The Roanoke River Basin Association says the latest report on uranium mining in Virginia and other studies should be analyzed thoroughly over the next year before the state considers lifting a ban on mining the radioactive ore.
The association is reacting to a socioeconomic study released Thursday by RTI International. The study commissioned by the Danville Regional Foundation concludes that mining a 119-million-pound deposit in Southside Virginia comes with potential economic rewards and potential environmental risks.
While the association said Friday it had not thoroughly reviewed the latest report, it pointed to a section that stated detectable amounts of uranium would be released into the environment even if the mine and mill met regulatory standards.
Virginia has had a 30-year ban on uranium mining.
Virginia Uranium released a statement in response to Danville Regional Foundation's report.
Here it is:
Virginia Uranium welcomes the RTI socioeconomic study released today. The study clearly shows the
tremendous economic benefits the Coles Hill project will bring to the Southside region and should instill
confidence in Southside residents that necessary safeguards and regulations will be in place to protect
their health, safety and the environment.
The RTI study demonstrates that regulatory safeguards and best practices widely adopted by the
industry have proven quite successful at preventing negative environmental or public health impacts at
uranium mining and milling operations in the U.S. and other countries.
Echoing Chmura’s findings, the RTI study illustrates the tremendous positive economic impact the Coles
Hill project will have on the Southside region and communities across Virginia. According to the RTI
study, the project will create 559 - 1,008 jobs during the 3-year construction phase and 385 - 889 jobs
during most of the operational phase.
These jobs figures are enormously positive news for the Southside region and the thousands of
hardworking men and women who have seen their jobs disappear from the region over the last decade.
So too is RTI’s forecast of the $70 million - $138 million economic boost our project will bring to the
Southside economy each year during the construction phase and the $81 million - $220 million of
economic activity our project will stimulate each year during the operational phase. This is a golden
opportunity for Southside’s economy and businesses across our region.
Virginia Uranium takes very seriously the concerns expressed in the study by community residents
about the need for clear, effective communication of the steps our company will take to protect the
environment and public health. From day one, our company has been committed to building the safest
uranium mining and milling operation in the world. The RTI study identifies a clear path to achieving
this mission. As we move forward, we will continue to demonstrate our commitment to protecting the
health and well-being of the Southside community.
