As Tories consider lifting uranium ban, communities voice their concerns
July 20th, 2008 | by mantrionline |The province will consider input from Nova Scotians, along with scientific research, when weighing whether to lift a moratorium on uranium mining, says a Department of Natural Resources spokeswoman.
“We’re looking to the public to see what their values are, what their concerns are, and whether they are for or against it,” Jennifer Gavin said in an interview Friday.
The province is working on developing a new mineral strategy and recently completed a series of provincewide public meetings as part of that three-year process.
The Mining Association of Nova Scotia, which represents 150 companies, is arguing for the moratorium to be lifted.
That has raised alarm bells for environmental groups who want a permanent, legislated ban in place.
Chester has passed a motion requesting a permanent ban on uranium mining in the province. The Municipality of West Hants is also discussing it.
And Kings County council next month will consider a recommendation from its committee of the whole to ban uranium mining in the county.
At least six Kings County councillors are on record as supporting the resolution.
“I would ban it right now if I could,” said Coun. Barry Peterson. “The uranium down in the ground is safe where it is.”
The issue is also expected to be on the agenda for the September meeting of the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities.
But mineral resources fall under the jurisdiction of the province, not municipalities.
Natural Resources Minister David Morse has said the moratorium, put in place in 1982, would only be lifted if it can be proven uranium mining can be done safely, and if it would benefit the province’s economy and the majority of Nova Scotians.
The McLeave inquiry concluded back in 1985 that it can be mined safely.
And the fact that mining companies are spending millions of dollars more in mineral exploration in New Brunswick and Newfoundland, provinces where uranium mining is permitted, shows it would be an economic benefit.
Some companies won’t mine in Nova Scotia because, under the moratorium, they must stop exploration activities if they come across uranium at more than 100 parts per million.
So the voice of Nova Scotians will play an important role in the outcome, along with the scientific evidence, said Ms. Gavin.
“People have very strong opinions about uranium mining one way or the other. . . .We’re very interested to hear what municipalities and the public think.
“What we’re trying to do is encourage an informed debate,” she said. “Our department will be a source of information for anyone who wants it. We have expertise and there’s a lot of information available about uranium mining.
“But we’re hoping . . . to bring people to the table on both sides of the issue so there can be many different informed values.”
She added, “But when it comes down to it, if Nova Scotians aren’t comfortable with it and it isn’t something that they want, that will be something that the minister takes into account when creating a new mineral strategy.”
