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FREDERICTON — Environmental groups in New Brunswick are calling for an immediate ban on uranium exploration and mining as companies continue staking large swaths of the province.
Representatives of several conservation groups say about 30 organizations have signed a statement calling for a no-uranium mining policy, similar to moratoriums already in place in Nova Scotia and British Columbia.
The New Brunswick government, however, is insisting that the economic benefits of uranium mining and exploration outweigh potential dangers to the public, and it has turned aside requests for even a temporary halt to the prospecting currently under way.
Four companies are exploring for uranium in New Brunswick, including Toronto-based Vale Inco.
Inka Milewski of the Conservation Council of New Brunswick accuses the government of putting the interests of industry ahead of the health of people.
She said that the New Brunswick government has known for years that there are dangerously high levels of radon and uranium in Harvey, N.B., southwest of Fredericton, but that no steps have been taken to inform and protect residents of the area.
