Uranium
Uranium - Overview
Jun 04 2009Canada is the largest exporter of uranium ore in the world. Northern Saskatchewan is home to all of Canada’s uranium mines. Roughly half of the supply of uranium comes from mining; the balance comes from decommissioned nuclear weapons.
Uranium is mined in open pit and underground mines, sometimes along with copper and gold, and also by in-situ leaching. In-situ leaching requires pumping acid or alkaline solution underground and trying to recover the resulting solution once it contains enough uranium.
Ontario’s New Mining Act Leaves Gaping Holes
Jan 05 2010Extensive revisions to Ontario’s Mining Act were approved by Queen’s Park on October 21, 2009, and received royal assent a week later. The new Act follows commitments made by Premier McGuinty to “modernize” the Act and strike a balance between the diverse interests that are affected by and involved in the sector. Though another round of consultations took place as part of the legislative process while the bill was under Committee review, few substantive changes have been made since the bill was introduced in the spring.
Nova Scotia Legislates Uranium Ban – Sort Of.
Jan 05 2010On November 3, 2009, the Nova Scotia government passed a bill called the Uranium Exploration and Mining Prohibition Act. The purpose of the act is to “prohibit exploration for or mining of uranium in order to protect the health and safety of Nova Scotians and the quality of their environment.” MiningWatch commends the government of Nova Scotia for taking the initiative to legislate the moratorium that has been government policy since 1981.
MiningWatch to Examine Quebec Uranium Project
Jan 05 2010MiningWatch has applied to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency for funds to participate in the review of the environmental assessment of Quebec’s most advanced uranium project. The Matoush Project is located in north-central Quebec near Mistissini, 550 km north of Montreal and within the area covered by the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement between the Quebec Cree and the federal and provincial governments.
Innu, Doctors, Elected Officials, Local Residents Oppose Uranium Exploration on North Shore of Quebec
Dec 11 2009One of MiningWatch Canada's fundamental principles is that mining activiities, including exploration should only occur with the support of local communities. Our uranium policy also calls for a moratorium on new uranium projects.
Uranium Still A Hot Topic Across Canada
Jan 02 2009Ardoch Algonquin First Nation Statement on Uranium Issue
Nov 28 2008In early December Ardoch Algonquin First Nation, along with our Neighbours, Shabot Obaadjiwan First Nation entered into mediated negotiations with Ontario to resolve the underlying issues that led to direct action at the Robertsville site. While Ardoch cannot speak for Shabot Obaadjiwan, Ardoch Algonquin people entered into the negotiation process with cautious optimism that this process might lead to actual discussions that would address the illegitimacy of the mining claims and land use permits issued by Ontario's Mining and Northern Development and Natural Resources.
State of Mine: The Dominion Newspaper's Special Issue on Mining
Nov 17 2008"State of Mine, An Investigation of Canada's Extractive Industries", a special edition of The Dominion Newspaper, was published in November 2008 and is now available online.
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MiningWatch Canada Policy Statement on Uranium Mining
Dec 11 2007MiningWatch Canada takes the position that there should be a total moratorium on uranium exploration and new uranium mines across Canada. The conditions that would alter this position are stringent and unlikely to be met by the industry any time soon, if ever. MiningWatch Canada will continue to support communities seeking to clean up existing contamination and/or trying to monitor and enforce the strictest protective measures at uranium mine and mill sites.
Environmental Commissioner of Ontario Calls for Major Overhaul of Mining Act
Dec 04 2007[News release] Ontario should amend the Mining Act to provide for consultation with First Nations when granting mining claims and leases and stop treating public lands as freely open to mineral exploration, according to Ontario’s Environmental Commissioner, Gordon Miller.
