The Donkin Coal Mine in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, could reopen this year—if coal prices rise. The mine was previously shut down after a roof collapse. Given that the mine’s tunnels run beneath the ocean, the need for enhanced safety measures is critical. This wasn’t the first incident of its kind, and a troubling history of such issues raises serious concerns about the mine’s overall safety standards.

If safety protocols remain insufficient, there may be risks to nearby communities, including a primary school located less than four kilometers from the site, and the city of Glace Bay, which lies just beyond that. The proximity of these populated areas only amplifies the need for stricter oversight.

The mine has long been the subject of environmental assessments and public scrutiny. A government-commissioned Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) acknowledged that air quality was a significant concern among residents, particularly due to emissions from mining activities. While the EIS concluded that, with proper mitigation measures, the project would not likely cause serious environmental damage, questions remain.

Specifically, little public information is available about how far coal dust and particulate matter might travel—especially to vulnerable areas like Donkin Primary School. Given the right wind conditions, it's plausible that these pollutants could reach both the school and Glace Bay. The EIS did concede that large, exposed waste piles could generate dust, potentially impacting air quality.

To mitigate these risks, continuous air quality monitoring and stringent dust control measures are essential. Whether current safety practices are up to standard remains debatable, especially considering the presence of young children nearby—children whose developing lungs are far more sensitive to airborne contaminants.

A recent article on the CTV website, "Coal mine contaminants blown onto snowpack in Alberta, B.C.: study", highlights how far coal pollution can travel. The study, published in Environmental Science and Technology, found cancer-causing chemicals downwind of coal mines in southern British Columbia—at levels comparable to those near oilsands operations. Researchers sampled snowpack in 2022 and 2023 from 23 sites near four coal mines in the Elk Valley. The results confirmed that contaminants spread far beyond their original source.

Cape Breton County already experiences cancer incidence and mortality rates significantly higher than both the national average and the provincial average for Nova Scotia. It's natural to ask: how far might coal ash from the Donkin Mine travel, and what long-term health effects could it cause?

Reporting by The Tyee supports these concerns, noting that communities near open-pit coal mines often suffer increased rates of lung cancer, cardiovascular issues, birth defects, and reduced quality of life. Air modelling from Teck Resources’ operations in B.C. suggests pollution can reach southern Alberta, western Canada, and even parts of the northwestern United States, including Glacier National Park.

Adding to the environmental burden is methane—an especially potent greenhouse gas. The Sierra Club Canada reports that coal mining releases 50% more methane than previously estimated. Over a 20-year timeframe, a single tonne of methane can have the same atmospheric impact as 84–87 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

Additionally, there is an incessant hum from the fans in the mine, that can be heard over 7km away. The mine had an option for installing quite fans but opted not to. A website set up by community members trying to draw attention to this issue is www.gobsmack.org. You can learn more about this by visiting their website.

Cape Breton Regional Municipality currently spends public funds—roughly enough to treat six billion litres of wastewater annually—dealing with contamination from old coal mines. These costs fall on taxpayers, not the companies responsible for the pollution.

Experts suspect the Donkin Mine may be the largest methane emitter in Nova Scotia. There are also concerns it could be polluting nearby waterways and contributing to ocean degradation. Allegations have emerged that the company’s environmental reporting is not independently verified. Notably, the mine’s emissions are not covered under Nova Scotia’s cap-and-trade program, raising further concerns about transparency and accountability.

The health of our communities, our children, and our environment is not something that can be left to chance or market forces. This is not just a matter of economics or industry—it’s about public safety and environmental justice.

For a deeper dive into how coal ash affects human health, aquatic life, and wildlife, refer to additional article and research available in the forums and environmental reports.

It’s time for this issue to be taken seriously—and dealt with accordingly.