Greenland Repeals Radioactive Mining Ban

An anonymous reader writes "According to the International Resource Journal, 'Greenland has voted to axe a long-enduring ban on mining for radioactive materials, reopening the market to uranium and rare earths mining. Yesterday's parliamentary vote passed the decision by a staggeringly close 15-14 votes. ... The ban has previously prevented the extraction of some major rare earth deposits, because they are connected to radioactive materials.' 95% of the world's rare-earth demand is currently supplied by China, but estimates indicate Greenland could produce enough to supply 25% of the demand. Greenland's Prime Minister said the decision was made because of financial reasons: 'We cannot live with unemployment and cost of living increases while our economy is at a standstill. It is therefore necessary that we eliminate zero tolerance towards uranium now.' Environmental groups, as you might expect, are not happy."

Comments

Pivotal argument in parliamentary debate

[sideslash]

"Do you want me to send you back to where you WERE? UNEMPLOOOOOYED IN GREEEEENLAND???!!!"

Re:About bloody time!

[mrchaotica]

we only have . . . .*counts on fingers* . . . a couple billion years left before radioactive materials decay

If you have that many fingers, you've been hanging around the radioactive materials way too long!

Users

[jklovanc]

Environmental groups, as you might expect, are not happy."

Probably posting about it on the lithium battery powered laptops or phones.

Re:About bloody time!

[cusco]

The US does as well. We call them submarines . . .

Re:If only North Carolina would follow their lead.

[cusco]

If you think the rare earth mines in China are environmentally bad, just imagine how bad that operation would be run in North Carolina.