Uranium Mining in Uranium Mining in VirginiaVirginia

Peter L. deFur, Ph.DPeter L. deFur, Ph.DESC, LLCESC, LLC

Environmental Studies at VCUEnvironmental Studies at VCUNRC Study Committee memberNRC Study Committee member

Summary and highlights

From the NRC report

And

My Own Perspective

FIGURE 3.6 Distribution of Middle to Late Proterozoic granites and gneisses of the Blue Ridge belt, together with complexly deformed mylonites, shear zones, and cataclasites. SOURCE: modified from Lassetter (2010).

FIGURE 3.4 Aeroradiometric map of Virginia showing the concentration of uranium (eU) in the top few centimeters of rock or soil, derived by reprocessing National Uranium Resource Evaluation (NURE) Program aerial gamma-ray data. SOURCE: Kucks (2005).

Fig. 6.2 Waste management (tailings) at JEB pit, McClean Lake in Sasketchewan

Figure 4. Contribution of various sources to individual total radiation exposure (from NCRP 2009)

Figure 7.1 Average groundwater use in Virginia by category 2003 – 2007 (2008_AWRR). Manufacturing includes operations such as paper mills, food processors, drug companies, furniture, and concrete companies; Public water supply includes municipal and private water purveyors; Agriculture includes operations such as commodity farms, fish farms and hatcheries; Irrigation withdrawals are used to promote growth in crops such as tobacco, corn, soybeans, turf grass, and ornamental nursery products; Commercial operations include golf courses, local and federal installations, hotels, and laundromats; Mining includes operations such as sand, rock, and coal companies

Manufacturing47%

Public Water Supply

37%

Agriculture8%

Irrigation4%

Commercial3%

Mining1%

Manufacturing

Public Water Supply

Agriculture

Irrigation

Commercial

Mining

Streams are sensitive to salts, sediment, shade, temperature and flow

Terrestrial and aquatic life may be affected by discharges and runoff. With annual average rainfall of 43 inches for the state and 45 inches in Danville, water will be an issue.

Issues- my own reflectionsIssues- my own reflections

$, not public service or benefit$, not public service or benefit Greatest unknownsGreatest unknowns Risks, not assessmentRisks, not assessment Virginia is neither ready nor capableVirginia is neither ready nor capable

Questions?Questions?