Thread by @MiningNS

This is the #Dingwall gypsum quarry, before and after!
Check out this history of this beautiful former quarry!

#nspoli #cbpoli #novascotia #Capebreton #nshistory #nshist
@AllanMacMaster @JaimeBattiste @TourismCB @TourismNS @HistoricNS @GeoffMacLellan @HomeMattersCB @ChenderMLA

The #CapeBreton quarry was opened in 1933 by the Atlantic Gypsum Mining Company and taken over in 1937 by @NationalGypsum when it bought AGMC. National Gypsum continued to operate the Dingwall quarry until 1955.
#nspoli #cbpoli #novascotia

Dingwall produced about 10 million tons of gypsum in its 22 years of operation.
National Gypsum closed the #Dingwall quarry in 1955 because it was opening the world’s largest surface gypsum mine in #Milford, East Hants.
#nspoli #cbpoli #novascotia #Capebreton

National still employs about 100 #NovaScotians in #Milford and at its dock facility in #Bedford Basin.
#Dingwall Harbour had siltation issues which contributed to the Dingwall quarry being shut down.
#nspoli #cbpoli #novascotia #Capebreton

The shallowness of the harbour limited production to the months of May-November. Each spring the channel had to be dredged and, toward the end of the shipping season, cargo size was reduced to keep the vessels afloat.
#nspoli #cbpoli #novascotia #Capebreton

In contrast, National’s Milford quarry can operate year-round.
In the 1990s, National Gypsum reclaimed the Dingwall Quarry on its own initiative – the quarry closed long before mining companies were required by law to reclaim sites.
#nspoli #cbpoli #novascotia #Capebreton

National hauled away the remaining stockpiled gypsum, contoured the land, covered it with topsoil and planted grass. It also did extensive landscaping around the local community center.
#nspoli #cbpoli #novascotia #Capebreton

Today, #NovaScotia mining companies have to get government approval of reclamation plans and post reclamation bonds (money in escrow, basically) before mining starts. This ensures sites are properly reclaimed.
#nspoli #cbpoli #Capebreton
@AllanMacMaster @HomeMattersCB @ChenderMLA

The Atlantic Gypsum Mining Company, and later National Gypsum, also operated the #Cheticamp gypsum quarry (1907-1939). The newer Dingwall operation contributed to the decline and eventual closure of the Cheticamp quarry.
#nspoli #cbpoli #novascotia #Capebreton

National Gypsum donated the #Cheticamp quarry land to the community and today it is a beautiful swimming hole and hiking trail.
Check out this history of the Cheticamp gypsum quarry:
#nspoli #cbpoli #novascotia #Capebreton
@ChenderMLA @AllanMacMaster