A nature conservancy organization is expressing concerns about a proposed gold mining operation near what it calls a “biodiversity hot spot” in Nova Scotia’s Guysborough County.

Bonnie Sutherland, executive director of the Nova Scotia Nature Trust, says the open-pit mine would be next to unique and ecologically sensitive lands along the St. Mary’s River.

Sutherland says the area contains some of the last old-growth and Acadian flood plain forests in the province.

She says part of the proposal by Atlantic Gold would see a nearby highway re-routed through part of that wilderness area.

Sutherland says while the trust isn’t opposing the mine project, it is worried about the impact of related infrastructure.

Atlantic Gold wants to dig the mine in an area north of the community of Sherbrooke, N.S.

The company drew criticism when an environmental activist was arrested and forcibly removed from a public meeting it conducted in Sherbrooke last week.

The arrest of John Perkins, a member of Sustainable Northern Nova Scotia, was captured on video and circulated widely on social media. He was later released without charges.

The Nova Scotia Nature Trust works with communities, other conservation organizations and government to protect wilderness in the province. It says it currently protects more than 14,000 acres across Nova Scotia, including areas of the forest next to the proposed mine.

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