Skip to Content News Archives Economy Energy Oil & Gas Renewables Electric Vehicles Mining Commodities Agriculture Real Estate Mortgages Mortgage Rates Finance Banking Insurance Fintech Cryptocurrency Work Wealth Smart Money Wealth Management Investor Personal Finance Family Finance Retirement Taxes High Net Worth FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials More Innovation Information Technology FP500 Podcasts Small Business Lives Told Tails Told Shopping Financial Post Store Obituaries Place a Notice Advertising Advertising With Us Advertising Solutions Postmedia Ad Manager Sponsorship Requests Classifieds Place a Classifieds ad Working Profile Settings My Subscriptions Saved Articles My Offers Newsletters Customer Service FAQ News Economy Energy Mining Real Estate Finance Work Wealth Investor FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials HomeMiningNewsNova Scotia zinc project clears hurdle as mining momentum buildsDeveloping resources especially important as U.S. tariffs threaten economy, says ministerLast updated 2 hours ago You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.The Scotia Mine in Cooks Brook, N.S., about 60 kilometres northeast of Halifax, will restart operations, likely in 2027, after the Province of Nova Scotia recently amended the project's industrial approval. Photo by EDM Resources Inc.The restart of a Nova Scotia zinc mine is a significant step closer after the province amended the project’s industrial approval, underscoring a growing momentum in its mining sector.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorScotia Mine Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Halifax-based EDM Resources Inc., has received approval for changes at its open-pit mine in Cooks Brook, just over 60 kilometres northeast of Halifax. The approval allows for site modifications needed to restart operations, which the company is targeting in 2027.“There is momentum that is undeniable,” Tory Rushton, Nova Scotia’s minister of Natural Resources, said in a statement.SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE: FP West: Energy Insider brings you behind the oilpatch’s closed doors with exclusive insights from insiders every Wednesday morning.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of FP West: Energy Insider will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again“Over the past few months, we have seen major projects move forward that will support communities, create jobs and grow our economy. As we face global uncertainty due to trade tariffs from the United States, now it is more important than ever to responsibly develop our resources here in Nova Scotia.” Tory Rushton, Nova Scotia’s Minister of Natural Resources, arrives for a news conference May 14, 2025, in Halifax to speak about the province’s critical minerals strategy. Photo by Ryan TaplinThe approval marks an important regulatory milestone for a project that has been dormant for years but is expected to create about 150 direct jobs once fully operational and support economic activity for more than 14 years.It governs the day-to-day operation of industrial facilities and includes environmental and public health conditions companies must meet throughout the life of a project.The 600-hectare mine site, which first opened in the late 1970s, already has significant infrastructure in place, including processing facilities, roads, power and water systems. By reusing existing infrastructure, the company expects to reduce development costs and shorten construction timelines compared with a new mining project.“The approval allows us to move forward with the next phase of redevelopment planning as we continue advancing the project toward a potential restart,” Mark Haywood, EDM Resources chief executive, said in an email. “It provides greater certainty for our engineering studies, project financing discussions and long-term planning.“More broadly, it reinforces our belief that the Scotia Mine can once again become an important contributor to Nova Scotia’s mining sector, creating over 150 direct skilled jobs, supporting local businesses, (paying) federal taxes and supplying a critical mineral that is increasingly important to the global economy.”In addition to producing zinc and lead, EDM Resources is exploring the site’s gold potential and evaluating opportunities to produce gypsum.“While our primary focus remains the redevelopment of the Scotia Mine as a zinc-lead and gypsum producer, we are also evaluating the broader mineral potential across our property,” Haywood said.“We are conducting a gold exploration program, with encouraging results so far confirming the presence of gold mineralization in our historical concentrates in the mill. Those results support additional exploration aimed at understanding the property’s gold potential.“Our strategy is to maximize the value of the entire mineral system while maintaining our primary focus on bringing the Scotia Mine back into production as a modern critical minerals operation.”The approval comes as the provincial government seeks to accelerate development of critical mineral projects amid growing global demand for metals used in clean energy technologies.Zinc was designated under Nova Scotia’s Critical Minerals Strategy, which was first released in 2024 and updated last year. The metal is widely used in renewable energy technologies, batteries, electric vehicles and galvanizing steel to prevent corrosion.“Zinc has become increasingly important as governments focus on securing reliable supplies of critical minerals needed for modern infrastructure and the energy transition,” Haywood said.“While zinc has traditionally been associated with galvanizing steel to prevent corrosion, it is also used in renewable energy infrastructure, battery technologies and a wide range of industrial applications.” The Scotia Mine’s previous operations before care and maintenance in 2008. Photo by EDM Resources Inc.Rushton said the mine is also expected to produce lead, which is used in batteries, and gypsum, a key material for construction and agriculture.“This is a significant milestone for Nova Scotia and an important step forward for our critical minerals sector,” Rushton said.“As the first critical mineral mining project to receive approval since the release of Nova Scotia’s Critical Minerals Strategy, Scotia Mine shows that our province can support responsible resource development while creating jobs, attracting investment and contributing to the clean energy transition.”Canada remains a relatively small global zinc producer despite operating more than 120 zinc mines. Most production comes from Manitoba and Ontario. The Scotia Mine would become the province’s primary zinc-producing operation when it resumes production.Global zinc production reached approximately 12 million tonnes in 2024, with China accounting for about one-third of world output. Canada produced roughly one per cent of global mined zinc that year.Industry data also highlights zinc’s continued economic importance. Canadian exports of zinc and zinc products were valued at approximately $2 billion in 2024, with the U.S. purchasing more than 90 per cent of exports.“The Scotia Mine is not intended to transform Canada’s overall zinc production on its own, but every operating mine contributes to strengthening domestic supply,” Haywood said.“Canada has an opportunity to increase production of critical minerals from stable, well-regulated jurisdictions. Bringing an existing brownfield mine back into production is often a more efficient and environmentally responsible approach than developing entirely new operations.“If redevelopment proceeds as planned, we believe it can become an important regional producer that contributes to Canada’s critical mineral supply chain … and provide long-term economic benefits for local communities and the province.”Mineralization at the Scotia Mine was first discovered in 1973. Development began in 1978, with milling operations commencing in 1979, before production was suspended after several periods of operation over subsequent decades. Mark Haywood, president and CEO of EDM Resources Inc., answers questions during a standing committee on natural resources and economic development in Halifax on May 27, 2025. Photo by Ryan TaplinThe upcoming restart at the site reflects the province’s broader strategy to expand mining investment.The provincial government launched the Nova Scotia Mining Roundtable in June to bring together industry leaders and government officials to identify ways to improve competitiveness and attract new investment while “growing the sector.”“This roundtable will be a game-changer,” Rushton said. “It will help ensure we are supporting industry and communities responsibly, while positioning Nova Scotia to make the most of new opportunities in mining and critical minerals.”The mining industry currently supports at least 2,500 jobs across Nova Scotia, with average annual wages and benefits of about $100,000, according to the province. Join the Conversation This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.