Phillip Penna
November 16, 1992
URGENT APPEAL FROM SASKATCHEWAN, CANADA.
YOUR HELP IS NEEDED.
Uranium Capital of the World
Northern Saskatchewan, Canada is now mining the largest volume of
Uranium anywhere on this planet. Northern Saskatchewan has the highest
concentration of Uranium bearing ore found to date. If new proposed Uranium
mines proceed, Saskatchewan will soon be producing about 30% of world
production. Almost all this Uranium (about 90%) is exported to the US,
Europe and the Far East. Companies from Canada, France, Germany, Japan and
South Korea are presently involved in this mining. Note: approximately 50%
of the Uranium processed at Sequoyah Fuels in Oklahoma (US) comes from
Saskatchewan.
Since the opening of the mines in 1980 there have been, in addition to
contamination from day to day mine operation, over 100 radioactive spills.
Indigenous people have received very few and only short-term jobs. The
province has received a pittance of royalties. The inherent aboriginal
rights of indigenous peoples have steadily been ignored or dismissed.
In recent years the Uranium industry in Saskatchewan has allied with
Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. (AECL) to promote research on the construction
of CANDU nuclear reactors in Saskatchewan and storage of high level nuclear
waste in Northern Saskatchewan.
Concerns grow about North Saskatchewan becoming another National
Sacrifice Area for the nuclear industry.
New Mines
The new social democratic provincial government - the New Democratic
Party (NDP) - came to power in 1991 with a party policy opposing new
Uranium mines, and supporting the phase-out of the 3 existing mines with
the provision of alternative employment in the north. When the NDP took
office, 6 new mining projects were already in the advance planning stage.
These projects involve 12 new Uranium mining sites and 4 new Uranium mills.
In response to growing pressure for an open public review on these
projects, there are now two federal provincial inquiries in place.
At the NDP convention, November 6, 1992, the party changed it's
position on Uranium mining by a slim margin of support. The NDP has held a
position opposing the expansion of Uranium industry since 1983. The NDP
will now allow new mines to be opened depending on the results of the
Federal Provincial Review Panel. Although the guidelines for the panel are
better than previous inquiries, they do not include end uses of Uranium.
This has clear implications for the international community.
An article in the Saskatoon Star Phoenix of November 12 indicates that
a deal between AECL and the government will be signed within weeks. The
deal will include research for the CANDU-3 reactor, food irradiation
technology, medical uses of radiation, and very likely high level nuclear
waste disposal in the Canadian shield. The deal may also include a Uranium
refinery. In 1980 a Uranium refinery was proposed for Saskatchewan, but due
to public resistance was built in Northern Ontario.
It is clear that the NDP government is listening to the industry and
tries to "sell" this Uranium policy to the public as an unavoidable
economic necessity, thereby violating environmental policies and human
rights.
URGENT APPEAL
We urgently appeal to you to help stop Uranium mining in Saskatchewan.
We want to redirect our province and country on to a non-nuclear and
sustainable path. The health and well being of future generations and all
life around the earth depends on this.
We therefore ask all readers to write the premier and government of
Saskatchewan, and the Federal provincial Review Panel to encourage them not
to permit any new mines, to close existing ones, to develop alternative
jobs in the north, and use an energy strategy based on efficiency and
renewable energy. Please emphasize any implications of Saskatchewan Uranium
in your region. Discuss how this Uranium is being used in nuclear reactors
- and military oriented facilities - in your country, that are unsafe,
create world security problems and nuclear waste problems.
Letters to the Canadian and Saskatchewan media protesting that Saskatchewan
is considering more Uranium mining would also be helpful.
Please take the time to write a short letter quickly to any or all of
the addresses below. It is important that a copy is send to the Inter-
Church Uranium Committee to insure the letters are made public.
Kindest regards,
Phillip Penna
coordinator
Inter-Church Uranium Committee (ICUC),
Box 7724
Saskatoon, Sask., S7K 4R4
Canada
Tel: (306) 934 3030
Fax: (306) 652 8377
e-mail: web:icuc
ICUC is supported by church leadership of the Saskatchewan Roman Catholic
Church, Anglican Church, United Church, Lutheran Church and various
Mennonite constituencies.
Addresses:
Premier Roy Romanow,
and copy to All members of the NDP Caucus
Legislative Building
Regina, Sask., S4S 0P3, Canada
Tel: (306) 787 0880 or (306) 787 9433
Fax: (306) 787 0885
Panel Secretariat:
Jackie Kelly
Uranium Mine Development Review Office
Rm. 420, 1955 Smith St.
Regina, Sask., S4P 2N8, Canada
Call collect: (306) 780 8251
Fax: (306) 780 8250
John Mathers, Executive Secretary
Rabbit Lake Review Panel
FEARO (Vancouver Office)
Harbour Centre
Box 12071,
Suite 1150, 555 West Hastings St.
Vancouver, BC, V6B 4N5, Canada
Call collect: (604) 666 6961
Fax: (604) 666 6990
Papers:
the Globe and Mail, 444 Frontstreet W., Toronto ON, M5V 2S9, Canada,
Saskatoon Star Phoenix, 204 5th Ave. North, Saskatoon Sask., S7K 2N9,
Canada
Moose Jaw Times Herald, Moose Jaws, Sask., Canada
Prince Albert Herald, Prince Albert, Sask., Canada
La Ronge Northerner, La Ronge, Sask., Canada
Regina Leader Post, Victoria Ave. and Park St., Regina, Sask., Canada