Subcommittee reviews proposed uranium study draft

TIM DAVIS/Star-Tribune EditorWednesday,
March 25, 2009 9:26 AM EDT

The Virginia Coal and Energy Commission subcommittee studying the dangers and benefits of uranium mining voted unanimously Tuesday to proceed with a tentative draft of the study's objectives.

Dr. Michael Karmis, a professor in the Department of Mining and Minerals Engineering and director of the Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, presented the proposed study draft to the Uranium Mining Subcommittee in Richmond.

Karmis has been reviewing information from two earlier public hearings, including one in Chatham, and will work with the National Academy of Sciences before presenting a final draft of the study to the subcommittee in 30 to 60 days.

"This tentative scope is a framework for a comprehensive study," said Del. Don Merricks, who traveled to the state capital Tuesday to speak to the subcommittee.

"By design it's broad to allow the subcommittee to expand it if they need to.

At least it gives them a starting point."Del. Danny Marshall of Danville and Sen.

Robert Hurt of Chatham also addressed the subcommittee."I'm pleased with what's been done so far," said Marshall.

"I think the questions they have brought forth are good. My questions now are what do we do next and what's the time line."

Marshall also believes it's important to look at the safety of uranium mining first, a point made by subcommittee member Del. William R. Janis of Glen Allen.

"He hit the nail on the head," said Marshall.

"It's about the safety of our citizens. Whether uranium is selling for $1 or $1,000 an ounce doesn't make any difference."

Hurt described the study draft as a "working document" and said the subcommittee still wants input from citizens.

Once approved, the study is expected to take about two years.

Merricks said questions remain about who will pay for the study, which could cost $1 million.

The subcommittee meeting was open to the public, and residents were given time to speak.

Katie Whitehead, chairman of the Dan River Basin Association Mining Task Force, said the study should first answer the basic question of whether it is safe to live near uranium mining and milling.

"We should ask the National Academy of Sciences upfront to consider the health issue," she said.

"If the necessary epidemiological studies have not been done, we don't need to get into the technical aspects of mining engineering and the global market for uranium.

We should not be lured by potential benefits if we do not have sound scientific evidence to evaluate potential risks."

Whitehead also is a member of the Halifax Chamber Uranium Study Group, which produced a lengthy and detailed report on uranium mining that was presented to the subcommittee.

She warned that the National Academy of Sciences may not be able to determine whether uranium mining is safe by reviewing scientific studies because the necessary research has not been done to determine the health risks of exposure to heavy metals from living near uranium operations.

Del. Lee Ware of Powhatan is the subcommittee's chairman. Members include Del. Watkins Abbitt of Appomattox, Sen. John Watkins of Midlothian, Del. William R. Janis of Glen Allen, Del. Charles W. Carrico Sr. of Galax, Sen. Phillip P. Puckett of Tazewell, Del. Clarence E. Phillips of Castlewood, Del. Kristen J. Amundson of Fairfax County, Sen. Frank Wagner of Virginia Beach and Harry D. Childress.

Childress, a citizen member on the Coal and Energy Commission, is the former head of the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy.

Abbitt was a member of the original commission that studied uranium mining in the 1980s.

The commission's chairman, Del. Terry Kilgore of Scott County, also serves on the subcommittee as an ex-officio member.

Pittsylvania County is home to one of the largest uranium deposits in the United States.

The Coles Hill uranium deposit, about six miles northeast of Chatham, was discovered in the early 1980s.In 2007, the Coles and Bowen families, who own the ore, formed Virginia Uranium Inc. in hopes of mining the uranium, which at that time was worth between $8 billion and $10 billion.

Before the deposit can be mined, however, the General Assembly would have to lift Virginia's moratorium on uranium mining, which has been in place since 1982.

The Uranium Mining Subcommittee held a public hearing at Chatham High School in early January to receive input on the study. More than 400 people attended the meeting.

The study objectives are "to assess the scientific and technical aspects of uranium mining, milling and processing in Virginia and associated environmental, human health, safety and regulatory issues."