Donkin Coal Mine

2019 - 2025 . . .

This is the story of

a resilient seaside community on Cape Breton Island,

which became plagued by adverse industrial noise pollution caused by the large ventilation fan(s) located at the Donkin coal mine.

The core of the problem: When the ventilation fan blades rotate, they generating a sound with a consistent and predictable mid-frequency, known as a 'tonal' noise.

Why it matters: People 3, 5, 7 kilometres and beyond the Donkin Mine 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 pollution which some classify as “torture.” Source: Cape Breton Post.

Zoom in: The Nova Scotia government knows about the health risks to the community for over 6-years, and has failed to take action.

• One family, frustrated by government inaction, sold their home and moved from the area because of the adverse noise.

Zoom out: Trust in regulatory agencies often goes unquestioned. Many believe these entities prioritize the public's health.

• However, a deeper examination reveals a terribly unjust story that highlights a disturbing reality of political rhetoric takes precedence over factual evidence and people's well-being.

It is now up to you, to take up your own investigation, to go beyond established narratives, to be moved to your very core on how a vibrant community was intentionly transformed into a marginalized sacrifice zone.

Our Big Story in a Tiny Photograph

Local residents are suffering

Take half a minute or so to listen to the noise in this recording from a resident's property located seven (7) kilometres from the mine's ventilation fans.

Now imagine living with that noise 7 days a week 24 hours a day?

Local residents are experiencing decreased quality of life, noise-induced sleep disturbance as well as mental and physical impairment such as fatigue, irritability, headache, anxiety, and stress causing serious health consequences.

Many residents are suffering with health symptoms, for example: panic attacks, mood alterations, decreased cognitive abilities, ringing of the ears, balance disorders, headaches become more severe, daily fatigue attacks lasting 3-4 hours, premature aging caused by stress, anxiety and depression.

• Local residents are now reaching out to their family doctors.

• Residents are feeling anger, grief, a sense of injustice and feel further victimized by the callus lack of political action to protect community health.

Minister rejects sleep expert's study

Community health warning

Cape Breton University professor delves into social, health effects of Donkin Mine hum Source: Cape Breton Post.

• A report on the social and health impacts of industrial noise from the Donkin Coal Mine by Dr. Sarah Barnes' was based on a community survey that found over 120 local residents were being being affected by the adverse levels of industrial noise.

I knew residents were upset about the noise coming from the mine’s ventilation fans", says Dr. Sarah Barnes, “but meeting with them, and seeing them break down in tears as they describe how the noise is affecting their lives, really drives home what’s at stake here.”

• Shocking to hear these stories. Source: Cape Breton Post.

Minister rejects industrial noise expert's warning

The industrial noise expert's quick evaluation using spectra analysis (see graph above) stated that indeed the Donkin Mine noise was in fact tonal –– a very specific blade-passing frequency (BPF) pure tone and the worst they’ve seen in over 30 years and that any compentent person would expect community complaints.

Co-mingling of strange bedfellows

Structural violence

Former cabinet minister MacLellan (photo above) has been involved in high-level politics since 2010 and served as the MLA for the Donkin coal mine area from 2010 to 2021.

Morien Resources cautioned that the Donkin Coal mine could close for good. The strategy was to dedicate significant resources to lobby for conditions that are favorable to Donkin Mine restarting operations and these efforts targeted government officials. Source: Morien Resources' Corporate Report.

Within 24 hours, the Premier hires MacLellan as the Premier's deputy minister.

The Premier thanks MacLellan for his 7-month service and the billionaire owner immediately hires MacLellan as the vice-president of the Donkin Coal Mine and the Minister grants Donkin mine's industrial Approval.

Local residents were shocked

To learn, contrary to science and expert evidence, dubious corporate-controlled noise monitoring, the antediluvian testing methodology and the bizarre installation of ineffective convention fan dampeners, the Minister's decision on December 2, 2022 was to renew Donkin coal mine's industrial Approval for the next 7-years with the full knowledge that resident's were still suffering from adverse noise emanating from the Donkin Mine.

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

Minister's creditability?

Industrial impunity - deeply complicit

For over 6-years the government continues to hide behind repetitive rhetoric and disingenuous statements, dubious company-controlled audio industrial noise levels and antediluvian testing methodology which fails to protect community health.

• The very institution charged with protecting peoples right to health are not only failing spectacularly to meet that responsibly but are deeply complicit in those violations under the guise of symbolic noise assessments, lax enforcement and outright extractive industry impunity.

Regulatory Capture

The fox guarding the hen house

The Minister's Inspection, Compliance and Enforcement department do not whatsoever undertake inspection or field monitoring of noise infractions –– the regulatory department is a misnomer.

• Under the existing regulatory framework, the company has the ability to police themselves, the power to self-regulate as overtly stipulated within their industrial Approval.

Donkin mine states there is no noise

The company stated to local residents and elected officials, members of the community liaison committee that there was no noise.

Members of the committee responded that they could clearly hear the noise. Source: Community Liaison Committee meeting notes. January 6th and 21st, 2021.

• It was later revealed that the company-hired consultant had placed the noise monitoring equipment at the company staff house where the company's ventilation fan manager resided.

Donkin mine needs to make money first

The company behind the contentious Donkin coal mine had earlier filed for creditor protection. Source: The Narwhal.

Morien Resources cautioned that the Donkin Coal mine could close for good. "They need to find financing." Source: CBC News.

• Donkin mine informs the Community Liaison Committee that they can spend money on the noise issue when they begin to make money.

Political deception

The audibility levels of the industrial noise has been deceptively managed during and throughout company-controlled noise monitoring.

Local resident's requested that the Minister revoke the company's self regulatory reporting under 58(2) of the Environment Act –– the Minister rejects the request.

The provincial regulator states "you need to contact the company for further details of their noise monitoring. Source: CBC News.

Advice for all Nova Scotians

Our story pulls back the curtain on how government and industry view regulation, especially when it concerns public health.

• The government puts the interests of extractive industries ahead of your health and our environment. Do not wait for the environment regulator to protect your health.

A few suggestions . . .

• Do not trust the government, document every correspondence. Eventually, the government will be unable to keep it's facts straight.

• The government will avoid transparency at all costs - expose the false narratives to the public.

• Do not 'appeal' a Minister's decision, it's costly and the justice system is stacked against success.

• Educate yourself, seek independent expert opinion.

• Be prepared to fight for your health and safety, especially if a mine is being proposed in your area.

Our story and the additonal factoids below makes a farce of the idea that there is functional independent regulation of the mining industry in Nova Scotia.

A must watch 20 minute video.

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 (NDA) with the company and agreed not to talk to the media, Source: CBC Canada.

“It’s just a matter of time before somebody gets injured or killed”. Source: Nova Scotia Advocate.

Local official says not to worry.

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." Source: Cape Breton Post.

Interesting truth about the way Donkin operates

Media coverage may not have answered all the pertinent questions but it revealed an interesting truth about the way Donkin operates. Source: Cape Breton Spectator, May 3, 2023.

A coal miner fatality occurred.

Donkin Mine announces to the community liaison committee that a 35-years-old employee passed away on Friday September 9th. The incident occurred at the Donkin mine on Thursday September 8th.

• There is no mention of the incident occurring within the Freedom of Information documents –– no mention of Labour department mine inspector investigation.

• No stop-work order issued –– no public statement issued –– complete silence.

A coal miner injury occurred.

A few weeks later, Labour department mine inspectors only became aware of the Oct. 5, 2022 incident because the local police reported to the Labour department. Source: National Observer.

• Provincial mine inspectors requested the company provide a report.

A dangerous underground conveyor belt fire occurred.

A conveyor belt fire is a significant and substantial hazard due to the likelihood that it would result in injury of a serious nature –– a violation of safety standards.

• NS government should research US occurrence, same mine operator.

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

• Donkin's main water line shut down the previous shift, a dangerous belt fire, a stop work order issued, threat of smoke inhalation, carbon monoxide poisoning, explosion causing death and mine officials sent workers into the mine.

Arriving the day after, provincial mine inspectors ordered the company to provide a report on the fire. Source: CBC News

• The Labour department had no way to independently verify the real cause of the underground fire.

Nova Scotia department of Labour stated that the fire was caused by an overheated ball bearing that ignited the conveyor belt. Source: CBC News

• Donkin official states "bearings were fine . . . it is important to come to some conclusion and obviously something caused it. We don’t know." Source: CLC Meeting Minutes, May 2023.

• No compliance orders or penalties were imposed by the Labour department. Source: CBC News and National Observer.

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

Power outages, ventilation fans stop working

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.

"The government has no way to independently verify."

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.

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.

Methane fire

The Donkin coal mine is known to be higher in methane production than other underground coal mines.

• A methane fire occurred at the Donkin Coal Mine. Source: CBC News. and Halifax Chronicle Journal

After the methane fire, Donkin Mine broke a provincial regulation by not reporting the installation of larger ventilation fans to the Minister.

• It was later revealed that the on-site conventionql fan dampeners where not installed. No penalties were imposed.

Multiple safety closures

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

Two: 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.

Three: Donkin mine allowed to reopen after 8 months-long safety closure, Global 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.

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.

Get the risk to workers to an "acceptable" level

• A shocking statement, a briefing note to the Minister –– get the risk to workers to an "acceptable" level. CBC News.

• Four years ealier, in July 9, 2019, a roof collapse significantly blocks access to Cape Breton coal mine.

A report found that humidity was a key factor in rock falls in the Donkin mine, which Nauss said was new information to the department.

• After 32 rockfalls, multiple consultant's report, a simple internet search by the provincial regulator would reveal that humidity is a key factor in coal mine rockfalls.

Premier meets mine officials

Within the previous 18 months the following occurred:

A coal miner death and the police reported a roof bolter injury –– both the coal mine death and injury occurred within the first month. Also, a dangerous underground belt fire and two major rockfalls within a week.

The Premier called mine officials Friday night and said he would clear his schedule to meet with them. The meeting took place December 7, 2023. Source: Cape Breton Post.

• Three weeks later, Donkin Mine can reopen the mine again. Source: Global News. December 27, 2023.

Methane leaks from dormant coal mine

Over 3.52 million tonnes greenhouse gases emissions.

The Nova Scotia government likes to call itself a climate leader but in reality it's a rogue super-emitter of greenhouse gas. "Donkin coal is known to be higher in methane production than other underground coal mines." Source: CBC News. May 22, 2019.

• A must watch two minute CBC News video.

