Mining Association of Nova Scotia

Geology MattersNovember, 2013

2

5500 jobs, mostly in rural areas◦ Down 800 in past five

years $420 million in

economic activity per year◦ Down $80 million/year

Shrinking while other provinces growing

Industry Overview

Fuel Tax Fairness Government gives other resource industries

a tax rebate for fuel used in vehicles that do not go on public roads, such as:◦ Fishing boats◦ Farm tractors◦ Forestry harvesters

The government should treat all resource industries the same.

Give mining/quarrying the fuel tax rebate.

Out of step with neighbouring provinces and putting ourselves at an economic disadvantage.

Parks and Protected Areas Plan

• Nova Scotia plans to protect over 13% of the province’s land mass.

• Other Atlantic provinces:• NB 3.1% • PEI 2.8% • NL 4.6%

“Land Swap”◦ Allow mining and quarrying companies to access

protected land by purchasing land of equal size and ecological value outside of the protected areas and arranging for it to be protected instead. total amount of protected land remains the same or grows; ecological value of protected lands remains the same or

grows; and Nova Scotians will continue to be able to access the minerals

they need to create jobs and grow the economy.

Protected Lands Cap◦ Reasonable limit on the amount of land that is

permanently removed from economic use.

Parks and Protected Areas Plan

Preparing comprehensive submission

Wide range of policy issues, including:◦ Crown/shared ownership

of minerals◦ Land access and claims

management◦ Royalties

Mineral Resources Act Review

Reviews expected in next several years

Quarries a hot political issue due to misconceptions

Public thinks mines and quarries are the same thing

Pit and Quarry Guidelines Reviews

Not Your Grandfather’s Mining Industry

Safe, sustainable, responsible

Web site Outreach to all Federal,

Provincial and Municipal politicians

News conferences at reclaimed mine/quarry sites

Ongoing campaign

◦ Educational resource◦ Addresses key

misconceptions/issues Environment Safety Blasting, dust, noise,

water, buffers, etc.◦ Layman’s language

www.NotYourGrandfathersMining.ca

“The impact of surface mining is truly irreparable…. Digging up minerals forever alters the landscape, leaving huge holes in the earth, creating massive changes in the way water moves through the mined area, causing the siltation (often accompanied by poisoning) of rivers and streams, and on and on.”

Nova Scotia Public Lands Coalition

Environment, Environment, Environment

Mining Association of Nova Scotia

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