se on all of the mineral rights of the province of Nova Scotia to assist him in paying his debt. Frederick then transferred the right to the General Mining association in 1827. Many thought it unfair that the GMA have a monopoly on all the coal mining in Nova Scotia and the Nova Scotia Legislature had the monopoly revoked in 1858 (Ryan, 1992).Prior to the 1890's there were many unproductive Mines in Cape Breton. One Mr. A.C. Ross is generally credited with realizing that a rail line from the rich Sydney coalfield to the ice free port at Lousisbourg would allow year round coal extraction rather than have to lay off workers in the winter, as ships could not enter Sydney Harbour. Together with Boston businessman H.W. Whitney, owner of New England Gas and Coke Company, which needed large amounts of bituminous coal, they presented a plan for the amalgamation of all the coal companies to the premier of Nova Scotia. With this amalgamation and a large input of foreign investment for modern equipment and transportation systems the output of coal could be greatly increased thereby increasing royalties to the province. Leases were granted in 1894 to the new Dominion Coal Company for ninety-nine years renewable for another twenty upon expiration. Much of the increased output of the mines was sold to the New England Gas and Coke Company facilitated by the construction of new piers in Boston and improved loading facilities at Sydney and Louisbourg. The output of coal increased so rapidly that it was soon realized that another major industry could be supported. Locally limestone was available and an ample supply of iron ore on nearby Belle Island made the construction of a steel mill in Sydney a logical decision. The construction of the mills created a great need for labourers, which greatly increased provincial in-migration. The migrants mostly came from other parts of Canada and the United States. Also many Nova Scotian natives, who h...
