CSWO flays AMD for uranium remarks

SHILLONG: The CSWO has expressed shock over the statement of the official of the Atomic Minerals Directorate (AMD) that uranium mining has nothing to do with ill effects on the ecology.
In a statement issued here on Wednesday, CSWO president Agnes Kharshiing said that uranium mining will leave behind tailing ponds which will be ‘live’ for thousands of years.
Quoting reports, Kharshiing said that the amount of sludge produced is nearly the same as that of the ore milled. At a grade of 0.1% uranium, 99.9% of the material is left over. Apart from the portion of the uranium removed, the sludge contains all the constituents of the ore.
As long as thoriumm-230 and radium-226 are not removed, the sludge contains 85% of the initial radioactivity of the ore, she said.
The CSWO, while opposing uranium mining in the State urged the Government not to wait for companies that degrade the environment to make roads for the people of the State.