PICTOU, N.S. -- The Nova Scotia government says operations at Northern Pulp will be suspended on Saturday as the mill works to bring down emission levels.

The province issued a legally binding order last August directing the paper mill in Abercrombie Point to replace its precipitator and get its air quality emissions in line by Saturday.

It says the government received word earlier this month that the company would suspend operations in order to complete the installation of the precipitator.

The government says it issued another order today that ensures operations will not resume until the precipitator is installed.

The order says the mill must submit a proposed plan for the commissioning of the precipitator and operations will not restart until the plan is approved by the Environment Department.

It says after the precipitator is commissioned, Northern Pulp will need to conduct tests within 30 days to ensure emission levels are within legal limits.

The company is then required to report the results within 30 days of the testing.