Extraction of coal from the Donkin mine will produce 3.52 million tonnes of CO2e 20yr greenhouse gas emissions, and burning the coal at the local Nova Scotia Power Generation plant is another matter. Source: Climate Trace Global Emissions Map

• This figure is misleading, it's based on a technical report years before the Donkin Mine started production. Roughly, it's a crude estimate.

Part of the problem is that methane emissions have long gone undercounted — Donkin Mine may be emitting up to three times the amount of methane estimated in records they provide to provincial regulators. Under the Houston administration, Donkin coal mine could be exempt from having to provide any real methane emission records at all.

• "Methane emissions from coal mines are approximately 50% higher than previously estimated... In a media statement, Nazar Kholod, lead author of the study, explained that when a closed mine is flooded, water stops methane from leaking almost completely within about seven years. But when an abandoned mine is closed without flooding, as many are, methane leaks into the air for decades." Source: Abandoned coal mines emit more methane than previously thought

Cap-and-trade smoke and mirrors

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

• Future profits depend heavily on the ability of the coal industry to avoid carbon emissions regulations.

In 2024, the Donkin mine was exempt from paying the $80 per ton polluter-pay carbon emission tax –– an annual multi-million dollar corporate axe-the-carbon tax break.

Acid mine containment failure

Before

After

Wetland contamination with heavy metals

• The highly acidic soup eventually reaches the wetlands is heavily laden with metals.

• Acid mine drainage, “almost impossible to fix and it lasts forever."

Minister rejects community concerns

For over 7-years . . .

• Reader defends Cape Breton coal truck protesters. Source: Cape Breton Post, May 31, 2023.

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

• Tired of the Traffic: Community Meeting. Source: Cape Breton Post, May 18, 2018.

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

• Residents near Donkin mine unhappy about coal truck traffic. Source: CBC News, May 24, 2017.

A Parade of Misery

Donkin Mine Keeps Laying Off Workers

1. Forty-nine (49) workers laid off Novenber 2017. Nova Scotia Business Minister (MacLellan) stated that . . . "this isn't a sign of worse things to come. Source: CTV News

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

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

4. Thirty-seven, 37 workers laid off August 2023 after two roof collapses within one week –– July 9th & July 15th, 2023. The enormous July 15th roof fall was 50 feet long, 15 feet wide and 3 feet in height. Source: Chronicle Herald

5. A few months later, all 135 workers had lost their jobs, again.

LAND BACK

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.

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.

Keep a low public profile

While exercising power over government

The billionaire owner was a major supporter of the Republican Party.

• He gave $1 million dollars to Mr Trump's inauguration committee in 2017, and as a prolific supporter of the Republican party according to data from OpenSecrets.

This isn’t Cline’s first big political donation.

• Using a shell corporation that’s not easily traced, gave the camouflaged $1 million donation to Right to Rise, a super-PAC supporting Jeb Bush’s presidential campaign. Source: Hidden $1 Million bet on Jeb. Bloomberg News.

• Contributions to another super PAC supporting Florida Sen. Marco Rubio’s (R) according to The New York Times.

• Three of Cline’s companies contributed a combined total of more than $1.5 million to Illinois politicians. Source: Wisconsin Resource Protection Council, June 4, 2015.

Dark money got mining company what it wanted

One of his companies gave $700,000 to a conservative nonprofit, the Wisconsin Club for Growth, an organization directed by an advisor to the governor’s campaign.

• The nonprofit worked to pass a state law to speed up the process of granting iron mining permits. Source: Dark Money Got A Mining Company What It Wanted. ProPublica. Oct 14, 2014.

Mine safety regulator took campaign cash

A political committee controlled by one of the state’s top mining regulators accepted thousands of dollars in campaign contributions.

• The contributions may have been illegal under a state law regarding official misconduct. Source: Mine safety regulator took campaign cash By Patrick Yeagle. Illinois Times. February 20, 2014.

Communities should no longer tolerate

Bearing Witness

Noise Pollution: Over 2,100 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.

July 4: Billionaire owner of Donkin Mine died in a helicopter crash en route to Florida from the Bahamas. Prior to Mr. Cline’s tragic death, through an affiliate, sold a majority ownership interest in Foresight Energy, a publicly listed coal company with assets in the Illinois Basin, for more than $1.4 billion. Mr. Cline and his family trusts (through CTC) used a portion of their share of the proceeds to fund the acquisition and development of the Vista Coal Mine Project and the Donkin Mine.

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.

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 (NSE) department acknowledged that an engineer and compliance officer could clearly hear the noise from as far away as approximately 8 kilometres from the mine’s boundary. A video / audio clip was also recorded by the department. It was recommended that the department have that audio clip undergo a spectral analysis.

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.

Important: It was later revealed that conventional fan silencers are ineffective in mitigating tonal noise at the blade passing frequency. See Nov. 19 below.

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 13-14th: 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.

June 18: Sierra Club Canada sends letter in support to Federal Ministers regarding adverse noise. Copy on file.

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. 9: "It’s unbelievable that this noise issue from the Donkin Mine is still outstanding from our original complaint registered with your office over a year ago, on October 2, 2019." Email sent to Nova Scotia Environment and the local MLA.

