HALIFAX (CP) -- A Nova Scotia legislature committee is unanimously calling on the government to examine whether a ban on uranium exploration can be rewritten to avoid discouraging other mining activities.
The moratorium currently requires mining exploration to stop if uranium concentrations of greater than 100 parts per million are detected at a site.
After hearing two hours of testimony from the mining industry, the New Democrats introduced a motion at the Natural Resources Committee today calling for a continuation of the moratorium on mining the radioactive mineral.
However, Graham Steele's resolution also called on the government to do a public, scientific study on whether the current policy can be changed so that it doesn't discourage other mining activities.
Gordon Dickie, president of the Mining Association of Nova Scotia, told committee the moratorium is preventing millions of dollars worth of exploration for other metals in Nova Scotia.
He says often companies don't explore in the province because they fear they'll accidentally encounter the radioactive mineral.
