Article content Kameron Collieries ULC, also known as Kameron Coal, is the owner of Donkin Mine. Photo by CAPE BRETON POST FILEArticle contentFollowing the July 2023 stop-work order, 130 employees were laid off, some relocating to other Kameron-owned facilities elsewhere in Canada. A rally to save those jobs took place at the Glace Bay Miners Museum in November 2023.Article contentAround the time the stop-work order had been issues, a consultant, a civil and resource engineering associate professor from Dalhousie University had been reviewing the causes of the roof falls — and concluded that seasonal changes and humidity impact roof stability in the mine.Article contentThe consultant, Dr. Andrew Corkum, had recommended a two-phase approach to address the trouble. That, however, didn’t impress Brisco, who attended that November 2023 rally.Article content“It took four months, but he didn’t produce an 80-page report that had a bunch of novel ideas on safety. It was just 12 pages, with three pages of recommendations,” Brisco said at the time, insisting that the mine — and all the inspections that have taken place since its reopening in September 2022 — is safe.Article contentArticle content“If they want Kameron to even consider coming back, they (the consultant and the government) need to fix the regulator,” he had said. “They need to step up … then we might stand a chance.”Article content Some of the 150 people who attended a November 2023 rally in support of laid-off Donkin Mine workers in the parking lot of the Glace Bay Miners Museum. Photo by IAN NATHANSON/CAPE BRETON POST FILEArticle contentUnder Kameron’s ownership, production at Cape Breton’s last productive coal mine started in 2017 but was stopped in 2020 due to geological concerns underground. There were a reported 14 roof falls at the Donkin mine between 2017 and 2020.Article contentDuring the shutdown, work crews remained on site to keep shafts ventilated and dry.Article contentEven during the closure then — as well as its current closure since 2023 — the mine faced opposition on a number of fronts including local community groups and national environmental organizations.Article contentLocal opposition included concerns about the noise that emanates from the two large industrial fans that have been used to ventilate the mine. Catherine Fergusson, a spokesperson for the Cow Bay Environmental Coalition, said more than 60 area homes had been affected by what she calls the “noise pollution” coming from the mine. Fergusson also cited mine safety as another concern shared by area residents.Article contentEven now, Fergusson and her group continue to lobby about a consistent “hum” emanating from the mine. Most recently, she spoke at a presentation to Cape Breton Regional Municipality council, urging all levels of government to put a stop to the mine hum, as it was profoundly affecting the lives of residents living with proximity of the mine.Article content
Donkin Mine ownership seeking potential sale: Report
