Mine expansion will exclude active agricultural lands

To the Editor:

During the past several weeks, Fundy Gypsum has noted that a number of questions have been raised about the future of agriculture on the Avondale Peninsula. This is where our Company is proposing to extend its Miller’s Creek gypsum mine.

While we have been mining in the area for more than 80 years, we think it’s important to quickly clear up any misconceptions about our relationship with the local agricultural community and uses of agricultural lands near our operations.

At the outset of this writing, we state that our Company has had a long and positive relationship with the local agricultural community. Further, we are not intending to use any active agricultural lands for our proposed Miller’s Creek Mine Extension project. Any representation other than this is incorrect.

Throughout the decades, Fundy has bought and traded lands around our operations and such is the case with the proposed extension to the Miller’s Creek gypsum mine. These lands have not, in recent record, been used for agricultural purposes.

The lands where Fundy proposes to mine are generally characterized by sinkholes, outcrops, wetlands, tight clay soils, steep slopes and an uneven terrain. You can ask almost anybody in the local agricultural business; these lands are not prime for agricultural use.

Furthermore, in areas adjacent to our proposed site, there is plenty of land that is much more suitable for agricultural use. Lands not used for mining activities would be available for farming, forestry or other uses. Fundy Gypsum has a long history of leasing lands for a variety of uses.

In terms of our relationship with local farmers, we believe that Fundy’s relationship is very good. Our Company has helped farmers with water supply and field development. Also, over the years, Fundy has leased and is leasing a considerable amount of land to local farmers.

As a significant player in the resource industry in this province, we know that Nova Scotians share the desire to keep alive our traditional industries. We want to earn our livings here in Nova Scotia, not in Fort MacMurray, and hope that our children can do likewise. That is why our Company supports the local agricultural industry.

You can expect that Fundy will continue to be a good corporate citizen in our communities, providing well-paying jobs at home for the people of Hants County. Also, you can expect us to continue to cooperate with members of the local agricultural industry to ensure continued, viable, environmentally sensitive and economically productive use of the land in our communities.

Sincerely,

Mike Bishop

Plant Manager

Fundy Gypsum