Delegate raising money to keep ban on uranium mining in place

Last Updated on 07:39 PM 06/28/12 BY Danielle Vaughn

Delegate James Edmunds is taking a huge stand against uranium mining by hosting a fundraiser at his home Sept. 15 in hopes of raising $100,000 to fight the ban to lift a 30-year state moratorium on uranium mining.

Virginia Uranium Inc. in Chatham is seeking to mine and mill what’s thought to be the largest undeveloped U.S. uranium deposit at Coles Hill in Pittsylvania County.

Edmunds, a vocal member of the Virginia Coalition Group that is working to uphold the state’s moratorium on uranium mining, said the funds raised will be used to pay for lobbying and public relations efforts around the state.

No stranger to how things get done in Richmond, the delegate is focusing his efforts on raising $100,000 from this event that is expected to attract 400 to 500 people.

Edmunds said he’s working to bring in a celebrity musician that will draw a crowd to the event that also will include a catered dinner, silent auction and live auction.

It also is the delegate’s hope this event will bring more awareness to the community about the many hazards associated with uranium mining.

He said it was important to keep the ban on uranium mining because of its impact on the public.

“All the studies done on uranium mining have indicated that there is no 100 percent assurance that it can be done safely. The same thing can be said when you step outside in the morning, but the difference here is if we are wrong and our water, air, and soil get contaminated, we’re wrong forever,” Edmunds said.

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