Nov. 19: The company informed the community liaison committe that to install fan silencers would cost $300,000 and they may not work. Donkin Mine was aware that conventional silencers are unable to attenuate the harmful fan blade-passing pure tone(s), that is why they didn’t install the conventional silencers as originally conveyed to the Minister.

• An industrial noise expert (wilson) had previously reached out to the company - later informs local residents that the adverse noise source was most likely the blade pass frequency. The coal company again stated they need three additional months to get a clearer picture of the noise situation (see above December 2019). Source: CLC Meeting Minutes.

• City councillor informs that he heard the resident's recorded audio file of Donkin mine's ventilation fans and stated that "the noise was very loud" – the resident resides approx. 7-kilometres from the coal company ventilation fans. The coal company informs liaison committee members that they are going to undertake a noise monitoring study for the next two weeks.

Nov. 24: Corporate-controlled noise monitoring study begin date –– mysteriously it is completely silent throughout the day and evening throughout the following two-weeks.

Nov. 25 & 26th: Again, no audible noise experienced by local residents.

Nov. 27 & 28th: Again, no audible noise.

• November 27, 2020 email message sent to an elected official... “It’s ironic that one of the quietest weeks we have experienced in the past 12 months coincides with the week that the Mine is performing noise monitoring tests.”

Nov. 29 and 30th: No audible noise.

Dec. 1st and 2nd: No noise.

Dec. 3rd and 4th: No noise.

Dec. 5th and 6th: Again, no noise.

Dec. 7th and 8th: Again, no noise.

Dec. 9th: Company ends noise monitoring during the day.

• The adverse industrial noise returns with a vengence the evening of December the 9th - the same day the company-controlled noise monitoring ended.

• It is later revealed that the company-hired consultant placed the monitoring station at the company staff house where the ventilation fan manager resided. See above, May 13-14th –– the same company-hired consultant said that there was no noise emanating from the Donkin Mine.

2021

January 5: Disruption of sleep – continuous noise throughout the day.

January 6: Disruption of sleep – continuous noise throughout the day.

January 6: The Donkin Mine announces to residents via the Community Liaison Committee (CLC) that there is NO mine noise. When asked about the company's UK-based 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 7th: Disruption of sleep. Adversely loud during the day overcoming a strong NW wind, rain and ocean waves.

January 8th & 9th: Disruption of sleep – three audio samples of adverse noise is recorded.

January 10, 11 & 12th: Disruption of sleep continues.

January 13th: Awakened at 3 AM –– audio recording of adverse industrial tonal noise archived at 6 AM.

January 13th: Noise complaint email message sent to Nova Scotia Environment, elected officials and the coal company. No response.

January 18: The community-based Coalition sends Nova Scotia Environment and the Community Liaison Committe (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 mid-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 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." said industrial noise expert (wilson).

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 tonal noise at blade pass frequency health 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 industrial noise expert (wilson) during the previous two months, like the concealment of six massive rock falls, failed to inform Nova Scotia Environment or the community liaison committee of the existance of harmful blade pass frequency tonal hum.

• It is later revealed that the company's junior engineer hired the first noise consultant (tunni) who placed the noise monitoring station at the engineer's house –– located kilometres beyond the mine boundary and actual concerned local residents actually experiencing the advers industrial noise.

• It is later revealed that the noise monitoring was based on dB(A), fundamentally useless to detect harmful pure tones at the blade pass frequency. Any competent noise consultant would have used narrowband analysis to accurately assess tonal levels. Service providers are required by the coal company to sign a non disclosure agreement.

February: Donkin Mine delays indefinitely the low frequency expert's recommendations. The Donkin Mine resorts to a common extractive industry delaying tactic of "breach of non-disclosure agreement" statement._

February 17: Requested a full review based on INVC’s narrowband frequency analysis guidance to the Executive Director of the Inspection, Compliance and Regulatory branch of Nova Scotia Environment. Source: email dated February 17, 2021.

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 14: Beleaguered coal company Coalspur Mines Ltd received an ominous letter –– The company’s credit cards were cancelled, effective immediately.

May 14: Local respected resident sent the following email message to the Environment Minister... "Over the last year, I have frequently been awakened by the noise from the large fans used by Kameron Coal Management Limited (KCML) to expel the dangerous methane gas from the Donkin Mine. Some of my neighbours in the village have been affected as well. Experts say that low frequency noise emitted from the fans increases as it travels through water. The noise pollution has been particularly bad recently. I can hear it day and night in my house. On two nights in particular recently, it has deprived me of sleep and it has done so frequently over the past year."

May 21: "Last night and in the early hours of May 21st, it was so loud that ear plugs did not reduce the noise". Local resident's email sent to Nova Scotia Environment department. This family eventually moved out of the community due to the adverse industrial noise.

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

May 21: "As per the Minister’s instruction I’m emailing you in regards to the pernicious levels of noise emanating from the Donkin Mine during the early morning hours of May 21, 2021. Contrary to Kameron Coal’s misguided assertions - the winds are presently heading towards the mine site at 22 kms from the SW away from our home." Email sent 7:23 am to Malcolm MacNeil at Nova Scotia Environment.

May 22: Community support expressed through email portal.

