nuclear-news

Report on uranium mining and milling in Virginia

Highlights of  National Academy of Sciences’ report on uranium mining and milling in Virginia

Uranium report says local sites not viable Fredricksburg.com, By RUSTY DENNEN, 19 Dec 11“.……Virginia Uranium Inc.’s Coles Hill site in Pittsylvania County   is the only commercially viable site in the state. Uranium mining and processing carries with it a wide range  of
potential adverse human health risks.

A detailed assessment of both the potential site and its surrounding area (including natural, historical and social characteristics) would be needed.

It is not yet possible to predict what specific type of uranium mining or processing might apply to ore deposits in Virginia. A mining project could affect  surface water quality and quantity, groundwater quality and quantity, soils, air quality  and organisms in
the vicinity.

Because of the 1982 moratorium, the state has no experience regulating uranium mining and there is no  regulatory infrastructure. Planning should take into account all aspects of the process—including the eventual closure, site remediation and reclamation—prior to initiation of a project, and  there should be opportunities for publicinvolvement throughout.
For more on the report, nationalacademies.org —National Research Council of the National Academies http://blogs.fredericksburg.com/newsdesk/2011/12/19/uranium-report-says-local-sites-not-viable/

December 21, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | environment, Uranium, USA