NOVA SCOTIA/CAPE BRETON
'We are engaging the best local, national and international expertise to responsibly explore and bring to market copper and other critical minerals,' Nova Copper CEO says
Author of the article:
By Ian Nathanson
Published Aug 15, 2025
Published Aug 15, 2025
CAPE BRETON POST
This interactive map from Keep Coxheath Clean is based on the outline and landmarks as shown in Nova Copper Inc.'s exploration and mining proposal. The orange area is the proposed mining exploration and the yellow area marked a proposed CBRM land sale. Photo by CONTRIBUTED
According to a news release issued Wednesday, the mining exploration firm announced it, along with other affiliates, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs “regarding the exploration and development of copper and other critical minerals” in the CBRM.
“Following extensive dialogue between both parties, the MOU sets out a framework to protect and ensure the sustainable development of the lands and waters of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw territory,” the release said.
“It also marks an important step towards negotiating a Mutual Benefits Agreement (MBA) to facilitate meaningful Mi’kmaw participation in the projects being advanced by Nova Copper and its affiliates.”
The release added that the MOU marks the foundation for “open, good faith dialogue between Nova Copper and Indigenous people and opens the doors for the Mi’kmaq to be involved with the project.”
Kwilmu’kw Maw-Klusuaqn (KMK) confirmed the MOU signing in its July meeting highlights update. KMK works on behalf of the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia in discussions with the province and the federal government on how the province’s Mi’kmaq will implement their treaty rights.
URGING A MEETING
The announcement comes just days after the president of Keep Coxheath Clean, a group opposed to the mine project eyed for the Coxheath Hills area, sent an email to CBRM Mayor Cecil Clarke, councillors and various others urging a meeting with the group to provide an update on anything happening with Nova Copper’s Sydney-area project.
“As you are aware, there is strong community opposition to this project. Our online petition currently has 1,360 signatures from across the CBRM and beyond,” association president Laura MacNeil said in her email. “Mi’kmaq elders have expressed, in writing, their disapproval of the mine and desire to protect the land. The message is clear: Cape Bretoners do not want an open-pit copper mine atop the Coxheath Hills.”
MacNeil said in a more recent email she is looking to include Eskasoni’s Albert Marshall, a leading environmental voice and spokesperson for Mi’kmaq natural resources and environmental issues, as well as Terry Gibbs, a Cape Breton University professor of international politics in the Department of L’nu, Political and Social Studies.
URGING A MEETING
The announcement comes just days after the president of Keep Coxheath Clean, a group opposed to the mine project eyed for the Coxheath Hills area, sent an email to CBRM Mayor Cecil Clarke, councillors and various others urging a meeting with the group to provide an update on anything happening with Nova Copper’s Sydney-area project.
“As you are aware, there is strong community opposition to this project. Our online petition currently has 1,360 signatures from across the CBRM and beyond,” association president Laura MacNeil said in her email. “Mi’kmaq elders have expressed, in writing, their disapproval of the mine and desire to protect the land. The message is clear: Cape Bretoners do not want an open-pit copper mine atop the Coxheath Hills.”
MacNeil said in a more recent email she is looking to include Eskasoni’s Albert Marshall, a leading environmental voice and spokesperson for Mi’kmaq natural resources and environmental issues, as well as Terry Gibbs, a Cape Breton University professor of international politics in the Department of L’nu, Political and Social Studies.
Members of the Keep Coxheath Clean advocacy group — from left, Erin Thompson, Laura MacNeil, Rubin Binder and Cheryl MacInnis — speak during a presentation before Cape Breton Regional Municipality council on Nov. 14, 2023. According to MacNeil, president of the association, the group wants an update from the CBRM on what is happening with Nova Copper’s Sydney project. Photo by IAN NATHANSON/CAPE BRETON POST FILE
‘WE JUST WANT ANSWERS’
MacNeil goes on to explain the reasons the copper mine project would be of great harm to the area:
• Risk of contamination of our drinking water (a necessity of life);
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• Air, soil, and noise pollution;
• Clear cutting of woodlands/wetlands on the Coxheath Hills will result in an increased flood risk to areas below. This area already has significant precipitation. Given current climate predictions, hurricanes and other serious weather events will be common in the near future. Residents expect elected officials to plan for and mitigate this risk (not increase it);
‘WE JUST WANT ANSWERS’
MacNeil goes on to explain the reasons the copper mine project would be of great harm to the area:
• Risk of contamination of our drinking water (a necessity of life);
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• Air, soil, and noise pollution;
• Clear cutting of woodlands/wetlands on the Coxheath Hills will result in an increased flood risk to areas below. This area already has significant precipitation. Given current climate predictions, hurricanes and other serious weather events will be common in the near future. Residents expect elected officials to plan for and mitigate this risk (not increase it);
• Proximity to the Bras d’Or Lakes Biosphere and First Nations communities;
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• Decreased property value (and therefore property taxes) of nearby homes and land;
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• Harm to local tourism attractions (e.g., Coxheath Hills Wilderness Trails, Coxheath Hills Cultural Centre, the Bras d’Or Lake);
• Loss of wildlife habitat will push animals closer to residential areas. This could result in increased, dangerous interactions between humans and coyotes, for example, which are present on the Coxheath Hills;
• Damage to roads from heavy machinery traffic. Local taxpayers will be responsible for repair costs;
• Lax provincial environmental regulations for mining and known loopholes in the “environmental assessment” process (procured and paid for by mining companies, not the province);
• Taxpayer liability for cleanup costs (see the list of 69 former mining sites in Nova Scotia that require remediation, to be paid for by taxpayers).
