until 2029 National Observer. December 2, 2022.

5) No need to lobby: Newly hired bureaucrats to turn Environmental ‘Assessments’ into Environmental ‘Approvals’ Halifax Examiner. October 25, 2022.

Dirty Laundry

1) Politicians called out for protecting Cape Breton coal mine Cape Breton Post / Saltwire. May 17, 2023.

2) Councilor, how many invisible VPs does one company need? Interesting truth about the way Donkin operates. here and here.

3) Coal Face Cape Breton Spectator. September 16, 2022.

Calling for Change

1) TOM URBANIAK: For the love of Cape Breton, let’s put coal behind us Cape Breton Post / Saltwire.

2) DR. CHRISTIAN EULER: Likely reopening of Cape Breton coal mine a ‘real tragedy’ Saltwire Atlantic Canada. December 1, 2022.

3) Cape Breton University professor delves into social, health effects of Donkin Mine hum Cape Breton Post / Saltwire.

4) Nova Scotia’s Coal Industry Is in Decline. The Province Needs a Green Energy Transition. Jacobin. April, 2020.

5) LETTER: Column about Cape Breton mine 'unfair' and 'insulting', says reader Cape Breton Post / Saltwire. June 7, 2023.

References

• Canadian federal Minister decision and related documents, please visit the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada website here.

• Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency. April 2013. Comprehensive Study Report. Donkin Export Coking Coal Project

• Cape Breton coal mine cited for breaking reporting rules in 'massive' cave-in. February 05, 2019. CBC News.

• Cap-Op Energy Inc. March 2016. GHG Mitigation Options for Underground Coal Mines Report to Nova Scotia Environment.

• CBCL Consulting Engineers. October 2008. Donkin Underground Exploration Volume One Environmental Assessment Report.

• CBRM councillor mentions coal miner fatality during Bob Murphy’s Maritime Noon show that aired September 15, 2022. CBC Live Radio

• Community Liaison Committee (CLC). January 6, 2020. Minutes of Conference Call Meeting.

• Community Liaison Committee (CLC). March 1, 2022. Minutes of Conference Call Meeting.

• Community Liaison Committee (CLC). May 8, 2023. Meeting Minutes.

• Ellen Smith's Summary of MC#1 Violations

• Get with the times, Nova Scotia's old laws can’t keep up.

• Government Hires Safety Prosecutor: 2014. Press Release

• Industrial Noise and Vibration Centre (INVC). 2021. Spectral Analysis Report. Email.

• Justice K. Peter Richard's Report of the Westray Mine Public Inquiry –– The Westray Story: A Predictable Path to Disaster

• Marston Technical Report. November 2012. Donkin Coal Project.

• Nova Scotia issues tender for mine greenhouse gas consultant. January 02, 2016. CBC News.

• Nova Scotia provincial Minister decision and related terms and conditions, please visit the Nova Scotia Department of Environment website here.

• Novus Environmental Inc. August 2014. BLAST Music Event Noise Monitoring Report.

• One Thousand Days and Counting: A report on the social and health impacts of industrial noise from the Donkin Coal Mine in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Barnes, S., & Bate, D. (2023).

• Per Facie Evidence. 2019 & 2020. Audio Recordings of Donkin Mine Noise are Available.

• World Health Organization (WHO). 1995. Community Noise.

• XSTRATA Coal Limited. July 2012. Environmental Impact Statement for the Donkin Export Coking Coal Project.