Residents living near Donkin, N.S., say they’re worried a new study on noise coming from the community’s idled coal mine will not produce new results.

They say the provincial Environment Department’s testing might not measure the low-frequency tonal sound produced by the underground mine’s ventilation fans.

“For over six years, residents living near the mine have been reporting the same experience,” said Catherine Fergusson, who lives several kilometres away.

“We can’t sleep and we can’t escape the penetrating noise that enters our homes and keeps us awake at night.”

On Tuesday, Fergusson told Cape Breton Regional Municipality councillors that the sound has hurt residents’ health.

Fergusson said people living in the area want the problem solved, but the methodology to be used in a new study by the province might not measure the correct frequency.

She said the study will measure broadband frequencies that might mask the low-frequency tonal noise produced by the mine.

“If the testing does not isolate this tone, the tone will not appear in the data and if the tone does not appear in the data, the mine will appear to be compliant and residents, ourselves, will continue to suffer,” Fergusson said.

She also said the results cannot be trusted if the mine owner, Kameron Coal, is paying for the study.

District 8 Coun. Steven MacNeil, who represents the area on CBRM council, said residents are right to be concerned.

Study will be accurate, unbiased: province

MacNeil said he has heard the noise from the mine himself while visiting the home of one of the residents.

“And it was a very uncomfortable experience and I have great sympathy for the residents who are suffering,” he said.

CBRM council voted unanimously to recommend the municipality back the residents’ concerns by writing letters to the provincial environment and health ministers.

In an email, Nova Scotia’s Environment Department said the study will test for low-frequency tonal noise.

It also said the mine company is required to cover the cost of compliance with safety regulations and the study will be done by an unbiased, licensed professional engineer.

The Donkin mine was shut down in 2023 after the roof fell in twice in one week. After months of work to meet provincial safety regulations, the mine was allowed to reopen the following year, but it never did.

It is now for sale. A handful of workers remain on site to make sure the tunnels do not fill with water or methane gas.

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