Published Jun 08, 2025 • 3 minute readSean Kirby, executive director of the Mining Association of Nova Scotia: “Uranium mining today is very different from what it was when Nova Scotia banned it almost half a century ago.” Photo by Ryan Taplin /The Chronicle HeraldBy Sean KirbyModern uranium mining is a safe and environmentally responsible activity that is essential to achieving climate goals.Global experts agree that nuclear power, fueled by uranium, is key to climate goals because it provides vast quantities of emissions-free energy. Countries around the world, including Canada, have committed to tripling nuclear power generation as part of trying to achieve Net Zero.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThis will require huge additional quantities of uranium in coming years, and there are concerns about shortages.Uranium also has many other important uses. For example, it makes possible things like smoke detectors and medical equipment and procedures, such as radiation therapy treatments for cancer patients.PLENTY OF FACTSThere are many misconceptions about uranium mining so here are the facts:The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), the federal regulator of uranium mines, says, “Mining activities are safe for the health of people and the environment.”The CNSC even has a web page, called “Mythbusters,” that corrects misconceptions about uranium.Saskatchewan has been one of the top global suppliers of uranium since the 1950s. If uranium actually caused the problems that some allege, the people of Saskatchewan would tell us so. Instead, 83 per cent of them support uranium mining.Article contentIndeed, uranium mining has bipartisan support from the province’s two main political parties, the Saskatchewan Party and the NDP.In March, Chief Teddy Clark of Saskatchewan’s Clearwater River Dene First Nation called for immediate federal approval of a new Saskatchewan uranium mine because “it is a generational opportunity that is safe, environmentally sound and ready to proceed.”MINING METHODS HAVE CHANGEDClearly, there is no health, safety or environmental reason to ban uranium mining. The people who are most knowledgeable about it, support it.Uranium mining today is very different from what it was when Nova Scotia banned it almost half a century ago. Today, most uranium is mined using solution mining, in which ore is left in the ground, and the uranium is extracted by dissolving it in liquid (mostly water). The solution is pumped to the surface where the uranium can be recovered. This method results in less disturbance at surface and produces basically no tailings or waste rock.Article contentSolution mining has been done in Nova Scotia since 1947 in Nappan, Cumberland County, where a world-class salt deposit has been extracted using the process.Some people say we should leave uranium in the ground because they think – incorrectly – it is safer there. The truth is uranium naturally causes health and safety risks, such as radon gas and elevated uranium levels in our water supplies. Nova Scotia’s uranium ban prevented us learning more about our uranium deposits and how to improve public safety.ENDING BAN AN ‘IMPORTANT FIRST STEP’The Government of Nova Scotia recently repealed the province’s uranium ban. This allows the industry to do exploration and determine whether our uranium deposits are economically viable. It will also generate more data on the province’s geology which governments can use to help keep Nova Scotians safe from geohazards like radon gas and uranium in drinking water.Nova Scotia’s mining and quarrying industry employs over 3,000 Nova Scotians, mostly in rural areas, and its average total compensation is $102,000 per year.We can create more jobs, and more government revenues to help pay for programs like health and education, with government partnership. Ending the uranium ban was an important first step.Learn more about uranium at tmans.ca/uranium.Sean Kirby is executive director of the Mining Association of Nova ScotiaArticle content
COMMENTARY: Uranium mining is safe and environmentally responsible
