Decades after they were abandoned, some historical mines across Nova Scotia are set to be cleaned up starting next year.

Gold, coal, gypsum and limestone are among the rocks and minerals that were mined in the 19th and 20th centuries before there were environmental regulations. Toxic tailings were left behind, and continue to stand in the way of natural regeneration of the land.

"You do see it creeping in, but it would probably take a couple hundred years for Mother Nature to regrow and re-establ…