Group from Halifax to Participate in Anti-Uranium Rally in Richmond
Halifax, VA--
"We The People of Virginia Incorporated" is a group based in Halifax, that opposes lifting the ban.
They're preparing for an anti-uranium rally in Richmond on Monday, and they're taking two bus loads to Capitol Square.
Chairman of the group, Jack Dunavant said lots of people want to join them in the rally. He believes that's because more people are now beginning to form their opinion on the issue.
The group's major concerns are about how uranium mining could negatively effect the environment.
They said their main reason for going to Richmond is to support the legislators that want to keep the ban, and let others know they won't go down without a fight.
"It poisons the air and it poisons the water, both of which we have to have in abundant supply for growth and prosperity," Dunavant said.
"It's going to be a good opportunity for legislators to actually see that these are people that are hard working folks that have taken a day off from their job to come and add their voice because this is something they feel very passionate about," Dan Elam said.
We're told there will be people from Richmond, Virginia Beach and North Carolina joining them in the rally.
http://www.wset.com/story/20718304/group-from-halifax-to-participate-in-anti-uranium-rally-in-richmond
Keep The Ban on Uranium Mining in VA
Keep the Ban Lobby Day! Our plans for Monday! 1. We hope you are coming to VCN Conservation Lobby Day, 8:30 AM. 2. If you can't make it all day, then please join us at 11 AM outside the General Assembly Bldg (9th and Grace Sts) as we line the sidewalk from the General Assembly Building to the Statehouse to Demonstrate our opposition to uranium mining!
MSV opposes lifting the ban on uranium mining
25 January 2013
This session legislators are considering lifting Virginia’s thirty-year ban on uranium mining. A bill sponsored by Sen. John Watkins, SB 1353, would establish a process for permitting uranium mining at Coles Hill in Pittsylvania County. Del. Jackson Miller has introduced a companion measure, HB 2330. Many physicians are closely watching these bills out of concern over the potential adverse health effects of uranium mining.
In 2008, the Medical Society of Virginia’s (MSV) House of Delegates established the following policy for the society:
MSV Policy 440.029 – Uranium Mining in Virginia: The Medical Society of Virginia supports continuing the moratorium on uranium mining in Virginia until there is satisfactory evidence that it will not constitute a public health hazard.
As part of its assessment of this year’s legislation, MSV also reviewed a 2011 report from the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), “Uranium Mining in Virginia” (Dec. 19, 2011). The NAS reported noted the following:
Severe weather events, which are frequent in Virginia, “have the potential to lead to the release of contaminants if facilities are not designed and constructed to withstand such an event, or fail to perform as designed.”
As part of its assessment of this year’s legislation, MSV also reviewed a 2011 report from the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), “Uranium Mining in Virginia” (Dec. 19, 2011). The NAS reported noted the following:
Severe weather events, which are frequent in Virginia, “have the potential to lead to the release of contaminants if facilities are not designed and constructed to withstand such an event, or fail to perform as designed.”
Upon review of the scientific literature and the legislation, MSV will oppose lifting the moratorium on uranium mining. MSV has joined the Commonhealth VA coalition, a multi-stakeholder group opposing lifting the ban on uranium mining.
SB 1353 will be heard by the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee next week. Leaders in the House of Delegates have signaled that they will not consider the House bill until the Senate acts on its measure.
http://www.msv.org/MainMenuCategories/MemberCenter/PressRoom/News/2013/MSV-opposes-lifting-the-ban-on-uranium-mining--.aspx
An inversion covers downtown Salt Lake City.
Utah Pollution Fighters Sue Kennecott Over Mining Dust
January 9, 2012
Clean air groups are making good on a promise to sue Kennecott Utah Copper over air pollution.
The groups say Kennecott is kicking up too much dust at its Bingham copper mine and should curtail operations.
They say Kennecott is violating the federal Clean Air Act even though Utah’s pollution regulators have allowed the company to significantly ramp up mining production.
The federal lawsuit was filed on Dec. 19, 2011, by Utah Moms for Clean Air, Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment and WildEarth Guardians.
The Utah doctors say Kennecott is responsible for a third of the air pollution throughout Salt Lake valley.
Finland: Talvivaara environmental disaster goes on and on
Last updated: Nov 30, 2012 • 10:24 am No Comments
Talvivaara is listed in London.
Thousand kilogrammes of uranium in soluble form on the terrain: massive risk to health and the environment
Even the visible state of the land around the mine reveals the extent of the disaster at Talvivaara. At least 100 hectares (approx 250 acres) of marshland, streams, lakes and ponds have been polluted by the discharges of waste waters containing uranium and heavy metals. Through heavy application of lime up to a thousand kilogrammes of liquid uranium has accumulated as sediment in the grounds and vegetation of the area. See http://www.stoptalvivaara.org/fi/release27112012.html.