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

May 26: Regarding the December 2020 noise monitoring, Nova Scotia Environment is informed of industrial noise expert (wilson) feedback that: 1) Overall, dB(A) readings tell you nothing about tonal content; 2) Octave bands can sometimes provide a hint that there might be a tone, but are fundamentally useless for that purpose; 3) The only accurate way to assess tones is to use narrowband analysis. This provides objective results that match the subjective impact. In summary: dB(A) noise surveys do not detect tones. Octave bands are often used in conjunction with the overall dB(A), but they also do not detect tones except in specific extreme cases where they might indicate that a tone was present, but there would be no proof that was the case. Narrowband frequency analysis is the only way to provide accurate, objective evidence of tonal noise.

May 27: The noise was relentless for over 30 hours with intense modulations. Senior staff at Nova Scotia Environment were notified by email of the noise complaint.

May 28: Nova Scotia Environment responds back by stating that the company is "in compliance with our noise regulations and therefore we have no authority to require them to take additional action".

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 industrial noise expert (Wilson) engaged back in November 23, 2020.

Important: It is later revealed that the coal company had the noise consultant sign a non disclosure agreement. Local residents and Nova Scotia Environment now both had limited access to the industrial noise expert.

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

June 9: The following email message was forwarded to elected officials... "during the weekdays the mine noise becomes elevated during evening hours, between 8-10 PM. Runs throughout the night and early morning hours disturbing sleep and fades into the morning background after running approximately 12 hours. This pattern has been quite consistent for months now. Any noise complaint visits you might consider to local residents during the day might be frustrating".

June 9: The following email message was sent to senior staff within Nova Scotia Environment... "spent the entire weekend bombarded by the low frequency noise coming from the ventilation fans at the Donkin Mine. Three sleepless nights and two long suffering days. It has been two years in which the residents living along Morien Bay have been suffering from this noise pollution. More than 50 noise complaints have been sent by the families of Morien Bay".

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

June 9: Approached our local MLA, a member of the community liaison committee to obtain a copy of November/December company-controlled noise monitoring report. It is now Oct. 2025 and local residents are still waiting to receive the report.

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

June 11: Another local respected resident sent the following email message to Nova Scotia Environment... "After the last 3 sleepless nights in my home I find it necessary once again to emphasize my frustration".

June 14: Nova Scotia department was informed that the department’s audio file of the Donkin mine noise (see Jan. 31, 2020) was analyzed by an expert sound engineer using spectral analysis and assertained that the adverse tonal noise emanating from the mine was 20 decibels above ambient levels.

• A resident requested an investigative review for the December 2020 company-controlled noise monitoring survey. Residents with are fed up with the repetitious gaslighting statements such as “the noise from the fans does not exceed the natural noises in the area". No response from Nova Scotia Environment.

June 14: Local residents sent email message to NSE stating, "awoken by mine noise at 4:45 AM and endured adverse noise levels for the next 24 unrentless hours within the our home."

June 21: Elizabeth May, MP sends letter to Federal Ministers. Copy on file.

June 23: Under section 58(2) of Nova Scotia’s Environment Act, the Minister has discretion to amend or add a term or condition to an industrial approval like that of the Donkin Mine. The Act states: 58 (2) The Minister may amend a term or condition of, add a term or condition to or delete a term or condition from an approval (a) if an adverse effect has occurred or may occur.

June 29: Local residents are informed that the mine and the company from the U.K. are in active negotiations of terms and conditions regarding fan modifications. It will be another 7-months before the installation of fan modifications. Another additional year later, it will eventually be discovered to be non-effective. The whole process was over 2-years and a complete failure.

July 13: Significant conversation about the adverse coal mine noise on local resident facebook page. Numerous residents share their negative experience with the noise and we discover that it is impacting many more people.

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

Important-July 14th: MP Mike Kelloway agrees to ask Premier Rankin to meet with us the next time he (the Premier) is in Cape Breton. Six weeks later, Premier Tim Houston sworn into office.

July 14: Residents fed up with noise from idled Donkin mine. By Ryan MacDonald, CTV News.

July 15: Respected community elder writes another letter to the Premier.

July 16th: Donald James, Executive Director of the Mines Branch informs local residents that he has been asked by the Premier to call us and find a solution to the problem.

July 19th: With all the media coverage, local residents start reporting that the mine noise has been quiet for a few days.

July 26th: Deputy Minister of Environment informs our local MLA that "the mine was operating below approved noise criteria" and the government isn't able to discuss specifics with the company's industrial noise consultant because of signing of non-disclosure agreement.

• The Minister had received vehement noise complaints from residents — common sense would suggest noise guidelines are significantly exceeded.

• It is revealed that the company is seeking a performance based contract suggesting they are not confident of the fix.

July 29th: "Your department is aware that we are dealing with harmful low-frequency noise that can penetrate prevailing seasonal winds, harsh weather systems from whatever direction, travel great distances and penetrate windows and walls of homes. Your department is also aware that two audio files (one from your department and one from us) sent to the UK company, Industrial Noise & Vibration Centre (INVC), was analyzed and the results confirmed that the tonal hum was 20 to 30dB above background. Above background means above and beyond the actual fan noise that we hear. It means that the noise"... "is above approved noise criteria... "requesting that your office hold KCML accountable to resolve this issue swiftly and put an end to the adverse health effects that the families of Morien Bay have had to endure for over two years. Community response to Deputy Minister's letter dated July 26th.

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

August 9th: Letter to Premier Rankin to hold the coal company accountable.

August 31: Premier Tim Houston sworn into office. The Canadian Press.