“We just want answers,” MacNeil told the Cape Breton Post in a recent interview. “What is this agreement? What are the terms? Why are you not taking public opinion into account?”
Nova Copper CEO Harry Cabrita: “This MOU builds on the positive dialogue we have been pursuing for several years.” CONTRIBUTED
FOLLOWING LAWS
FOLLOWING LAWS
But in a statement provided in Wednesday’s news release, Nova Copper chief executive Harry Cabrita, maintains that the firm “is following all provincial laws and standards on environment, health and safety.”
“We are engaging the best local, national and international expertise to responsibly explore and bring to market copper and other critical minerals that Canada and the world needs to secure a transition to a green economy,” Cabrita added.
“Mining is one of the major employers of Indigenous people across Canada and we want to see that success extend to our Mi’kmaw partners on Unama’ki (Cape Breton) and across Mi’kma’ki. This MOU builds on the positive dialogue we have been pursuing for several years.”
Nova Copper spokesperson Joe Hines acknowledged in an emailed statement to the Post that “unfortunately, there is a special interest group that has repeatedly refused any offers we have extended to them to meet and share information on our development activities.
“Thankfully, there is a far greater number of individuals and organizations in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality who have been happy to meet with our organization over the last several years. The support we have received from the people of (the CBRM) to proceed with safe, responsible mineral exploration to create long term jobs and economic benefit has been encouraging.
“We look forward to continuing these conversations with supporters, information seekers and even with anti-mining activists. As a locally based company, we believe it’s important to meet with all groups interested in our project activities.”
Neither Hines nor Cabrita were available to speak with the Post on further progress.
CONTROVERSIAL PROJECT
In late July 2023, the Coxheath Hills Wilderness Recreation Association was approached by Nova Copper to search part of its land for pyrophyllite. But the association said so.
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Not long after, word got out that the CBRM was looking to potential sell 1,002 acres of Beechmount area land to Nova Copper — unbeknownst to both the wilderness recreation association and Keep Coxheath Clean groups — and bringing the matter to a late August 2023 council meeting for approval.
“Thankfully, there is a far greater number of individuals and organizations in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality who have been happy to meet with our organization over the last several years. The support we have received from the people of (the CBRM) to proceed with safe, responsible mineral exploration to create long term jobs and economic benefit has been encouraging.
“We look forward to continuing these conversations with supporters, information seekers and even with anti-mining activists. As a locally based company, we believe it’s important to meet with all groups interested in our project activities.”
Neither Hines nor Cabrita were available to speak with the Post on further progress.
CONTROVERSIAL PROJECT
In late July 2023, the Coxheath Hills Wilderness Recreation Association was approached by Nova Copper to search part of its land for pyrophyllite. But the association said so.
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Not long after, word got out that the CBRM was looking to potential sell 1,002 acres of Beechmount area land to Nova Copper — unbeknownst to both the wilderness recreation association and Keep Coxheath Clean groups — and bringing the matter to a late August 2023 council meeting for approval.
That prompted outrage from members of Keep Coxheath Clean, the Coxheath Hills Wilderness Recreation Association and other groups, as well as a loud protest outside CBRM city hall just before that evening’s council meeting.
However, by the time protestors entered CBRM council chambers to hear what was going to be said on the matter, the item wound up nixed from its agenda list, and the municipality didn’t pursue the item any further.
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COMMISSIONED REPORT
The last time Keep Coxheath Clean referenced the Nova Copper project with the Post was in January 2024, when the organization commissioned a report to evaluate the impacts of a mine opening anywhere within the 33 square kilometres Nova Copper had been exploring for copper and other minerals.
The geophysics expert who completed the report stated at that time it would be “highly likely” that a future mine would result in environmental contamination in the surrounding areas, including lakes, rivers and the wells of homes.
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However, by the time protestors entered CBRM council chambers to hear what was going to be said on the matter, the item wound up nixed from its agenda list, and the municipality didn’t pursue the item any further.
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COMMISSIONED REPORT
The last time Keep Coxheath Clean referenced the Nova Copper project with the Post was in January 2024, when the organization commissioned a report to evaluate the impacts of a mine opening anywhere within the 33 square kilometres Nova Copper had been exploring for copper and other minerals.
The geophysics expert who completed the report stated at that time it would be “highly likely” that a future mine would result in environmental contamination in the surrounding areas, including lakes, rivers and the wells of homes.
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However, Cabrita countered that the commissioned report wasn’t objective.
“It is not peer-reviewed. It is not clear from the report that the author even visited Cape Breton Island,” he said in a statement to the Post in January 2024.
MacNeil said this week she doesn’t buy that argument.
“Harry Cabrita offers no examples of any factual inaccuracies in the report — because there are none,” she said via email.
When asked again about whether her organization had made any attempts to connect with Nova Copper, MacNeil said she felt there wasn’t any need. “They have never initiated any contact … no calls, emails, letters, nothing,” she responded.
Prior to Nova Copper’s MOU announcement on Wednesday, Eskasoni elder Albert Marshall expressed opposition to the mine project, while CBRM councillor Esmond (Blue) Marshall said he had not heard any other updates or behind-the-scenes discussions.
The Post reached out to the CBRM for their thoughts on the MOU. As of publication time, the municipality had yet to respond.
— With files from Cape Breton Post Staff
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