Setting The Story Straight On Uranium

— In the wake of recent calls for a moratorium on uranium exploration in Quebec, the following is an open letter signed by 22 Quebec mining professionals who are “upset by attempts to manipulate public opinion against the uranium industry and the mining industry in general.”

We feel it is necessary to re-establish a level of accuracy and transparency in the current debate about uranium. We remind you of the following facts:

1. The richest uranium mines in the world are located in Canada, and Canada is one of the largest uranium producers in the world. Modern mines are operated as open-pit and underground operations without particular damage to local populations or the environment. Recent studies prove it.

2. Life expectancy in Saskatchewan, which produces 20% of the world’s uranium, is the same as in any developed country, whether or not it produces uranium. These mines generate thousands of safe, well-paid jobs. They favour harmonious development of aboriginal communities. This industry benefits from consistent, widespread public support, regardless of changes in government.

3. Like all industries, the uranium industry is regulated. The regulations are federal and provincial, and are destined to protect the public and the environment. The regulatory agencies are independent. They have the authority to suspend or permanently block a project that would be dangerous for the public or the environment. No mine is built if it could potentially have a harmful effect on the public or the environment.

4. Radioactivity and radon are natural phenomena that occur everywhere, with or without a uranium mine. The standards in effect allow radioactivity and radon progenies to be controlled and the negative effects to be fully suppressed, in mines and in the immediate vicinity of deposits. Health and safety measures regulating the uranium industry in Canada have long demonstrated their efficiency.

5. An exploration project does not automatically mean that there will be a mine, despite all the money invested. A very limited number of exploration projects reach the commercial production stage, and only after the completion of extremely rigorous technical, economic and environmental studies.

6. Nuclear energy does not contribute to the greenhouse effect. Many environmental activists consider it to be part of the solution to global warming. More than 80 countries have already grasped this. The waste produced represents a minute volume for which long-term technological solutions exist.

7. Mining industry professionals are scientists and members of professional organizations like the Ordre des ingenieurs du Qubec and the Ordre des geologues du Qubec. They are subject to a stringent code of ethics. They cannot act against the public interest.

8. Quebec’s public health department, through the Agence de la sant et des services sociaux de la Cte-Nord, has jurisdiction in this matter. It has concluded that uranium exploration is of no danger whatsoever to the public.

9. The uranium industry contributes to the sustainable development of Quebec’s regions. It leads to the development of technical and scientific expertise that is beneficial for the future and that contributes to economic prosperity, while respecting environmental imperatives.

10. Uranium and radioactive isotopes play a key role in our daily lives: cancer detection and treatment, smoke detectors, elimination of deadly bacteria, electricity, etc. Some people capitalize on fear and ignorance by spreading misleading or outdated information. These manipulation attempts aside, every citizen has the right to inquire and to receive accurate, responsible and transparent information about uranium.

— Paul Archer, engineer, M. Sc., vice-president exploration, Virginia Mines, former president of the Quebec Mineral Exploration Association

Robert Bryce, engineer, B. Sc. and MBA, former president of the Quebec Mining Association

Peter J. Cashin, geologist, M. Sc., president and CEO, Quest Uranium

Philippe Cloutier, geologist, president and CEO, Cartier Resources

Christian Derosier, geologist, M. Sc., D. Sc., Apella Resources, former president of the Quebec Mineral Exploration Association

Jean Descarreaux, geologist, PhD, former president of the Quebec Mineral Exploration Association Nicolas Fehrenbach, MBA, president and executive director, AREVA Quebec

Marco Gagnon, geologist, M. Sc., president and CEO, Adventure Gold, former president of the Quebec Mineral Exploration Association

Andr Gaumond, engineer, M. Sc., president and CEO, Virginia Mines, former president of the Quebec Mineral Exploration Association

Marie-Jos Girard, geologist, M. Sc., president and CEO, Dios Exploration

Yves Harvey, engineer, PhD, outgoing president of the Quebec Mining Association

Guy Hbert, B. Sc., MBA, president and CEO, Strateco Resources

Youcef Larbi, geologist, Ph. D., chief geologist and CEO, Cree Mineral Exploration Board

Michel Leclerc, engineer, president of the Quebec Mining Association

Jean-Marc Lulin, geologist, PhD, president and CEO, Azimut Exploration

Glenn J. Mullan, geologist, chairman, president and CEO, Golden Valley Mines

Ghislain Poirier, engineer, M. Sc., Stornoway Diamond, president of the Quebec Mineral Exploration Association

Grald Riverin, geologist, PhD, president and CEO, Cogitore Resources, former president of the Quebec Mineral Exploration Association

Sean Roosen, president and CEO, Osisko Mining

Yves Rougerie, geologist, M. Sc., president and CEO, Abitex Resources

Gregg Sedun, LLB, chairman and CEO, Uracan Resources

Mackenzie Watson, engineer, president and CEO, Freewest Resources Canada