Important It is later revealed that the Premier also holds the title of Regulatory Affairs Minister.

August 31: Email sent to Chair of Community Liaison Committee -- no response.

September 1st: Donkin Mine announces that they are have agreed to fix the noise problem.

• It is later revealed that it was the ineffective convention fan silencers -- see November 19, 2020 above. A bit of history, the coal company installed larger fans after an methane fire. They had the conventional silencers on site but didn't not install. Instead they placed shipping containers in front of the industrial fans. That failed. The company then states that the fan silencers are no longer on site. The company then stalls over 2-years with 'fan modifications' that also eventually failed. It is now October 2025 and the local residents can confirm that conventional fan silencers are ineffective.

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

September 2: Donkin Mine to install muffler system for fans after two-year noise pollution saga. By:Jessica Smith, Saltwire News.

September 7: Concern citizen(s) held a meeting at the community hall from 6:30 to 8 PM.

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

October 5th: The noise from the Donkin Mine has been sleep-disrupting and intrusive for the past 4 nights and three days. After my September 24 email, the mine noise was less intrusive and it was intermittent for 7 days but as of Friday evening, the intensity and consistency of the noise has been unacceptable. Email sent NS Environment Department.

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

From October to November: The company-contolled community liaison committee remains unavailable to the community, denying the community's right to be informed.

October 9th: A group of concerned citizens came together to form the Cow Bay Environmental Coalition (CBEC). The goal of our coalition is to advocate for responsible environmental practices that will ensure resolution to issues arising from the Donkin Mine. (Website: www.gobsmack.org)

November 9th: "For five nights and mornings, we have had to endure the low frequency noise emanating from the gassy Donkin Coal Mine. It has been two months since the company announced that they had entered into a performance-based contract with INVC. It has been one month since we had an update from your department. Meanwhile, we continue to lose sleep and our health is being compromised by the low frequency noise emanating from this mine." Email message sent to senior staff at Environment department and elected officials.

November 9th: "Enough delays-someone is accountable and someone has to act". Email message sent to elected officials.

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

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

December 10: Local resident's comment... "Mine woke me up at 2:35 am this morning & couldn't get back to sleep. Had to go to work tired - 6 am dayshift."

December 27th: "Kameron Coal knew years ago when these massive fans replaced smaller ones that noise would be an issue. They chose to ignore this until complaints rose to a level that could no longer be ignored. Several months ago, they assured us a “fix” would be installed by Dec (2021). This still has not happened." Local resident's email message to Environment department, elected officials and local media.

December 29th: "I have found the hum terrible in the last 6 days and noticed changes in my own health." Eventually this family would sell their house and move from the area.

December 29th: Info sheet regarding the health symptoms one can experience when exposed to low-frequency noise was forwarded to the community.

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.

• Numerous families were forced to seek alternative accommodations over the Christmas holidays.

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

January 7th: "If someone outside the area wants to experience what we are suffering from, I’ll gladly invite you to spend an afternoon at my kitchen table. Or better still, have a sleep over without the sleep".

January 7th: "You're being deprived of something as basic as being able to sleep in your home. Why"?

January 10: Local residents meeting to discuss mine noise.

January 11: "It seems to me that Nova Scotia Environment the very institution charged with protecting our right to health are not only failing spectacularly to meet that responsibility but are deeply complicit in those violations".

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

January 13: "The government’s self-serving regulatory policies have been reduced to aiding and abetting private interests while claiming to serve the public. We are no longer willing to wait weeks or months, the status quo is unacceptable –– make provision for extensive public scrutiny". Source: Cow Bay Environmental Coalition (local residents).

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.

Health Warning: "Local resident’s health is deteriorating quickly due to long-term exposure to adverse industrial acoustics emanating from the Donkin Mine". Health warning sent to senior staff at Nova Scotia Environment.

January 22: Cape Breton faculty reaches out regarding the social dimensions of sleep and marshalling evidence to support progressive agendas on sleep, well-being, and social justice.

February 1: Noise complaint to coal company - no response received.

February 11: Installation of fan modifications.

February 15: Noise complaint to all levels of government, municipal, provincial and federal.

February 16 (Health Warning): "The Minister should not underestimate the significant long-term accumulative negative health effects recognized by the World Health Organization of exposing residents to low frequency noise."

• Bullshit explanation from company and Nova Scotia Enviroment. Correspondence is archived.

February 22nd: Meeting of concerned citizens.

February 28nd: Email message sent to Associate Deputy Minister of Environment.

• Requested that the government issue an immediate DIRECTIVE to coal company, instructing the company to INVESTIGATE and MITIGATE within 90 days the tonal noise that continues to emanate from the Donkin coal mine.

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 1: Community Liaison Committee meeting.

• Community request for copy of noise monitoring report are ignored.

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 received.

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 received.

March 28: Letter sent to Iain Rankin, Keith Irving, cc'd Julia Towers, Jason Hollett, Brian Comer, Mike Kelloway, Jonathan Wilkinson, James Edwards.

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 6: Company's ventilation manager (junior engineer) informs the Community Liaison Committee that the noise is not coming from the motor, it’s coming from the fan blades which alters the tone of the fan. Source: CLC Meeting Minutes.

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

May: Community undertakes an informal survey –– 1/4 of the population is being adversely effected.

