Atlantic Mining Nova Scotia has received approval to begin new work at the Touquoy gold mine site in Moose River, Halifax County, allowing the company to process previously stockpiled ore.

The industrial approval, issued April 10 by the PC government’s Department of Environment and Climate Change, permits the processing of approximately three million tonnes of gold-bearing ore that has remained on site since operations ceased in 2023. No new mining or extraction will take place, and all work will be limited to the site’s existing disturbed footprint.

Processing is expected to take between 10 and 14 months. As part of the plan, all resulting waste material will be returned to the site’s existing open pit.

The project is expected to deliver economic benefits to the province, including the creation of about 197 jobs and an estimated $151 million contribution to Nova Scotia’s gross domestic product.

Last week our government announced that industrial approval has been granted to process existing gold ore at the Touquoy site in HRM.

This work will support nearly 200 jobs and add $151 million to Nova Scotia’s economy.

There is no new mining or expanded footprint. This project… pic.twitter.com/BNpifoctP9

— Tim Houston (@TimHoustonNS) April 14, 2026

Reclamation of the Touquoy site began in 2024 and will continue during this phase of work. While activity in the mill area will be temporarily paused to allow for processing, cleanup efforts will proceed in other parts of the site.

To ensure the site is fully restored, the Province continues to hold a $79.9-million bond from Atlantic Mining. The bond is in place to guarantee that reclamation is completed in accordance with the Environment Act.

The approval allows previously extracted resources to be processed while maintaining environmental safeguards and ongoing site rehabilitation.

A major renewable energy project in northeastern Nova Scotia is moving forward after receiving environmental assessment approval from the province.

The Eigg Mountain wind energy project, located in Antigonish County, was officially approved on April 9, clearing the way for construction to begin later this year.

Developed by Eigg Mountain Wind Inc., the project will feature 22 wind turbines and is expected to generate approximately 154 megawatts of clean electricity—enough to power the equivalent of nearly 50,000 homes. Once operational in 2028, the wind farm will play a significant role in reducing Nova Scotia’s reliance on fossil fuels while supporting long-term economic growth in the region.

Construction of the facility is projected to create between 200 and 250 jobs, providing a substantial boost to the local workforce. Over its anticipated 35-year lifespan, the project will maintain a smaller operational team of four to 12 employees while generating an estimated $1.3 million in annual tax revenue for the Municipality of the County of Antigonish.

Our PC government is unlocking Nova Scotia’s clean energy potential with the approval of the Eigg Mountain Wind Project in Antigonish County. ⚡ pic.twitter.com/NBCL2mFM0Y

— Nova Scotia PC Party (@nspc) April 13, 2026

Beyond its economic impact, the project is expected to deliver meaningful environmental benefits. It will reduce Nova Scotia’s greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 271,000 tonnes annually—the equivalent of removing more than 58,800 gas-powered vehicles from the road.

As part of its approval, the project must adhere to 57 terms and conditions aimed at protecting the environment and safeguarding public health throughout construction and operation.

As The Regulator, I have approved The Eigg Mountain wind energy project in Antigonish County. It received its environmental assessment approval today, April 9. Since September 2021, I have approved the construction of 17 wind farms as Minister of Environment and Climate Change.… pic.twitter.com/zwZCHDWu1Y

— Timothy Halman (@TimothyHalman) April 9, 2026

The Eigg Mountain development is part of Nova Scotia’s Green Choice Program, an initiative outlined in Our Climate, Our Future: Nova Scotia’s Climate Change Plan for Clean Growth. The program is designed to expand clean energy generation, attract green investment, create sustainable jobs, stabilize electricity rates, and reduce emissions across the province.

With approval now in place, the Eigg Mountain wind project represents a significant milestone in Nova Scotia’s transition to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.

Nova Scotia workers earning minimum wage are seeing a boost in their paycheques today, as the province’s hourly rate rises to $16.75 as of April 1.

The increase marks another step in the PC government’s ongoing effort to adjust wages in line with the rising cost of living. A second adjustment is already scheduled, with the minimum wage set to reach $17 per hour on October 1, 2026.

These changes follow the province’s established formula, which ties minimum wage increases to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) plus one per cent, as outlined in Nova Scotia’s minimum wage regulations.

Steady Climb Since 2021

Today’s increase comes up from the previous rate of $16.50 per hour and represents the eighth wage hike since April 2021, when the minimum wage stood at $12.95.

The steady upward trend reflects a broader strategy to provide predictability for both workers and employers, while helping wages keep pace with inflation.

Supporting Workers Amid Rising Costs

Labour, Skills and Immigration Minister Nolan Young emphasized the importance of the increase for workers across the province.

“Minimum wage workers show up every day in workplaces across Nova Scotia,” said Young. “This increase means more money in the pockets of hard-working Nova Scotians to help pay for groceries, rent and everyday expenses. We will continue to raise the minimum wage in a fair and predictable way.”

Broad Support Behind the Decision

The increases follow a unanimous recommendation from the Minimum Wage Review Committee, a group that includes representatives from both employees and employers. The consensus signals a shared recognition of the need to balance affordability for workers with sustainability for businesses.

Complementary Measures to Ease Cost Pressures

Alongside wage increases, the province points to a range of programs aimed at supporting households and strengthening workforce participation. These include:

• More than $680 million in tax-saving measures, expected to save the average Nova Scotian family over $1,400 this year
  
• Making the Heating Assistance Rebate Program permanent at $400 annually
  
• A $1.7 billion investment in housing through the Our Homes, Action for Housing five-year plan
  
• Increased support for individuals on income assistance, now indexed to inflation
  
• Expanded skills development and training programs to connect more people with job opportunities

Looking Ahead

With another increase already scheduled for October, Nova Scotia’s approach to minimum wage continues to focus on predictability, gradual growth, and alignment with economic conditions.

For workers across the province, today’s change offers immediate relief—while the planned fall increase signals that further support is on the way.