B.C. public concerned about moratorium

British Columbia’s minister of energy, mines and petroleum resources, Jack Davis, has responded to public concerns regarding the government’s decision to permit British Columbia’s uranium moratorium to expire.

The minister released a series of questions and answers which address the is sues most often raised by the public. The answers make clear that:

* the government has no intention of considering nuclear power as an energy option for British Columbia;

* because of a current oversupply of uranium on world markets, and because British Columbia’s uranium deposits are low in grade, there is little likelihood of any significant uranium exploration or development when the moratorium expires Feb 28, 1987;

* if uranium exploration or mining is proposed at some future time, all appropriate safeguards will be put in place to protect the public, the workers and the environment, before any development is permitted;

* in the meantime, the province’s mines inspectors continue to monitor and regulate all mineral exploration and development in British Columbia.