Talvivaara postpones mining restart at Finland plant
Nickel miner Talvivaara postponed the restart of mining in Sotkamo, Eastern Finland by half a year to mid-2013, raising concern over its future metals production. The Finnish company, which pioneered a technique to extract nickel using bacteria, has been hit by a series of problems in the past year, including waste water leakage, production disruptions and the death of a worker. See http://www.mineweb.com/mineweb/content/en/mineweb-fast-news?oid=164319&sn=Detail.
Chronology of the latest incidents, starting from the latest (third) gypsum pond leak, at http://www.stoptalvivaara.org/fi/newsstream.html.
Summary in English can be found at http://www.helladelicious.com/blog/stories-and-news/2012/04/talvivaara-a-fin nish-environmental-crime-company/.
Thousand kilogrammes of uranium in soluble form on the terrain: massive risk to health and the environment
Even the visible state of the land around the mine reveals the extent of the disaster at Talvivaara. At least 100 hectares (approx 250 acres) of marshland, streams, lakes and ponds have been polluted by the discharges of waste waters containing uranium and heavy metals. Through heavy application of lime up to a thousand kilogrammes of liquid uranium has accumulated as sediment in the grounds and vegetation of the area. See http://www.stoptalvivaara.org/fi/release27112012.html.
Talvivaara postpones mining restart at Finland plant
Nickel miner Talvivaara postponed the restart of mining in Sotkamo, Eastern Finland by half a year to mid-2013, raising concern over its future metals production. The Finnish company, which pioneered a technique to extract nickel using bacteria, has been hit by a series of problems in the past year, including waste water leakage, production disruptions and the death of a worker. See http://www.mineweb.com/mineweb/content/en/mineweb-fast-news?oid=164319&sn=Detail.
Chronology of the latest incidents, starting from the latest (third) gypsum pond leak, at http://www.stoptalvivaara.org/fi/newsstream.html.
Summary in English can be found at http://www.helladelicious.com/blog/stories-and-news/2012/04/talvivaara-a-fin nish-environmental-crime-company/.
Talvivaara: Environmental Disaster in Finland
UPDATE 22/11/2012: Talvivaara spill goes on! New leackage found in safety dam!
Since November 4, 2012[1] a cocktail of poisonous chemicals leaked from the Talvivaara mine in Eastern Finland to the surrounding rivers and lakes. An investigation of the Finnish Environment Institute found high levels of aluminium, cadmium, nickel, uranium and zinc in the released waste waters.
In a big demonstration led by people from Eastern Finland on November 14, 2012 about 1,000 people demanded to close the mine. A petition with some 18,000 signatures[2] was handed over to the Minister of Environment.[3] The number of signatures is still increasing - as of November 18 about 20,000 people signed the petition[4]. At the same time a small rally took place in Oulu.
Only during the first day of the disaster, over 220,000 cubic metres of waste water have leaked from a gypsum waste pond at the Talvivaara mine in Kainuu. Some of the water has spilled to an area outside the mine.[5]
Since that day the leakage continued for at least ten days.
The operator of the mine tried for weeks to close the leak[6]. On November 8 they announced to have blocked a leak at its gypsum pond. Only half a day later a new leakage was reported.[6] The same happened again with the "all-clear" message of November 14th, when it was announced again the leakage was eventually blocked - one week later the safety dam was reported to leak again[7]. It is estimated that over 10,000 kilos of nickel and unknown amounts of uranium escaped the mine[6].
According to the Kainuu Employment and Economic Development Centre the gypsum pond was not supposed to be used for storing waste waters, and that there had not been any special permit for that. On November 8, Minister of Environment Ville Niinistö called the leak a "serious environmental crime".[6]
Since years local people had accused Talvivaara to have extracted hundreds of tons of uranium a year without permission.[8]
For several days the Talvivaara company was not able to locate the site of the leak[9]. Since the beginning of the catastrophe, the mine has discharged hundreds of thousands of cubic metres of toxic effluent into the nearby environment[10]. According to a local newspaper some 4,000 cubic metres of waste water escaped the Talvivaara mine per hour[11]. Greenpeace called it "Finland's biggest chemical catastrophe in history"[1].
The mine has leaked heavy metals like cadmium and nickel into its surroundings and nearby lakes. The uranium concentration in the effluent has risen by 100-200 times its normal level in the bottom and surface waters.[10] Military and civil helicopters were in operation to plug the leaks in the waste water dam. "Helicopters are used to dump neutralizing calcium into the waste water, as well as moving concrete and patching material to leakages" explained the news company YLE. Some 150-200 people were busy to block the leaks and to build a safety dam, said Talvivaara Head of Communications Olli-Pekka Nissinen.[12] Also soldiers from the Kainuu Brigade and local volunteer fire fighters were involved to the rescue activities[13].
According to the Finnish authorities, "pollutants in nearby waterways are at levels that may cause the death of fish and affect plants and bottom-dwelling organisms". Although the the Finnish Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority claimed the released uranium would not pose a threat to neither environment nor humans, they at the same time admitted it to be a potential health risk when it makes its way into drinking water.[14]
Chair of the parliament’s Environment Committee Matti Korhonen said on November 14 authorities should prevent the mine from resuming operations[15].
