News release

Point Aconi Mine Appeal Delayed

Environment and Labour (Oct. 2000 - March 2008)

The decision on two appeals of an approval of a Point Aconi surface mine will be delayed by about two weeks, the Department of Environment and Labour said today, Nov. 3.

"The delay is caused by the length and complexity of the 316-page approval and because we have two appeals that have to be treated individually," said Mark Parent, Minister of Environment and Labour.

"We regret missing the deadline for this decision, but the appeals deserve full consideration and that is simply going to take more time."

The approval was issued to Pioneer Coal Ltd., of Antigonish.

The process requires departmental staff to review the approval to examine whether the grounds of each appeal are valid and report to the minister. The minister then reviews the report and makes a decision.

A decision on the first of the appeals was due today.