Northern Colorado Business Report
February 5, 2008
Mining
officials meet with local reps
DENVER -- Representatives from
Powertech USA and the Colorado Mining Association were meeting Feb. 5 with
Colorado Reps. John Kefalas and Randy Fischer to review House Bill 1161,
which Kefalas and Fischer have proposed to require mining companies to
return groundwater to its pre-mining condition.
The bill is still before the House Agriculture Committee and has not yet
been introduced into the General Assembly. Reps. Ray Rose and Wes McKinley
and Sen. Scott Renfroe were also scheduled to attend the meeting.
Mining officials are hoping to offer possible amendments to the bill,
according to a press statement.
"Industry experts have expressed serious concerns about the broad nature of
the bill, calling for sweeping changes to the regulation process," said John
Hall, a spokesman for Powertech USA. "They contend a sufficient process is
already in place on the federal, state and local level."
Powertech USA, a subsidiary of Canadian-based Powertech Uranium, is
proposing to mine uranium on about 5,700 acres in western Weld County where
the company has purchased mineral rights and some property. Neighbors of the
project and others who oppose uranium mining have called on Kefalas and
Fischer to make sure company activities don't pollute groundwater supplies
in the area.
HB 1161 as introduced would also require companies to provide evidence of
five successfully cleaned mines before a mining permit is approved.
Powertech is asking that the bill instead allow mining companies to give a
"comprehensive history" of mining techniques and the risks involved in using
them.
The House Agriculture Committee is scheduled to consider the bill and any
possible amendments at a hearing on Wednesday.