May 4: Company's ventilation manager (junior engineer) informs the Community Liaison Committee that the excessive noise is being created by the speed of the blade tips moving though the air. “We may not have to increase the speed”. “We would have to turn them up”. “In this situation “turning them up” refers to increasing the angle (pitch) of the fan blades.” Source: CLC Meeting Minutes.

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

June 1: Adverse noise started up at exactly at 8:30 PM and continued throughout the night and early morning hours disturbing sleep. Email message was sent to Nova Scotia Environment.

June 2: A audio recording of the adverse industrial noise emanating from the Donkin Mine was forwarded to senior staff at Nova Scotia Environment. "Please note that the wind is not a factor. In fact, the wind is out of the SW @ 20 KM creating a headwind for the noise."

June 8: Donkin Mine again states that conventional silencers reduce some of the noise, but they will not eliminate all the noise. Source: CLC Meeting Minutes. June 8, 2022.

June 15: Second modification installed.

June 15-29: It’s quiet from June 15th to 29th

June 29: Company-controlled noise monitoring completed –– adverse noise resumes after the 29th.

June 29: Sierra Club Canada Donkin mine press release and factsheet. Copy on file.

July 5: Fifteen (15) community residents rally peaceful at the mine gate to express outrage of noise being silent during company-controlled noise monitoring, only to return once monitoring was completed.

July 5: Company's ventilation manager (junior engineer) states the drawback with installing the silencers is that it restrict the flow of air resulting in the fans having to be turned up. Source: CLC Meeting Minutes.

July 5: Manager and Vice President of Underground Operations at Donkin Mine stated; silencers decrease the noise but do not eliminate it. Source: CLC Meeting Minutes. July 5, 2022.

July 21: Claudia Chender and environment critics request bring forward the issues of the mine noise to legislative sitting.

July 21: Letter forwarded via email to Federal Minister Guilbeault to address mine noise. Copy on file.

August 5: Received an email from Environment department regarding: conducting a low frequency noise monitoring study to support the development of updated guidelines.

August 30: Company's ventilation manager (junior engineer) explained to the Community Liaison Committee that if we cannot modify the existing ventilation underground, we may have to increase the pitch of the blades. Source: CLC Meeting Minutes.

• UK-based acoustic expert at the Industrial Noise and Vibration Centre (INVC) states: “On variable pitch fans, the blade pass tone could vary dramatically with pitch, from virtually nothing (very little flow) to a high amplitude tone (and harmonics - high flow), all with the fan running at the same speed.”

Sept. 22: Nova Scotia Power considers buying Donkin coal. Source: CBC News.

November 10th: MacLellan served as Premier's deputy minister since April, today was his last day.

November 16th: Premier thanks MacLellan for service. Source: Premier's Office

November 21st: Nova Scotia’s Air Quality Unit manager releases a non-technical summary.

November 28th: Coal company's ventilation manager reports to the Community Liaison Committee (CLC) that they received a noise complaint. In addition, a resident CLC member mentions to the committee that they too have received three noise complaints. Source: CLC Meeting Minutes.

December 2nd: With full knowledge that residents were still suffering the Minister goes ahead and grants Industrial Approval Renewed for Donkin Mine Source: Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change Press Release.

December 3rd: The Minister fails to release his decision on December 3rd –– instead it's released during the Xmas holidays. Resident's only had 7-days to submit an Appeal.

December 28th: Just weeks after the Industrial Approval was granted both the company and the Minister's Administrator received a community noise complaint. Source: email dated December 29, 2022.

December 29th: Community noise complaint submitted to the company and the Minister's Administrator. Source: email dated January 11, 2023

December 31: Community noise complaint submitted to the company and the Minister's Administrator. Source: email dated January 11, 2023

2023

January 1: Community noise complaint submitted to the company and the Minister's Administrator. Source: email dated January 11, 2023

January 4: Community noise complaint submitted to the company and the Minister's Administrator. Source: email dated January 11, 2023

January 8: The company's vice-president of administration, replies quote: “there were no changes”. Source: email

January 11: Community noise complaint submitted to the company and the Minister's Administrator. Source: email dated January 11, 2023

January 17: The Minister's Administrator was informed that local residents organized another community rally at the mine gates to speak out about the mine’s ability to manipulate noise levels and the government’s negligence in allowing this to happen, the dangerous trucking of coal, and the mounting number of mine safety violations. Source: email dated January 17, 2023.

January 19: Resident's noise complaint submitted the Minister's Administrator and the Minister of Mental Health. Both had full knowledge of harmful adverse effect to residents. The provincial regulatory continue to remain silent and unwilling to protect human health. Source: email dated January 23, 2023

January 21: Resident's noise complaint submitted the Minister's Administrator and the Minister of Mental Health. The provincial regulatory continue to remain silent and unwilling to protect human health. Source: email dated January 23, 2023

January 23: Resident's noise complaint submitted the Minister's Administrator and the Minister of Mental Health. The provincial regulatory continue to remain silent and unwilling to protect human health. Source: email dated January 23, 2023

January: Donkin Mine Racks Up More Safety Violations Source: Cape Breton Spectator.

January 29: Sleep: A Human Right, The Adverse Effects of Industrial Noise Appeal submitted to Minister.

