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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1, 2013
Northerners to oppose relicensing Cameco’s uranium operations
LA RONGE, Sask. —Northern Saskatchewan residents will formally express their opposition to license renewals for uranium mining and milling projects at Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) hearings in La Ronge this week.
“The world is waking up to the fact that this is a failed industry, environmentally and economically,” says Debbie Mihalicz, a Beauval resident and co-founder of the Committee for Future Generations. “Every day that one of Cameco’s uranium mines is in operation, an even greater volume of extremely hazardous nuclear waste is created that will remain radioactive for a million years. It’s time to put a stop to the destruction of the lands and waters we call home.”
The Committee for Future Generations and individual members of English River First Nation and Lac La Ronge Indian Band are among a host of intervenors scheduled to present oral submissions to the federal regulator regarding the relicensing of Cameco’s Key Lake, McArthur River and Rabbit Lake operations.
“It’s worth noting that the agenda also includes English River First Nation, Des Nedhe Development, Pinehouse Business North and Kineepik, an alleged Métis local whose validity has been contested in a Statement of Claim filed in court. But they are all tied to the recent collaboration agreements Cameco and Areva made with English River First Nation and Pinehouse, mandating support for existing operations,” says Candyce Paul, an English River First Nation band member.
“Formal opposition to a license at these hearings would breach the agreements, jeopardizing contracts, jobs and funds. Our communities are being railroaded into becoming cheerleaders for industry,” says Paul.
“The effect of uranium mines on Indigenous rights is undeniable,” says Kirstin Scansen, a member of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band and graduate student of the University of Victoria’s Indigenous Governance program. “Cameco’s operations – and the licensing and relicensing processes themselves – are taking place within a larger context of Canadian settler-colonialism, exploitative resource extraction, and dispossession of Indigenous territory.”
Scansen, Paul, Mihalicz and Committee for Future Generations members from English River First Nation and the northern village of Pinehouse will also be present at a press conference on October 2 at 7pm at the Anglican Parish Hall, where the Sierra Club will present its findings of massive excess emissions from Cameco mining operations.
CONTACT:
(English) Candyce Paul, 306-288-3157; Kirstin Scansen, 604-839-1302; Debbie Mihalicz, 306-288-7933
(Cree) Dale Smith, 306-884-7718
(Dene) Marius Paul, 306-288-3157
http://committeeforfuturegenerations.wordpress.com/2013/10/01/northerners-to-oppose-relicensing-camecos-uranium-operations/
Canada:
British Columbia
On April 24, 2008, British Columbia imposed a ban on uranium exploration.> View regulatory issues On February 27, 1980, the B.C. Minister of Mines had announced a seven-year moratorium on the recording of mineral claims for the purpose of uranium exploration and the development of uranium deposits on existing claims. The moratorium expired in 1987.
British Columbia uranium exploration ban
B.C. uranium ban should stay, First Nations leader says: The president of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs does not believe the provincial moratorium on uranium mining should be lifted. "The Okanagan Nation Alliance has always been opposed to uranium exploration and mining, as has the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs," Grand Chief Stewart Phillip told the Straight by phone today (May 30). "We've never supported uranium exploration and mining, and we've always supported those groups and communities that have opposed exploration and mining. And we certainly support a continuation of the moratorium." (The Straight May 30, 2011)British Columbia strengthens position against uranium development: Following a request by the Province's Environment and Land Use Committee, the lieutenant-governor in council has issued an order-in-council to prevent permits from being issued for uranium and thorium exploration and development in British Columbia. The order-in-council, issued under the Environment and Land Use Act (ELU Act), complements the policy position issued by the government of British Columbia in April 2008 that it would not support the mining of uranium in British Columbia. This order-in-council will support that position by preventing the issuance of a permit for the exploration of uranium or thorium, or exempting a person from the requirements for such a permit. (Star Journal March 16, 2009) British Columbia bans uranium exploration: British Columbia shut the door on exploring for radioactive minerals on April 24, 2008, saying companies cannot claim rights to them even if the discovery is by accident. The western Canadian province does not have uranium mines, but several companies have been doing exploration work and the mineral can be found when looking for other resources. British Columbia said has revised its mining rules to prohibit companies from staking claims for uranium and thorium even when it is discovered as part of a broader project. (Reuters Apr. 24, 2008)
> View news release April 24, 2008
(BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources) Québec
On March 28, 2013, Québec imposed a moratorium on uranium development in the province, until an impact study is completed> View regulatory issues : Quebec imposes moratorium on uranium development: http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=12224
Strateco stock plummets on Quebec uranium mining moratorium: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/energy-and-resources/strateco-stock-plummets-on-quebec-uranium-mining-moratorium/article10616593/
Virginia Energy Comments on Quebec Uranium Study: http://www.virginiaenergyresources.com/s/NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=578295&_Type=News-Releases&_Title=Virginia-Energy-Comments-on-Quebec-Uranium-Study
http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=9134
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia has had a moratorium on uranium exploration and mining since 1982. If a company finds uranium in concentrations greater than 100 parts per million, it must report those results and stop digging.> View regulatory issues
Nova Scotia politicians back uranium mining ban: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/nova-scotia-politicians-back-uranium-mining-ban-1.716463
Nova Scotia Politicians Back Uranium Mining Ban
CBC News - An all-party committee of the Nova Scotia legislature has reaffirmed its support for the province's moratorium on uranium mining.The standing committee of resources passed the motion unanimously Tuesday after a two-hour presentation by the province's main mining association on why the ban should be lifted
http://www.pej.org/html/print.php?sid=7261
The James Bay Cree Nation enacts permanent uranium moratorium in James Bay territory
Waskaganish, Eeyou Istchee, (August 9, 2012) ---The James Bay Cree Nation has declared a Permanent Moratorium on uranium exploration, uranium mining and uranium waste emplacement in Eeyou Istchee, the James Bay Cree territory. The permanent moratorium was enacted unanimously by the Annual Cree Nation General Assembly in Waskaganish.
USA 
Navajo Nation
On April 29, 2005, Navajo Nation President Joseph Shirley Jr. signed the Diné Natural Resources Protection Act of 2005 that outlaws uranium mining and processing on the Navajo reservation.> View regulatory issues
Grand Canyon area, Arizona
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar formally signed a 20-year moratorium on new uranium and other hard rock mining claims on a million acres of federal lands around the Grand Canyon on January 9, 2012.> View current issues
Hualapai Tribe
The Hualapai Tribal Council has voted to ban uranium mining on its Tribal lands which are located near the Grand Canyon in Arizona.> View current issues
Virginia
Uranium mining has been barred in Virginia by a 25-year-old moratorium.> View current issues
Denmark 
/
Greenland doesn't allow any uranium mining or prospecting to take place on the island.
Ireland 
Uranium prospection licenses denied in Donegal
Australia 
South Australia
South Australia has proclaimed a mining ban for the Arkaroola region of the Flinders Ranges.Victoria
The Nuclear Activities (Prohibitions) Act 1983 prohibits exploration and mining for uranium.> View Uranium Mining Legislation Bibliography
New Zealand 
Under a 1996 minerals programme, prospecting, exploration and mining of uranium are no longer permitted. > View Uranium Mining Legislation Bibliography
The James Bay Cree Nation enacts permanent uranium moratorium in James Bay territory
Waskaganish, Eeyou Istchee, (August 9, 2012) ---The James Bay Cree Nation has declared a Permanent Moratorium on uranium exploration, uranium mining and uranium waste emplacement in Eeyou Istchee, the James Bay Cree territory. The permanent moratorium was enacted unanimously by the Annual Cree Nation General Assembly in Waskaganish.
New Brunswick (Canada) bans Uranium Mining
timestranscript.com (Moncton), March 2, 2011
The Canadian Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) has been in New Brunswick talking about the possibility of establishing an underground nuclear waste site in this province. That's a waste of time and money.
New Brunswickers have made their feelings crystal clear on all things nuclear related in this province. They do not want a nuclear waste storage site nor do they want uranium mining, period, end of discussion. Premier David Alward himself leaves no doubt: "We are not pursuing a nuclear waste site anywhere in this province."
Namibias moratorium on uranium exploration licences remains in place
The Ministry of Mines and Energy's moratorium on the issuing of uranium exploration licences in Namibia remains in place after a legal challenge to a decision taken in terms of the policy was dismissed in the High Court in Windhoek on Friday (Feb. 11). (Namibian, Feb. 15, 2011)
Green Party wants Ban on Uranium Mining in Finland
The Green League's party council is calling for a ban on uranium mining in Finland. "Bad decisions on nuclear power plants are now getting a follow-up with uranium mines. This madness simple has to be brought to an end," says Green MP Erkki Pulliainen.Pulliainen added the view that a few years of mining operations are not worth ruining the reputations of Kainuu and Lapland as travel destinations. The Greens intended to oppose uranium mining on both the local and national level.
Greenland's Zero-Tolerance-Policy towards Uranium Mining still in place
After some confusion around a Greenland multi-element mine, the Greenland Government confirmed that its "zero tolerance policy" toward uranium mining is still in place.
IPPNW'S World Congress calls for a 'Global Ban on Uranium Mining'
IPPNW held a 1-day pre-congress to their 2010 annual world-congress in Basel, Switzerland, "Sacred Land - Poisoned Peoples / Indigenous Peopeles and Uranium Mining".
Delegates to the pre-congress released a joint statement calling for an end to all uranium mining and processing, irresponsible radioactive waste management, nuclear power and nuclear weapons.
Moratorum and Mining of Uranium: Nova Scotia/Canada
A moratorium on exploration and mining of uranium in Nova Scotia will be made law.
The province introduced legislation today, Oct. 14, to entrench a uranium ban that had been in effect since 1981.
Declarations of Arusha and Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
In October 2009, Tanzanian NGO's in cooperation with European NGO's organized the Tanzania Uranium Awareness Campaign 2009, starting with a conference in Arusha and ending with a 2-day conference in Dar Es Salaam.
During both conferences, participants expressed major concerns about the possible dangers of uranium mining coming to their country, and at the final conference in Dar Es Salaam a statement was issued.
Hualapai Tribe Renews Uranium Mining Ban (Arizona/USA)
September 18, 2009, Associated Press
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — The Hualapai Tribe has renewed a ban on uranium mining on its land near the Grand Canyon, joining other American Indian tribes in opposing what they see as a threat to their environment and their culture.
Declaration de bakara / N'Djamena / Chad
In September 2009, a 'Workshop of reflection and Training on Uranium Exploitation' was held in Bakara, just outside N'Djamena, the capital of Chad, in the face of the fact that a variety of uranium mining companies had started to explore for uranium in the sub-Sahara region countries.
Participants from Chad, Cameroon, Centralafrican Republic (CAR / RCA) and Niger attended.
After the one-week-workshop, they issued the "Declaration de Bakara".
The Declaration was made publicly at a media conference in N'Djamena.
Government renews Uranium Mining Ban in British Columbia/Canada
The Province will not support the exploration and development of uranium in British Columbia and is establishing a “no registration reserve” under the Mineral Tenure Act for uranium and thorium, Minister of State for Mining Kevin Krueger announced today.
Labrador Inuit vote for uranium mining ban
Labrador's Nunatsiavut government narrowly passed a controversial bill Tuesday that prohibits uranium mining on Inuit-owned land for three years.
The moratorium, which passed 8-7, goes into effect immediately and will stay in place until March 31, 2011 when it will be revisited, according to a news release.
The ban applies to the working, production, mining and development of uranium in Nunatsiavut, the land settlement area in northern Labrador. However, the Nunatsiavut government said it will still allow uranium exploration, and is willing to work with mining companies while the ban is in place.
Uranium Mining Ban in New Brunswick ... not in place yet
City council in Moncton, N.B., voted unanimously Monday night to call on the province to ban all uranium exploration and mining in New Brunswick.
The Liberal Government of New Brunswick defeated a ban on uranium mining in New Brunswick. Environmental groups continue to struggle for a ban.
Futher information:
CBC News - Moncton wants N.B. to ban uranium mining
New calls for uranium mining ban in New Brunswick
CBC News - Moncton wants N.B. to ban uranium mining
New calls for uranium mining ban in New Brunswick
Ban on Uranium Mining in Virginia / USA since 1981 (!)
The state of Virginia / US has a current moratorium on uranium mining in place since 1981. It can be lifted only if the Virginia General Assembly enacts enabling legislation to allow for development of regulations to mine uranium.
Indigenous World Uranium Summit: Worldwide Ban on Uranium Mining, Processing, Enrichment etc.
Window Rock, Navajo Nation, USA, 2 December 2006
In December 2006, an Indigenous World Uranium Summit was held in Window Rock, Dineh (Navajo) Reservation, Arizona, USA, one of the areas severely contaminated by uranium mining from the past.
Participants issued a Declaration and 'demand a worldwide ban on uranium mining, processing, enrichment, fuel use, and weapons testing and deployment, and nuclear waste dumping on Native Lands.'
Dineh (Navajo) Nation outlaws Uranium Mining (USA/Arizona)
Window Rock, Navajo Nation, Arizona, USA, 22. April 2005
The Navajo Nation has outlawed uranium mining and processing on its reservation, which sprawls across parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah and contains one of the world’s largest deposits of uranium ore.
