nuclear-news

Wake up call to Custer County on the dangers of in situ uranium mining

Uranium mining topic of Custer meeting Rapid City Journal. January 10, 2015   Andrea J. Cook Journal staff Opponents of a proposed uranium mining operation in southwest South Dakota are attempting to rally support in Custer County, while an Atomic Safety and Licensing Board has delayed its decision on challenges to the mining operation.

Dakota Rural Action is hosting a public-information night starting at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Custer County Courthouse Annex. Presenters will include Lilias Jarding, who is familiar with uranium and natural resources issues; Ed Harvey, a former nuclear researcher; and Bruce Ellison, an attorney for the Clean Water Alliance.

Few people in Custer County understand that Azarga Uranium Corporation’s Dewey-Burdock in situ uranium recovery operation extends into Custer County, according to Custer resident Juli Ames-Curtis. Ames-Curtis is also a member of Dakota Rural Action.

About half of the land at the Dewey-Burdock site is in Custer County, according to Jarding.

“It is important for the people in Custer County to understand what is proposed for the water and land,” Jarding said. “We’re concerned about water quality and water quantity.”

Opposition to the in situ process, which uses water injected into the ground to extract uranium, is well organized in Fall River County, but not in Custer County, she said.

“No in situ uranium mine has ever been fully restored,” Jarding said.

“People just don’t have a clue about how it will impact their lives in this county,” Ames-Curtis said………http://rapidcityjournal.com/news/local/uranium-mining-topic-of-custer-meeting/article_e7185099-325d-5938-8887-11647b38bc9a.html

January 12, 2015 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | general