

Currently released so far... 12900 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/08
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
2011/05/13
2011/05/14
2011/05/15
2011/05/16
2011/05/17
2011/05/18
2011/05/19
2011/05/20
2011/05/21
2011/05/22
2011/05/23
2011/05/24
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Consulate Karachi
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
AE
ASEC
AS
AR
AMGT
AFIN
AORC
AU
AG
AF
APER
ABLD
ADCO
ABUD
AM
AID
AJ
AEMR
AMED
AL
ASUP
AN
AIT
ACOA
ANET
ASIG
AA
AGMT
AINF
AFFAIRS
ADANA
AY
AADP
ARF
ACS
AGR
AMCHAMS
AECL
AUC
APEC
APECO
AFGHANISTAN
ACAO
ASEAN
ADM
AGAO
AND
ADPM
ATRN
ALOW
AROC
APCS
AORG
AO
AODE
ACABQ
AX
AMEX
AZ
ARM
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
ACBAQ
AFSI
AFSN
AC
ASEX
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
ASCH
AFU
AMG
ATPDEA
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AORL
BR
BO
BA
BM
BL
BH
BK
BEXP
BILAT
BTIO
BF
BU
BD
BY
BE
BG
BB
BBSR
BT
BRUSSELS
BP
BX
BC
BIDEN
BMGT
BWC
BN
BTIU
CA
CS
CO
CD
CR
CPAS
CDG
CI
CDC
CBW
CU
CVIS
CE
CONS
CH
CMGT
CASC
CY
CW
CG
CJAN
CIDA
CODEL
CWC
CIA
CBSA
CEUDA
CFED
CLINTON
CAC
CL
CACS
CIC
CHR
CAPC
CM
CT
CTR
COM
CROS
CN
COPUOS
CV
CF
CARSON
CONDOLEEZZA
CICTE
CYPRUS
COUNTER
COUNTRY
CBE
CKGR
CVR
COUNTERTERRORISM
CITEL
CLEARANCE
COE
CARICOM
CB
CSW
CITT
CACM
CDB
CJUS
CTM
CAN
CLMT
CBC
CNARC
CIS
EFIN
ECON
ETRD
EAID
EC
EU
EUN
EINV
EG
ETTC
EIND
ELAB
EAGR
ECIN
EINT
ENRG
EFIS
ELTN
EAIR
EPET
EZ
ET
ENERG
ECPS
EWWT
EI
ETRN
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EEPET
EUNCH
ER
ES
EN
EMIN
ESENV
ENNP
ENGR
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ENVI
ECINECONCS
ELN
EFTA
ELECTIONS
ENVR
EXTERNAL
ENIV
ESA
EPA
ETRO
ETRDECONWTOCS
EUR
ECUN
EXIM
EK
EUREM
ECONOMY
EUMEM
ERNG
EFINECONCS
EAIDS
ECA
ETRC
EINVEFIN
ETC
EAP
EINN
ECONOMIC
EXBS
ENGY
ECONOMICS
EIAR
EINDETRD
ECONEFIN
EURN
EDU
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ECIP
EFIM
EREL
EINVETC
ECONCS
ETRA
EAIG
EUC
ERD
IQ
IR
IS
IN
IA
IC
IZ
ICRC
ID
IDA
IT
IO
IAEA
ICJ
ICAO
IV
IBRD
IMF
IAHRC
IWC
ILO
ISLAMISTS
IGAD
ILC
ITU
ITF
INRA
INRO
ICTY
INRB
ITALY
IBET
IL
INTELSAT
ISRAELI
IMO
IDP
ICTR
ITRA
IRC
IRAQI
IEFIN
IPR
IIP
INMARSAT
ITPGOV
ITALIAN
INTERNAL
IRS
INTERPOL
IEA
INR
ISRAEL
IZPREL
IRAJ
IF
ITPHUM
IACI
INDO
KPAO
KMDR
KCOR
KNNP
KJUS
KCRM
KDEM
KVPR
KTFN
KPRP
KTIP
KSCA
KSUM
KTEX
KIDE
KIRF
KV
KTIA
KN
KG
KFRD
KWMN
KUNR
KISL
KU
KGHG
KPKO
KOMS
KPAL
KIPR
KMCA
KOMC
KRVC
KSEP
KAWC
KOLY
KWBG
KACT
KFLO
KHIV
KZ
KGIC
KBCT
KDRG
KBTR
KCFE
KE
KHLS
KMPI
KAWK
KPWR
KIRC
KRAD
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFLU
KPLS
KRIM
KSTH
KDDG
KPRV
KICC
KS
KSAF
KBIO
KREC
KCGC
KCIP
KTDB
KWAC
KPAI
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFSC
KSTC
KMFO
KID
KNAR
KMIG
KVRP
KNEI
KGIT
KNSD
KHDP
KSAC
KWMM
KR
KCOM
KAID
KENV
KVIR
KHSA
KO
KCRS
KPOA
KTER
KFIN
KSPR
KTBT
KX
KCMR
KMOC
KCRCM
KBTS
KSEO
KOCI
KNUP
KPAONZ
KNUC
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KSCI
KTLA
KCSY
KTRD
KMRS
KNPP
KJUST
KRCM
KCFC
KCHG
KREL
KFTFN
KLIG
KDEMAF
KGCC
KICA
KHUM
KSEC
KPIN
KESS
KDEV
KPIR
KWWMN
KOM
KWNM
KRFD
KRGY
KIFR
KWMNCS
KPAK
MARR
MOPS
MUCN
MCAP
MNUC
MEPP
MTCRE
MASS
MO
MIL
MX
MAS
MEDIA
MAR
MI
MQADHAFI
MPOS
MTCR
MK
MG
MA
MY
MU
ML
MPS
MW
MD
MARAD
MC
MR
MT
MTRE
MASC
MRCRE
MAPP
MZ
MP
MOPPS
MTS
MLS
MILI
MEPN
MEPI
MEETINGS
MERCOSUR
MCC
MIK
MAPS
MV
MILITARY
MDC
MASSMNUC
NI
NZ
NL
NO
NPT
NATO
NS
NU
NP
NPA
NSFO
NDP
NT
NW
NASA
NSG
NE
NORAD
NAFTA
NG
NATIONAL
NSSP
NV
NSF
NK
NA
NEW
NPG
NR
NGO
NIPP
NZUS
NH
NC
NRR
NAR
NATOPREL
NSC
OIIP
OPRC
OTRA
OEXC
OREP
OSCE
OVIP
OPAD
OBSP
OECD
OFFICIALS
OAS
OPDC
ODIP
OPCW
OES
OFDP
OPIC
OCS
OIC
OHUM
OSCI
OVP
ODC
OIE
OTR
OMIG
OSAC
OFDA
ON
OCII
PREL
PINR
PGOV
PARM
PE
PTER
PHUM
PO
PINS
PREF
PK
PM
POL
PBTS
PNAT
PHSA
PAS
PA
PL
PGIV
PHUMPREL
POGOV
PAK
PEL
PROP
PP
PINL
PBT
PTBS
PG
PINF
PRL
PALESTINIAN
PSEPC
POSTS
PAHO
PHUMPGOV
PGOC
PNR
PREFA
PMIL
POLITICS
POLICY
PROV
PBIO
PREO
PAO
PDOV
PGOF
POV
PCI
PRAM
PSI
POLITICAL
PAIGH
PJUS
PARMS
PROG
PTERE
PRGOV
PORG
PS
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PPA
PINT
PMAR
PRELP
PNG
PFOR
PUNE
PGOVLO
PHUMBA
POLINT
PGOVE
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PDEM
PECON
PY
PLN
PHUH
PF
PHUS
PU
PARTIES
PCUL
PGGV
PSA
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
RU
RS
REGION
REACTION
REPORT
RO
RW
RCMP
RSO
RP
RM
ROOD
RFE
RICE
ROBERT
RSP
RF
RELATIONS
RIGHTS
RIGHTSPOLMIL
RUPREL
SENV
SY
SNAR
SCUL
SP
SF
SW
SOCI
SU
SMIG
SO
SA
SR
SZ
SI
SC
SEVN
SN
STEINBERG
SK
SH
SNARCS
SPCE
SARS
SNARN
SG
SL
SYRIA
SIPRS
SAARC
SNARIZ
SWE
SYR
SEN
SCRS
SAN
ST
SIPDIS
SSA
SPCVIS
SOFA
SENVKGHG
SANC
SHI
SHUM
TU
TSPA
TBIO
TS
TRGY
TINT
TPHY
TN
TW
TH
TZ
TSPL
TP
TBID
TI
TF
TD
TT
TNGD
TL
TC
THPY
TIP
TX
TV
TK
TERRORISM
TO
TRSY
TURKEY
TFIN
TAGS
TR
UK
UNSC
UNGA
UNESCO
UNHRC
UP
UN
USTR
US
UNDC
UY
UNICEF
UNDP
UNMIK
UNAUS
UNCHC
UNCSD
USOAS
UNFCYP
UG
UNIDROIT
UNO
UV
UNHCR
UNEP
USEU
UZ
UNCND
USUN
UNCHR
USNC
USPS
USAID
UE
UNVIE
UAE
UNODC
UNCHS
UNFICYP
UNDESCO
UNC
UNPUOS
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 08HALIFAX36, URANIUM MINING IN ATLANTIC CANADA: PROTESTS VERSUS PROFIT
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #08HALIFAX36.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
08HALIFAX36 | 2008-05-28 11:59 | 2011-04-28 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Consulate Halifax |
VZCZCXRO4856
RR RUEHGA RUEHQU RUEHVC
DE RUEHHA #0036/01 1491159
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 281159Z MAY 08
FM AMCONSUL HALIFAX
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1283
RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA 0529
INFO RUCNCAN/ALL CANADIAN POSTS COLLECTIVE
RHMFIUU/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
RUEHHA/AMCONSUL HALIFAX 1371
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 HALIFAX 000036
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/CAN AND EB/ESC/IEC
USDOE FOR IA (DEUTSCH)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EMIN ENRG ETRD PGOV PHUM CA
SUBJECT: URANIUM MINING IN ATLANTIC CANADA: PROTESTS VERSUS PROFIT
REF: A. 07 OTTAWA 001201; B. HALIFAX 0013
HALIFAX 00000036 001.2 OF 003
-------
SUMMARY
-------
¶1. Considering there is a vociferous and devoted anti-uranium
lobby in Canada's Atlantic Provinces, it appears unlikely that
the region will be joining the world uranium club any time soon.
There are identified commercial quantities of uranium in three
of the four provinces that could be developed to meet growing
global demand for fuel for nuclear power plants. However,
mining companies have run up against government bans and hostile
citizen groups which could keep the uranium in the ground.
Although this is not the stated policy of any of the governments
involved, politicians are faced with weighing the cost of either
saying no to the anti-uranium forces or to the companies that
want to invest millions in their jurisdictions. END SUMMARY
--------------------------------------------- ---------------
OVERVIEW: URANIUM MINING (OR THE LACK OF) IN ATLANTIC CANADA
--------------------------------------------- ---------------
¶2. Skyrocketing prices and increasing global demand for clean
energy sources have sparked much interest in Atlantic Canada's
uranium deposits. Except for Prince Edward Island which has
only trace amounts of uranium, there are known commercial
quantities in the other Atlantic Provinces:
Newfoundland-Labrador, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. The full
size of these deposits is still being determined, but several
companies are keen to start planning for development. At
present there is no mining underway in the region. If the
anti-uranium forces get their way, there never will be.
¶3. Environmentalists, conservationists and a slew of community
and farming groups in each of the provinces have mounted vocal
protest campaigns against mining companies and business leaders
who want to realize the economic potential from the resource.
Coming down in the middle in the debate are the respective
provincial governments and one newly-established aboriginal
government. So far the politicians have walked a fine line
between the two sides: acknowledging the concerns of the
anti-mining forces, while at the same time endorsing the
industry's assertions that modern technology has lessened the
potential environmental and health impacts of uranium mining.
While the debate shares these commonalities across the region,
the situation in each province is unique and has forced each
government to come up with its own strategy for dealing with the
issues.
--------------------------------------------- ---------------
NEWFOUNDLAND-LABRADOR - STYMIED BY A NEW REGIONAL GOVERNMENT
--------------------------------------------- ---------------
¶4. The Labrador region of the province holds the most promise
of any potential uranium development in Atlantic Canada. Since
2005 Aurora, a private company owned by Vancouver and St. John's
interests, has been exploring in what is known as the Central
Mineral Belt of Labrador, part of the newly designated Inuit
territory of Nunatsiavut. (Detailed information about the
location and Aurora's activities is available on the company's
web site www.aurora-energy.ca). In 2006 the company identified
a substantial amount of uranium at two locations on the Belt,
Michelin and Jacques Lake. The company followed up those
discoveries with another drilling program in 2007 which saw four
additional satellite deposits identified. Aurora estimates that
the combined deposits contain 133 million pounds of uranium,
making the area one of the largest deposits outside
Saskatchewan, the province where all of Canada's active uranium
mines are currently located (Ref A).
¶5. Aurora's original development plan called for the company to
begin the regulatory process by the end of 2007 with an expected
start-up date in 2014. However, after a spirited backlash from
the Inuit community, the company postponed filing its plan in
order to provide residents more information on how it would deal
with the problem of drilling waste. But before they could
provide the information, the issue ended up with the Members of
the Territorial Assembly, who were forced to act to stop a
growing rift between those wanting a ban on uranium activities
and those wanting to see the multi-million dollar economic
benefits accrue to the region from mining the ore. The Assembly
failed to resolve the issue. On April 8 the members voted eight
to seven in favor of implementing a three-year moratorium on
uranium mining in the territory, but in consideration of the
exploration activities already underway, the moratorium only
targets development, not exploration.
¶6. The Nunatsiavut government officials plan to use the
HALIFAX 00000036 002.2 OF 003
moratorium to develop expertise on how to evaluate the impact of
such a large scale project. According to our local contacts,
however, the Assembly could revisit the issue before the end of
the moratorium, especially given the narrow margin of the vote.
Aurora is pledging to work collaboratively with government and
community leaders on assessing the impact of a development
program, which could go a long way in addressing the concerns of
the anti-mining side. For its part, the Newfoundland-Labrador
provincial government is not getting involved in the issue other
than to endorse the Nunatsiavut assembly's right to enact the
ban under the terms of its establishment in 2005. They also
stress that the current federal and provincial regulatory
regimes (which would still apply to any development plan) are
stringent enough to ensure that any drilling project will get a
full environmental assessment.
--------------------------------------------- ------
NOVA SCOTIA - UNDER PRESSURE TO SCRAP A 25-YEAR BAN
--------------------------------------------- ------
¶7. The province of Nova Scotia has had a moratorium on uranium
exploration and mining since 1982, when a small but influential
protest group convinced the government of the day to stop a
company from mining in a location in central Nova Scotia.
Subsequently, world uranium prices slumped and the issue
remained dormant until 2005 when a new local company called
Tripple Uranium Resources (www.capellaresources.com) started
prospecting on acreage near the abandoned site. Despite having
the word "Uranium" in its name, the company (a subsidiary of
Vancouver-based Capella Resources) asserts that it is not
looking for uranium at all, but iron ore, copper and gold. In
fact, the company readily acknowledges that under the terms of
the 1982 ban, it will have to stop its exploration work if it
encounters any mineral deposits exceeding 100 parts per million
of uranium.
¶8. Coincident with the resurrected interest in uranium was the
revival of the anti-uranium protestors who are now asking the
question of what will happen to the ban if Tripple hits a large
amount of uranium. The protestors allege that Tripple is
already pressuring the provincial government to lift the ban in
anticipation of finding commercial quantities of uranium. The
government has made no secret that senior officials have met
with Tripple representatives, but as one of our senior
government contacts told us officials are always willing to meet
with any company interested in developing the province's mineral
resources. For now the government's policy is an expressed
desire that both sides engage in an informed debate on the
issue; however, an all-party committee of the provincial
legislature recommended that the government maintain the ban.
The committee recommendation reinforces the lobbyists' position
that the government should enshrine the ban in legislation.
Currently it is contained in a cabinet decision which mining
opponents assert could be easily be rescinded.
--------------------------------------------- ----------------
New Brunswick - Demands for a Ban in a Nuke-Friendly Province
--------------------------------------------- ----------------
¶9. Tripple Uranium is also one of the companies involved in
uranium exploration in New Brunswick, along with CVRD-Inco. The
two companies are in competing prospecting activities in
southern New Brunswick. Both are keeping the results of their
respective exploration programs secret for proprietary reasons,
but the anti-uranium forces in that province have already
started pushing the provincial government for a ban on further
exploration and future development. That appears unlikely given
the province already has signed exploration agreements with the
companies involved. Furthermore, New Brunswick has the region's
only nuclear power station and is actively considering building
another one (Ref B). Nonetheless, the government is attempting
to respond to the opposition forces by holding public
information sessions beginning in June. That announcement on May
8 did little to placate the lobbyists who have already condemned
the province for deciding to hold the sessions after various
exploration programs are already underway.
-----------------------------------
COMMENT - OH THE POLITICS OF IT ALL
-----------------------------------
¶10. In the end it will no doubt be politics, not exploration
results, which will determine the speed of development of the
region's uranium resources. As our senior Nova Scotia
government contact commented, there is a certain political
timidness in governments even talking about these issues, and
for good reason. Any government leader who comes down on the
wrong side of the issue could expect to pay a heavy political
HALIFAX 00000036 003.2 OF 003
price at the ballot box. On the other side, companies have
already invested millions of dollars in exploration work so far
and will want to do more than just look at prospecting results.
Also, the governments are cognizant of how barriers to uranium
development might be perceived in the mining industry as a
whole, given that there is growing demand for the region's other
minerals.
¶11. For the immediate future, areas to watch will be: how
Aurora fares in its consultative work with the Nunatsiavut
Assembly in Newfoundland-Labrador and if that will result in
another vote on a ban; whether there are any moves to make Nova
Scotia's ban permanent; and in New Brunswick, how the government
fares in its upcoming information sessions. As these events
unfold, they should shed some light on when Atlantic Canada
might be joining the world uranium club, if at all. END COMMENT
FOSTER