NBers still concerned over uranium

Comment: Sounds like our problem and our county!

Low prices, new regulations, public backlash have reduced exploration

FREDERICTON - Uranium exploration in the Metro Moncton area is all but dead and buried, according to high-ranking officials in the Department of Natural Resources.

But roughly one year after the public backlash over uranium exploration hit a fever pitch, the implementation of tougher regulations and tumbling uranium prices haven't washed away the concerns of people living in southeastern New Brunswick.

Indeed, local stores in Cocagne and Grande-Digue sold out of anti-uranium exploration lawn signs as recently as last week.

The combination of a public backlash, plummeting mineral prices and new government regulations have cooled the uranium exploration that was taking place last year throughout the province.

According to the Department of Natural Resources' assistant deputy minister responsible for minerals, Cecil Freeman, another spike in mineral prices could bring a rush of mining companies back to the province, as it did a quarter of a century ago and again last year.

Natural Resources officials told a committee of MLAs yesterday that uranium prices reached as high as $136 a pound in 2007, which represents a significant increase over the 2002 price of $10 a pound. In October of last year, prices had dropped to $48 a pound.

But even if and when mining companies do return en masse, Freeman says dense population levels around Metro Moncton, which have virtually crippled potential exploration activities in this area, will likely discourage mining companies from focusing on setting up in this area.

"There is no exploration right now in the Moncton area," said Freeman, noting that there are only three areas still being actively explored for uranium in the province: northeastern New Brunswick, and the Plaster Rock and Harvey areas.

"The closer you get to the City of Moncton, if you take the watershed out, and you take the towns and cities and villages out, and you put a 300-metre circle around every house, there isn't much land except very awkward pieces."

But Kent South Conservative MLA Claude Williams said citizens are still concerned.

"There is still the same level of concern today as there was one year ago," said Williams.
"People are just as vigilant."

Williams said he was concerned by comments made by deputy minister Tom Reid who said uranium is "just another mineral" in the eyes of his department.

"When we hear the deputy say that uranium is just another mineral, it raises concerns," said Williams. "If the officials of this government have information that suggests New Brunswickers shouldn't be concerned about uranium, they can come out and tell New Brunswickers."

Reid said he did not intend to suggest his department doesn't take uranium exploration seriously, but didn't back away from his comments. "I apologize if we are giving that impression that we are not concerned about uranium and New Brunswickers and the environment. Uranium is just another mineral."

Reid said his department is comfortable with the regulations that are currently in place. He said the current process provides government with enough information to make a decision that is in the public's interest.

Freeman said there was an important element missing in the debate over uranium mining that raged over much of last year because there was no proposed site that could provide solid data and answers to public questions.

He said the public's negative response to mining exploration discouraged many mining companies from continuing their activities in the province.

However, he said the mining industry is still aware that New Brunswick is open for business.

"Some of those would have been hurt by this who put up money and feel they can't go where they thought they could go, but generally we were just at a national show, and they are not talking bad about us," said Freeman.

Freeman said mining companies could have calmed public sentiment toward uranium exploration if they had faced the New Brunswickers at public meetings instead of leaving the task to government officials.

But Williams said it is the government's responsibility to answer public questions because it licenses and regulates the mining industry.