Majority of Nova Scotians support mining, quarrying industry: survey

A new poll by a mining association says public support for mining in Nova Scotia is growing.

The Mining Association of Nova Scotia (MANS) says it has commissioned a new poll that shows strong support for the mining and quarrying industry.

Four hundred Nova Scotians were interviewed online for the poll, which was conducted by Thinkwell Research.

Seventy-five per cent of those surveyed said the sector can play an important role in establishing Canadian economic independence.

“Nova Scotians know we need to create jobs, become more self-reliant and build a stronger province,” said Sean Kirby, executive director of MANS. “The mining and quarrying industry is part of the solution.”

Other survey results show:

• 76 per cent support mining critical minerals in the province; 11 per cent oppose it.
• 72 per cent agree the mining and quarrying sector plays an important role in economic development in rural areas; 12 per cent disagree.
• 70 per cent agree the sector provides well-paying jobs to Nova Scotians; 12 per cent disagree.
• 75 per cent support mining gold in the province; 15 per cent oppose it.

The association says support for the industry across all questions is significantly higher this year when compared to 2024.

The association suggests meeting climate goals can’t be reached without mining, as critical minerals such as lithium, copper, and other rare minerals are essential to developing things like:

• rechargeable batteries
• electric cars
• wind turbines
• solar panels

“But the critical minerals only give us leverage in those discussions if we are, in fact, mining them and using them to make the country and the province stronger. So, it’s really important that the government do everything it can to, first of all, to maintain the environmental standards, absolutely, but also to be more efficient,” said Kirby.

The poll also found most Nova Scotians agree the province needs to “cut red tape” while maintaining environmental standards. Support was shown for issuing permits for new mining projects within one to two years. Kirby also says Nova Scotia should put one department in charge of the mine permitting process, similar to other provinces.

“Not having a single department in charge creates uncertainty and confusion for project proponents,” he said. “It often does the same for government officials, who frequently work at cross purposes to each other and offer contradictory and ever-changing interpretations of permitting rules. We need clear, science-based, consistently-applied rules and regulations that protect the environment while also allowing us to create jobs for Nova Scotians.”

The province’s mining and quarrying industry employs more than 3,000 Nova Scotians, according to MANS.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Jesse Thomas.

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