Early exploration and ban on uranium mining (1976–2009) Significant uranium exploration took place in Nova Scotia between 1976 and 1981, with companies such as
Shell Canada, Gulf Minerals, and
Esso Minerals investing in exploration in the province. Lacana, Gulf Minerals, and
Noranda claimed a large area in the
sedimentary basins near
Pugwash and
Tatamagouche, while Getty Minerals claimed land in the North Mountain region of the
Annapolis Valley. In 1976, uranium mineralization was discovered at McLean Point near Pugwash during Lacana's regional exploration efforts, resulting in increased exploration in subsequent years. Exploration activities by Getty Minerals in North Mountain were unsuccessful, with the company ceasing operations in the area by 1978. In 1981, the provincial government under
John Buchanan placed a moratorium on further uranium exploration, in the form of a cabinet policy statement. In 1982, the government held 44 public meetings on the topic as part of a public inquiry led by Judge
Robert McCleave, releasing a report in 1985 which affirmed the moratorium. A committee to reexamine uranium exploration was formed in 1985, producing a report in 1994 which recommended removing the moratorium on uranium exploration. The recommendation was not acted upon. On 1 April 2008, the Vancouver-based Capella Resources announced the results of their exploration near
Windsor Forks, declaring findings of 100ppm of uranium at the site. The announcement specifically noted that the moratorium on uranium mining was not bound by provincial legislation. In response to public pressure, the province effected a ban on uranium exploration and mining in 2009.
Committee ruling (2019) The issue was revisited by the province's Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Economic Development in 2019. Proponents of uranium mining, such as the Mining Association of Nova Scotia, claimed that the ban on uranium exploration was preventing economic development in the province in rural areas. The Mining Association claimed that the ban was a political decision not based on science. The committee ruled to assert the province's support for the ban, in respect to "significant public concern about the risks of uranium mining, resulting in recommendations by the 1985 inquiry to issue a moratorium on the industry and subsequent legislation by the NDP government in 2009."
Repeal of the ban on uranium mining (2025) In February 2025, the
Progressive Conservative government under
Tim Houston expressed interest in revisiting uranium exploration and mining in the province. Houston said in an interview with
The Chronicle Herald that the technology and safety practices around uranium mining had changed, and that it was time for a "proper discussion" on the issue. Houston and the Energy Minister
Trevor Boudreau stated that Nova Scotia depends on imported energy resources, but does not allow development of its own. The provincial government of Nova Scotia repealed the ban on uranium exploration on 25 March 2025, saying in a statement that "the aim is to allow for research and to support industry to pursue new opportunities." On 14 May 2025, the province amended its critical minerals list to include uranium and issued a request for proposals for uranium exploration in areas with known deposits. Other critical minerals added to the list include
tellurium, high purity
silica, and silver. The three sites highlighted for uranium exploration were Louisville, in
Pictou County; East Dalhousie, in
Annapolis County; and Millet Brook, in
Hants County. Municipal governments for each county expressed surprise at the announcement, with councillors from
West Hants Regional Municipality unanimously voting to request that the province pause issuing any leases for uranium exploration in Hants County until the issue could be further examined. The Municipality of Pictou County also requested a pause. The premier's office responded to the municipalities with a letter stating that the government remained committed to resource development. Houston later noted that "if municipalities want more investment, they must allow for more economic development".
Joan Baxter of the
Halifax Examiner described the letter to municipalities as containing "thinly-veiled threats".
Mi'kmaq groups in the province such as the
Sipekne'katik First Nation demanded that the province re-instate the ban, stating the decision was made without consultation with First Nations groups. Other groups in the province issued statements in opposition to uranium exploration, such as the
Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment and the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour. The province's request for proposals for uranium exploration did not result in any applications by the deadline of 11 June 2025. The Mining Association of Nova Scotia attributed the lack of interest to the enduring effects of the ban on exploration, stating that the mining industry still viewed the province as closed to mining.
Erin Adlakha, the Chair of Geology at
Dalhousie University, blamed the lack of interest on poor timing. She stated that the four-week deadline was too short for mineral exploration companies to make a decision, adding that many of them likely had already planned summer exploration work elsewhere.
Derek Mombourquette, the interim leader of the
Nova Scotia Liberal Party, criticized the Houston government for rushing to lift the uranium ban. Mombourquette echoed concerns regarding lack of consultation, stating that the province failed to consult with municipalities and the Mi'kmaq. The geologist and activist Brad Redden claimed that the provincial government of Nova Scotia is unable to properly regulate mining and forestry, stating that "environment falls off the plate". Redden spoke at a gathering in
River John on 5 June 2025, where he described the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources as "more a facilitator of industry than a regulator of industry", referring to the 1992
Westray Mine disaster caused by lack of oversight by government regulators. Redden, a former municipal councillor and deputy warden of
Annapolis County, stated that he received a geology degree from
Saint Mary's University and spent three years working in the mining industry but did not have a professional geologist designation. Redden subsequently received a call on 23 June from Stephen Olmstead, the registrar and CEO of Geoscientists Nova Scotia, warning him that complaints had been made regarding his comments at the gathering. The call was followed up with a letter the next day stating that there were "public concerns" with Redden's presentation regarding "the subsequent media coverage relative to mineral exploration on the basis that while you may have training in geology (unconfirmed), you are not currently registered as a professional geoscientist under Nova Scotia's
Geoscience Profession Act." Redden and other citizens opposed to uranium mining subsequently formed a new non-profit group, Safe and Responsible Resource Development. Following the lack of interest by mineral exploration companies, the province began their own research at the Millet Brook site. A statement from the Department of Natural Resources said the research would not involve any digging or drilling, and the department would be examining existing records and
core samples while they "consider other next steps". A landowner in
Vaughan claimed that he received a telephone call from the
MLA for West Hants
Melissa Sheehy-Richard on 19 June 2025, requesting access to his private road for the provincial government for the purpose of uranium exploration. The Premier's office denied that the call took place. On 3 October 2025, a 7,000-signature petition was tabled in the
Nova Scotia Legislature calling for the ban on uranium mining and exploration to be reinstated. ==Economic and political influence==