March 7: The Environment Minister's releases's decision to reject Appeal to industrial Approval. Many are directly impacted by the Minister's decision. Our health, wellbeing, and even ability to sleep in our homes is being disregarded. The Minister's letter also casted doubt on resident's experiences and expertise shared, and in many cases denies the validity based on what Donkin mine company says otherwise.

March 17: The Environment Minister's releases's decision to reject Sierra Club Canada's Appeal to the industrial Approval.

March 29: The provincial Minister of Communications (our MLA) undertook a public smear campaign during the Appeal process.

May 1: Underground fire prompts shutdown at coal mine with checkered safety history Source: National Observer.

May 8: CLC members were introduced to Anthony Webb, Senior Vice President of Operations for KCML

June 22: Cape Breton University professor delves into social, health effects of Donkin Mine hum Source: Cape Breton Post.

June 23: Shocking to hear these stories Source: Cape Breton Post.

July 18: Podcast regarding Donkin mine noise study with Mainstreet Cape Breton by Wendy Bergfeldt, CBC.

2024

March 7: It’s 3:15 AM on Thursday March 7, 2024, a atop the Donkin mine noise email is sent to Nova Scotia Environment.

March 7: The local Nova Scotia Environment reaches out requesting written permission to have the company-hired consultant (tunni) assess the noise at our property. Please reference Nov. 24 to Dec. 9th 2020. Also, January 1st to 21st, 2021 (see above). Nova Scotia Environment requests that we respond by March 14th, stating that they wanted to capture a specific weather system with winds from the north. The prevailing winds are from the southwest and west – local residents are located downwind and Nova Scotia Environment wanted a very specific weather system for the proposed noise monitoring study.

March 11th: Local residents request further information required with making an informed decision.

November 6: LETTER: Cape Breton coal mine humming noise still a problem. Source: Cape Breton Post (Saltwire).

2025

January 15: Online reporting of a health hazard that is presently occurring in the Port Morien area, including Long Beach Road and South Head via the Provincal Health Hazard portal.

January 24: Residents are notified by NSE Sydney office staff that they will no longer be communicating with residents until permission is granted for company-controlled noise monitoring to occur 7-kilometers from the mine's property boundary.

January 24: "Unfortunately your Department continues to avoid all attempts towards open dialogue to address community concerns that would facilitate resolution." Letter sent to Adrian Fuller. Copy on file.

February 11: The Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology. Noise: a public health problem. Jamie L. Banks and Elaine A. Cohen. 35:1-2, February 11, 2025.

February: Noise pollution at Cape Breton mine being ignored. Source: Cape Breton Post (Saltwire).

February: "The government's silence, false narrative and inaction is indefensible—a reckless disregard of your social responsibility to protect public health." Letter sent to Premier's office. Copy on file.

February 25: The Health Impact of Neglecting Donkin Mine's Noise Pollution Source: Atlantic Canada Climate Network.

February 28: ‘We have the right to have a safe and healthy environment, where the impact of industrial activity doesn’t harm us,’ Source: Cape Breton Post (Saltwire).

March 4: Kendra Coombes, NDP confronts Minister, "Will this government stop the noise from Donkin Mine?" Source: NDP Youtube Channel.

March 5: Local resident speaks at the pro-democracy rally in Halifax about Donkin mine noise.

March 5: Cape Breton protesters tired of mining noise preventing sleep Source: Frequency News.

March 13: Local residents rally at NSE Sydney branch office –– broadcasting mine noise from loudspeaker.

March 14: Stop the noise at Donkin mine featured within Ecology Action Centre eNews.

March 20: Local residents rally at Nova Scotia Environment's Sydney branch office –– local residents broadcast mine noise from loudspeaker.

March 20: Photograph of local resident with 'Stop Noise' sign is featured within Chronicle Herald newspaper.

March 23, 25, 26, 27, 28: Local residents living kilometres from the Donkin mine experienced sleep disturbance noise.

March 28: The following noise complaint was sent by a local resident to MP Mike Kelloway, MLA Brian Comer, Councilor Steven MacNeil and the Minister's administrator Malcolm MacNeil: "I was unable to sleep IN MY OWN BEDROOM last night due to the industrial noise emanating from the Donkin Mine. I LIVE 7 KILOMETRES AWAY FROM THE DONKIN MINE!! For the Minister to insinuate that the Donkin Mine is in compliance with their industrial Approval is shameful duplicity.

April 11: Community meeting to discuss on-going Donkin Mine tonal fan noise.

April 16: Email sent to MLA Brian Comer and the Minister's administrator to notify that local families are suffering.

April 16: The Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology

April 22: Power Beyond Coal: A Community Conversation event.

June 3: CBRM presentation.

June 4: CBC coverage of CBRM presentation.

September 17 at 1:30 PM: Nova Scotia Environment staff are spotted in the local area. There was no mine noise at 1:30 pm. Way back on June the 9th, 2021, the following email message was forwarded to elected officials... "during the weekdays the mine noise becomes elevated during evening hours, between 8-10 PM. Runs throughout the night and early morning hours disturbing sleep and fades into the morning background after running approximately 12 hours. Any noise complaint visits you might consider to local residents during the day might be frustrating". This pattern has been quite consistent for years now.

October 5th: No audible mine noise throughout the day.

October 6th: Mine noise experienced throughout the day – residents unable to enjoy living on their property.

Calling for Change

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.