The Ecology Action Centre is celebrating the provincial government’s announcement that the Archibald Lake area in Guysborough County is Nova Scotia’s latest protected area.

Included in the new wilderness area are Archibald, McDonald and Rocky lakes plus nearly 300 hectares of old hardwood forest.

According to a release, EAC senior wilderness coordinator, Raymond Plourde says they’re happy to see Australia’s St. Barbara gold mining shut out from the Archibald Lake area, but he doubts the company is going to give up.

Plourde adds it doesn’t matter what the company does or how long it takes, Nova Scotians will never allow a massive open-pit gold mine next to the St. Mary’s River.