The Roanoke River Basin Association says the latest report on uranium mining in Virginia and other studies should by analyzed thoroughly over the next year before the state considers lifting a ban on mining the radioactive ore.
The association is reacting to a socioeconomic study released Thursday by RTI International. The study commissioned by the Danville Regional Foundation concludes that mining a 119-million-pound deposit in Southside Virginia comes with potential economic rewards and potential environmental risks.
While the association said Friday it had not thoroughly reviewed the latest report, it pointed to a section that stated detectable amounts of uranium would be released into the environment even if the mine and mill met regulatory standards.
Virginia has had a 30-year ban on uranium mining.
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