by The Margaree Environmental Association is speaking out against the opening of the Donkin Mine.
And, the group is calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to reserve the Donkin coal seam for emergency purposes only.
Association co-chair Neal Livingston says most Nova Scotians and Cape Bretoners don’t want a return to coal mining and would rather see greener energy options developed.
He adds Ottawa has the right, under national security interests, to keep Donkin coal in the ground, unless an emergency situation deems it necessary to be mined.
Livingston adds in recent meetings between his Association and Nova Scotia Power, the power utility suggested it wasn’t against leaving coal behind for other energy sources.
Livingston says the province could get twice as much power as it’s currently contracted for from the Muskrat Falls hydro-electric project and adds hydropower could also be brought in from Quebec.
Meanwhile, Donkin Mine operators Kameron Coal are taking applications for work at the Donkin mine, this week.
On Tuesday, they held a job fair in Grande Cache, Alberta and locals can drop of applications at the offices of Gardiner Mining and Resources in Glace Bay.
The company says it expects to hire up to 120 people and begin mining coal in the spring.