On November 13, 2012, it was reported that STUK had detected uranium levels in water samples at 350 microgrammes per litre, while the recommended limit is 100 microgrammes.[16]
The company's operation at the Talvivaara mine were shut down after the disaster.
Though the company appealed to the authorities to receive a permission for re-starting the business, officials stated this would not happen soon. First investigations have to be taken to understand the causes of the catastrophe and to investigate on the violations of law committed by the company.[17]
Such an inspection by the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) and Kainuu centre for Economic Development,Transport and the Environment (KAIELY) took place on November 19, 2012[18] - a delegation of independent observers was prevented from joining the inspection[19].
November 22, People's Movement for the Lakes and Rivers informed about a new leakage found in the safety dam. According to them, Talvivaara Mining Company Plc started emergency liming with help of two helicopters dropping the lime from 300-500 kg containers.
People's Movement for the Lakes and Rivers reported again the Lumijoki river carrying a foul stench and a strong odour of sulphur out in the terrain; the color of the flowing water down below from the dam was described to be alarming as in the beginning of the gypsum pond leak: brownish dark yellow.
KAIELY played down the incident speaking about "seeking" which wouldn't be seen as a threat. Eventually the government admitted the new leak. People's Movement for the Lakes and Rivers criticized the government's perspective of a "stabilized situation", as it was obviously since the beginning that the "safety dam" and the "back-up pond" wouldn't provide a "stabilized situation".[20]
At least 100 hectares (approx 250 acres) of marshland, streams, lakes and ponds have been polluted by the discharges of waste waters containing uranium and heavy metals. Through heavy application of lime up to a thousand kilogrammes of liquid uranium has accumulated as sediment in the grounds and vegetation of the area. The uranium and the heavy metals such as nickel are about to enter the Vuoksi water system, where they could contaminate 1,000 million cubic metres of water over the level of environmental danger.[21]
And finally, a chronological set of news in English from HS (Helsingin Sanomat – Finnish newspaper) and YLE (Finnish national broadcast network) detailing the history of these unfortunate events:
2007
- Environment Minister Discloses Links to Government-Sponsored Mining Project
- Minister Denies Knowledge of Insider Trading
- Lehtomäki Explains Mine Share Purchases
- Value of Talvivaara shares linked with world price of nickel
- Talvivaara’s estimate on mineral resources rises by more than 50 per cent
- Environment Minister Cleared of Insider Trading Suspicion
- 2011
- Talvivaara Signs Uranium Deal With Cameco
- Decline in nickel prices depresses Talvivaara mine outlook
- Talvivaara mine dismisses health and environmental claims
- State has ownership interest in Talvivaara emissions investigation
- Hacker group “Anonymous” threatens Finnish mining company
- Environment Minister faults lax supervision over Talvivaara mine
- Officials admit failures in oversight of Talvivaara mine
- Chemicals from mine contaminate lake – “Sea conditions” in inland lake
- Neighbours complain about dust and odours from Talvivaara mine
- Police investigation into emissions from Talvivaara mine
- Environment minister sees no wrongdoing in supervision of Talvivaara mine
- 2012
- Talvivaara mine to stop waste water emissions into environment
- Government green lights Talvivaara uranium extraction
- Government votes to grant Talvivaara Mining Company permit for extraction of uranium
- Protesters picket Talvivaara Mining Company general meeting
- Salty water not to be removed from lakes near Talvivaara mine
- Sample collector dies at troubled Talvivaara mine
- Hydrogen sulphide frequent problem near Talvivaara mine
- Nelonen: Police investigate Talvivaara environmental impact report
- Sulphate emissions vastly understated in environmental impact study for Talvivaara mine
- Activists take Talvivaara uranium decision to Supreme Court
- Authorities delay Talvivaara uranium permit
- Demonstrators protest against Talvivaara mine
- Lakes near Talvivaara mining complex serving as drains for sulphate emissions – Two Finnish MEPs appeal to Commission over continued toxic emissions
- Dead birds found at Talvivaara mine
- Emissions from Talvivaara mining complex could hurt Sotkamo tourism – Higher sulphate levels found in lakes by Vuokatti resort
- Environment Minister lashes out at “arrogant” mining companies
- Indications of poisoning detected in dead birds found in Talvivaara
- http://www.helladelicious.com/blog/stories-and-news/2012/04/talvivaara-a-finnish-environmental-crime-company/
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A group of Utah doctors is declaring a health emergency over the Salt Lake City area's lingering air pollution problem.
Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment planned to deliver a petition Wednesday demanding immediate action by elected officials.
The group wants Gov. Gary Herbert and mayors of northern Utah cities to cut the pollution.
The doctors suggest lowering highway speed limits, making mass transit free for the winter and curbing industrial activities. They want a permanent ban on wood-burning. And they want large employers to let people work from home.
The doctors are advising people to avoid the outdoors. They say people can help their bodies fight toxic exposure by introducing anti-oxidants in their diet, like fish oil or chocolate.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/23/salt-lake-city-air-pollution_n_2534949.html