The Hindu Business Line : MAUP opposes proposed uranium ore mining

Representatives of the Movement Against Uranium Projects (MAUP) have opposed the proposed mining of alkaline uranium ore by the Uranium Corporation of India Ltd (UCIL) at Thummalapalle near Pulivendula in Kadapa district.

Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, Capt J. Rama Rao and Dr Satyalakshmi alleged that the project is detrimental to the health of the people in the district. "Also, it is neither technically feasible nor financially viable. It is totally unsound and anti-people. It would have heavy social and environmental costs," they said.

They said the mining would last for 30 years at a capacity of 3,000 tonnes a day. At just 0.04 per cent, the uranium produced in the mines was very low. Of a total of 2.70 crore tonnes of the estimated ore reserves, only 7,692 tonnes was actual uranium.

"After exploiting the mines, they would leave the place leaving heaps of radioactive waste material there. They have no plans for addressing the problem," Capt. Rao said.

Destroying a green valley

They said the proposed land for mining and processing was mostly agricultural land where commercial crops such as banana, chilli, groundnut and sunflower were grown. A green valley of 438.15 hectares would be destroyed.

It would also cause serious damage to groundwater in a water-scarce region. "They say they would get water from Chitravati river, which is 50 km away. We also do not know whether they have permission to lay hands on the river water. Moreover, there is no water in the river," they said.

The activists were also aware of problems they might face during the upcoming public hearing. They said some locals expressed their inability to raise even their feeble voice, considering the fact that the project was coming up at Pulivendula, the stronghold of Chief Minister Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy's family.

Interestingly, the activists produced an article written by Dr Reddy in a national daily in 2003, strongly opposing UCIL's uranium mining activity in Nalgonda district.

As the date for public hearing approaches, the MAUP has decided to hold an all-party meeting on Wednesday to discuss the issue.

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