(October 2, 1992) World Uranium Hearing, Salzburg, Austria, 13-19 September 1992
Uranium Capital of the World
Northern Saskatchewan, Canada is now mining the largest volume of uranium of any place on this planet. Northern Saskatchewan has the highest concentration of uranium bearing ore found anywhere. If new proposed uranium mines proceed, Saskatchewan will soon be producing about 30% of world production. Almost all of this uranium (about 90%) is exploited to the US, Europe, and the Far East. Companies from Canada, France, Germany. Japan, and South Korea are presently involved in this mining.
In recent years the uranium industry in Saskatchewan has allied with Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. to promote research on the construction of CANDU nuclear reactors in Saskatchewan and storage of reactor waste in northern Saskatchewan.
New Mines and Government Inquiries
The new social democratic provincial government - the New Democratic Party (NDP) - came to power in 1991 with a partv policy opposing new uranium mines, and supporting the phase-out of the three existing mines with the provision of alternative employment in the north. When the NDP took office, six new mining projects were already in the advance planning stage. These projects involve 12 new uranium mines and four new uranium mills.
In response to growing pressure for an open public review on these projects, there are now two federal-provincial inquiries in place.
In addition to contamination from day to day operation, there have been over W0 radioactive soils at the mines sincc 1980. Indigenous people have gotten very few and only short-term jobs. The province has received a pittance of royalties. The inherent aboriginal rights of Indigenous people have steadily been ignored or dismissed. Concerns grow about the north becoming another sacrificial area for the nuclear industry.
After intense pressure, the new government finally canceled an AECL agreement to investigate nuclear reactors and nuclear waste disposal. It seems, however, prepared to accept the new mines and mills. Great pressure is being exerted on elected officials by the uranium industry. There will be an attempt to reverse Saskatchewan NDP policy by the pro-nuclear lobby at the NDP convention 6 November 1992.
Urgent Appeal
We urgently appeal to you to help stop uranium mining in Saskatchewan. We want to redirect our province and country onto the path of peace and a non-nuclear future. The health and well being of future generations and all life around the earth depends on this. We therefore ask all participants in the World Uranium Hearing to write to newspapers in Saskatchewan and the Premier and government of Saskatchewan to encourage them not to permit any new mines, to close existing ones, to develop alternative jobs in the north and use an energy strategy based on efficiency and renewable energy.
Please emphasize any implications of Saskatchewan uranium in your region. Discuss how this uranium is being used in nuclear reactors in your country that are unsafe and creating waste problems. Letters to the Canadian and Saskatchewan media protesting that Saskatchewan is considering more uranium mining would also be helpful.
Please take the time to write a short letter quickly to any or all of the addresses below. It is important that a copy be sent to the Inter-Church Uranium Committee to insure the letters are made public.
Premier Roy Romanow, and copy to
All Members of the NDP Caucus
Legislative Building, Regina, Sask.,
CANADA S4S 0P3
Tel. 306-787-0880 or 787-9433
Fax: 306-787-0885
Inter-Church Uranium Committee,
Box 7724, Saskatoon, Sask.,
CANADA S7K 4R4
Tel. 306-934-3030. Fax 306-652-8377.
Globe and Mail
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Prince Albert Herald
Prince Albert, Sask., Canada.
La Ronge Northener
La Ronge, Sask., Canada.
Moose Jaw Times Herald
Moose Jaw, Sask., Canada
Saskatoon Star Phoenix
5th Ave. North
Saskatoon, Sask., Canada
Regina Leader Post
Victoria Ave. and Park St.,
Regina, Sask., Canada.