Many New Brunswickers concerned about uranium exploration

The call for a ban on uranium mining is spreading across New Brunswick as exploration continues in the province.

Jim Little said he would move if uranium is found underground on his about 324 hectares of property near Harvey Station, south of Fredericton, despite the fact he has lived there for 65 years.

'It makes your future not as certain as I thought it was.' —Jim Little, longtime property owner

"My hope would be that they would buy it all and I would move," Little told CBC News. "I wouldn't want a mill beside me."

Little's property is one of two where exploratory drilling has already begun in the Harvey Station area.

"It's unsettling," Little said. "It makes your future not as certain as I thought it was."

In the eastern part of the province, Moncton city council passed a resolution in March calling on the province to ban uranium exploration and mining in New Brunswick.

Earlier in March, one prospecting company announced it found enough uranium north of Moncton to warrant moving to the next stage of exploration research. But city council is concerned Moncton's water source will become contaminated if uranium exploration continues in the area.

The New Brunswick government should follow Nova Scotia's lead, said Coun. Merrill Henderson.

Nova Scotia placed a moratorium on uranium exploration or mining 25 years ago following pressure from rural residents.

"I think that's the direction we're going to have to go and I hope our provincial representatives are listening to us," Henderson said.

Council also asked citizens across New Brunswick to express to government their opposition to uranium exploration and mining.

Farmer worries about crops

Ted Wiggans's property near Tweedside, south of Fredericton, isn't staked yet, but there are claims on either side of his farm. It means there will be no compensation if mining begins in the area, but he still expects it to impact his small farm, which grows organic vegetables.

"I think to be selling that kind of food that I want to see, I don't want to be living next to a potential uranium mine," Wiggans said.

Drilling wouldn't be happening if the companies didn't feel there was the potential to put a mine in, Wiggans said.

"Depending on what happens with these drill tests and so on, as it becomes more and more, maybe a possibility, I think people are going to have to be politically active, and actually make it very clear to the government that we don't want uranium mining in this province," Wiggans said.