Uranium mining moratorium should be legislated

Angela Giles
The Chronicle-Herald (Halifax)
May 30, 2008

URANIUM is a hot topic again, as it was in the 1980s when mining companies set their sights on Nova Scotia. The government of former premier John Buchanan listened to the people of Nova Scotia and, in 1982, established a de facto moratorium on the exploration and mining of uranium in the province. This moratorium has remained in place since then, but was never enacted into legislation.

Recently, an exploration company discovered uranium in the Windsor Forks area. Rodney MacDonald and his Conservative government are now considering lifting the long-standing ban on uranium mining. He and Natural Resources Minister David Morse argue that this would be good for our economy and that we need to move towards "green energy." Yet the trend is in the other direction.

British Colombia recently enacted a full moratorium, the Nunatsiavut of Labrador put in place a three-year moratorium to allow for more research to be conducted, and the state of Virginia recently affirmed a ban on uranium mining.

Many people may not know a lot about uranium, other than perhaps that it produces radiation. Because of the radiation, current regulations in Nova Scotia stipulate that when an exploration company discovers uranium of more than 100 parts per million, it must declare the find to the Department of Natural Resources and halt all exploration in the area. In terms of uses, uranium is needed for nuclear weapons, nuclear energy, depleted uranium munitions, and a minuscule amount is used for medical isotopes.

Undoubtedly, the majority of Canadians would not support mining uranium for the purpose of weapons manufacturing. And while medical isotopes are needed, we currently have all the uranium we could ever need for this purpose.

Nuclear energy has been touted as a "green" energy – a clean solution to climate change, with no CO2 emissions. Uranium is the energy source for nuclear power plants, but it is not clean, nor is it sustainable. The exploration, mining, milling and enrichment of uranium all consume fossil fuels and generate more CO2 emissions, as do the construction, servicing and decommissioning of nuclear power plants. Internationally, Germany is moving away from nuclear power, given problems with storing and disposing of the waste.

When uranium is disrupted by exploration and mining, it can leak into groundwater, contaminating water sources. When uranium is exposed to the air, it releases radon (a known carcinogen) in the form of gas, exposing miners, local communities, the environment and wildlife to toxins. These effects last much longer than any uranium mine; radiation will be emitted from uranium waste for thousands of years!

The standing committee on resources recently reaffirmed its support for the moratorium. Despite this, Minister Morse has indicated that his government would consider lifting the ban, based on three things: 1) uranium mining and exploration must be deemed safe by the scientific community; 2) it must be good for the economy; and 3) it has to be accepted by Nova Scotians as the best decision for the province.

Although Mr. Morse argues that mining is safe, he has not provided his scientific findings. He also argues that lifting the moratorium would be good for the economy; but many would agree that the long-term devastation to our environment, our health, our water and our communities outweighs any potential short-term benefits. Surely our government would not suggest we need jobs in rural Nova Scotia so badly that we should ignore the health and welfare of the exact place they are trying to help.

Finally, Mr. Morse has stated he wants to hear from Nova Scotians about this issue. It is important to let the Nova Scotia government know your views about the uses of uranium for nuclear purposes, and the longtime health and environmental effects our communities would experience if the uranium mining ban is lifted.

Now is the time to have your say.

Angela Giles is the Atlantic regional organizer with the Council of Canadians. Add your voice to their Action Alert at www.canadians.org/action/2008/23-May-08.html.