Government Regulation

The mining and quarrying industry is stringently regulated by the provincial government. Everything from environmental considerations to dust, noise and blasting activities are closely controlled by the province. The province’s regulatory regime helps ensure that Nova Scotians enjoy the full benefits of the materials we take from the ground, and that the industry operates in a safe, sustainable, responsible fashion.

Companies are required to do ongoing monitoring of various aspects of their operations, and to submit regular reports to the government, to ensure they are compliant with all rules and regulations. The provincial government does regular inspections and strictly enforces all rules.

It is also important to understand that the companies themselves are committed to being good stewards of the environment. After all, companies are made up of people who have families and usually live in the communities in which they operate. They too want to leave a better world to our children. They use best practices and ever-improving technology to increase safety and efficiency, and reduce their impact on the environment.

Please note that the information on this site about the regulatory regime has been summarized to help promote greater understanding of the industry. For more details, please contact the relevant Government of Nova Scotia departments, or visit the links on our links page.