Coal mining has always been a significant influence on the culture and traditions of many communities in Nova Scotia. Understanding the history of coal mining is an important part of understanding the communities and those that live in them. With this in mind, the intention of this publication is to offer a resource of information on coal mining history in Nova Scotia.

In Nova Scotia, coal mining by Europeans has a history that goes back about 300 years. In the earliest days, the coal mining activity was sporadic and unorganized. The coal miners of that time were soldiers and local settlers. They mined the coal out of necessity, in order to provide heat for their family and comrades during the cold winter months. This type of mining occurred mostly in locations where the coal seams were exposed in the cliffs of harbors, rivers and the Atlantic Ocean.

A century and a half later, in the early 1800's, authorities began to recognize the potential wealth of the coal resources within their jurisdiction. They noticed that mining activities were beginning to increase and spread throughout the region. It was evident that the activities were beginning to develop into commercial endeavors, and yet were still unorganized and unregulated. Upon realizing these facts, the authorities began the process of formalizing the coal mining industry.

All through the 1900's, the coal mining activities were organized within a structure of licenses, grants and royalties. The mining operations were conducted by companies and regulated by government. As a result of this, a relative degree of stability had been achieved in the coal mining industry.

It has often been said that the coal mines formed the nucleus of some Nova Scotia communities. By providing company owned stores and housing in the immediate vicinity of the mines, the companies played a major role in community development. As the mines prospered, so did the communities. When the mines closed, as they always did, they left behind a social legacy of success or failure. Some communities continued to exist in varying degrees of prosperity, while others collapsed into complete abandonment. Such is the story of many mining communities.

This world wide web publication is intended to provide for the security and dissemination of historically valuable information. The information may take the form of transcripts of existing old publications, or historical editorials based on research. Photographs, diagrams and plans play an important role in the presentation of this information.

The coal mining information is being obtained from a number of reliable sources. Initially, files and documents in the possession of the coal mining companies, the Beaton Institute, and the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources have been identified as important sources. Other similar sources are also being investigated.

The publisher of this site is interested in locating new sources of historical coal mining information. For example, you or an acquaintance may have old documents, plans, journals or photographs which are mining related. These may be the only surviving copies and, as a result, they may have a significant historical value. A digital copy of such information can be made, and then incorporated into this web site. If you know of any potentially valuable information, please contact the publisher below.