Donkin Coal Mine

A Parade of Misery

<i>Donkin coal miners, (Photo: Stephanie MacDougall).</i>
Donkin coal miners, (Photo: Stephanie MacDougall).

Betrayal of Science and Reason

Community Torture . . .

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

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.

People have endured four years of suffering -– some residents are on the verge of developing chronic health effects.

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

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

  • The Environment Minister rejects the community's appeal of industrial approval entitled Sleep: A Human Right –– The Adverse Effects of Industrial Noise. Environment Minister rejects the precautionary principle.

  • Minister rejects Expert Report: Minister rejects Dr. Sarah Barnes community research report entitled, One Thousand Days and Counting: A report on the social and health impacts of industrial noise from the Donkin Coal Mine.

  • Minister releases out-dated Noise Guidelines The Environment Minister rejects community recommendations for updating the new provincial noise guidelines and best practise for measuring toxic tonal noise pollution generated by Donkin's ventilation fans. The government goes ahead and releases updated 2023 provincial noise guidelines which are already outdated.

Causes of symptoms include a combination of both tonal and broadband noise harmful for human health. Adverse health effects of industrial coal mine ventilation include decreased quality of life, annoyance, stress, noise-induced sleep disturbance, headache, anxiety, depression, and cognitive dysfunction. Some have also felt anger, grief, or a sense of injustice and feel further victimized by a lack of regulatory action.

There is no longer any community recourse available –– absolute impunity has been granted to continue toxic tonal noise pollution emissions indefinately.

Political Capture

<i><b>MacLellan</b> with Morien Resources President and CEO<br> Photo credit: <b>Morien Resources</b></i>
MacLellan with Morien Resources President and CEO
Photo credit: Morien Resources

Strange Bedfellows, coal's deep state

Donkin Mine needs Financing

  • April 2022: Morien Resources (see photo above with MacLellan) 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." Source: CBC News. The billionaire owner of the Donkin coal mine is a major shareholder of Morien Resources.

Premier hires MacLellan

  • 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. Source: CBC News.

  • Six weeks later, June 16, 2022: Owner of the Donkin coal mine is making plans to reopen the Donkin Coal Mine. Source: CBC News. Morien Resources announces restart of operations at the Donkin Mine. Source: Morien Resources Press Release.

Premier thanks MacLellan

Donkin Mine hires MacLellan and gains Approval

The norm and the standard in Nova Scotia is to rubber stamp extractive industry mines without any meaningful action to protect anything.

Politicians rejects Community Concerns

<i>Noise and air pollution resulting from the transportation of coal overland by heavy B-Train diesel trucks.</i>
Noise and air pollution resulting from the transportation of coal overland by heavy B-Train diesel trucks.

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.

Uncontrolled Greenhouse Gas Leak

<i>Donkin's Methane and CO2 Exhaust Tunnel</i>
Donkin's Methane and CO2 Exhaust Tunnel

Climate deniers . . .

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." CBC News May 22, 2019.

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.

Smoke and Mirrors

Cap-and-Trade Program

In 2023, Nova Scotia announces Donkin mine joins provincial carbon pricing system.

In 2023: Nova Scotia's annouces provincial cap-and-trade program is winding down.

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

<i>Mine drainage directly into local wetlands</i>
Mine drainage directly into local wetlands

Groundwater Contamination . . .

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

LAND BACK

<i>Indigenous ceremony at Nova Scotia mine to bring awareness to treaty violations, environmental concerns.</i>
Indigenous ceremony at Nova Scotia mine to bring awareness to treaty violations, environmental concerns.

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

<i>Donkin coal miners, (Photo: Stephanie MacDougall).</i>
Donkin coal miners, (Photo: Stephanie MacDougall).
  • 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

<i>Donkin Mine coal miners. (Neil Mackinnon/The Canadian Press)</i>
Donkin Mine coal miners. (Neil Mackinnon/The Canadian Press)

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.

Human Rights

States have duty to protect

There is no evidence of a strong intervention by the government to investigate or any strong reaction by the company concerned to investigate themselves.

  • Calls for an investigation into the health implications are dismissed.

A "flawed system" of environmental regulation in Nova Scotia and wider issues around "lack of access" to justice for communities.

The exposure of people to a myriad of harmful substances without their prior informed consent is a human rights issue.

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.

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.