News Release Archive
NEWS RELEASE (CNS763) -->> NATURAL RESOURCES--NORRIE LAUNCHES NEW MINERAL POLICY NATURAL RESOURCES--NORRIE LAUNCHES NEW MINERAL POLICY ----------------------------------------------------------------- A new mineral policy for Nova Scotia has been unveiled by Natural Resources Minister Eleanor Norrie. The document, titled "Minerals - A Policy for Nova Scotia," is the government's blueprint for continued growth of the mineral industry and wise management of the province's mineral resources. Mrs. Norrie introduced the new policy in Halifax today during an address at the annual review of activities of the Department of Natural Resources. "This new policy defines responsibilities for government, industry, and the public and it also advocates change in the way we work together," said Mrs. Norrie. "Perhaps most important, it is a framework for mineral resource development that is economically and environmentally sustainable." There are seven key objectives in the new policy: - to improve knowledge of Nova Scotia's geology and mineral resources; - to provide a competitive business climate for the mineral industry; - to improve public knowledge of geology and mineral resource development; - to provide greater certainty of mineral rights tenure and access to land; - to ensure protection of the environment; - to protect health and safety of mining industry workers and the general public; - to encourage cooperation among mineral industry stakeholders. She said the new policy is comprehensive, progressive, and sound. "Implementation will require ongoing consultation, cooperation, and support from all stakeholders in the mineral industry. To ensure accountability, the Department of Natural Resources will organize a policy workshop every second year to provide a forum for updates on policy implementation." Under the new policy, greater emphasis will be placed on the safety of mineral industry workers. Industry, labour and government agencies and departments will be encouraged to develop a 'safety culture.' "As we have learned from the tragic lesson of Westray, safety is everybody's business," said Mrs. Norrie. "That means everyone, including companies, workers, citizens and government, simply must share responsibility for safety." The new policy was developed over three years. It involved extensive consultation with mineral industry stakeholder groups, the minerals sector group of Voluntary Planning, the Chamber of Mineral Resources, the Mining Society of Nova Scotia, and a mineral policy steering committee comprised of members from the private sector and representatives of the Departments of Natural Resources, Housing and Municipal Affairs, Environment and the Economic Renewal Agency. The mineral industry is a mainstay of the Nova Scotia economy. It employs more than 4,000 people, with an annual payroll of $170 million. The total value of mineral production in 1995, including crude oil from offshore, was $595 million. -30- Contact: Blain Henshaw 902-424-5252 trp Nov. 06, 1996 - 1 p.m.