News Releases

Uranium Exploration, Mining and Milling: Setting the Record Straight

09-29

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 22, 2009

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) would like to reassure members of the public that uranium mining and milling industry is strictly regulated by the federal government to ensure the health, safety and security of Canadians and the environment.

Contrary to the misinformation that has been circulated in the Sept-Îles community of Québec, several scientific studies demonstrate that present-day uranium workers, and the public living near a uranium mine or mill, are as healthy as the general Canadian population.

Surface exploration for uranium is exempt from CNSC regulation because it poses no risk to public health and environment. Uranium exploration methods (such as drilling small core samples) do not modify the natural environment significantly. Each province or territory is responsible for regulating and monitoring exploration activities within its jurisdiction and informing the public about those activities.

Some of the misinformation circulating is out-of-date, sometimes going back to studies on mining activities in the 1940’s and 50’s, therefore misleading the public. For instance, health concerns have been raised about radon, a radioactive gas present in the air we breathe and may be present in our homes. Since uranium was first mined on a commercial basis over 50 years ago, considerable knowledge on radon has been gained and used to strengthen federal regulatory requirements to protect workers, the public and environment. Furthermore, it has been shown that uranium mining activities do not increase radon levels above background levels in the environment away from the mine site.

There have been several scientific studies on the environment that studied the impacts of uranium mining on the air, water, plants, fish and animals near mining facilities. These studies have shown that levels of radionuclides were no different around operating mine sites compared to nearby or remote reference sites.

Management of waste rock and tailings from uranium mining activities are two aspects of the industry that have considerably evolved to minimize risks to the environment. Additionally, by law, uranium mining sites must be decommissioned and restored at the end of their life. The CNSC mandates that each licensee must have adequate financial provisions to conduct this work in a safe and environmentally sustainable manner.

The CNSC is responsible for regulating and licensing all existing and future uranium mines and milling operations in Canada and would not license such a facility unless it was operating safely.

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For further information see the CNSC’s Information Update Uranium Mining: The Facts on a Well-Regulated Industry or contact:

Aurèle Gervais
Media and Community Relations
613-996-6860