Uranium in Nova Scotia: a Background Summary for the Uranium Inquiry, Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources
Mineral Resources Branch
Report ME 1982-7

By Nova Scotia Department of Mines and Energy

Table of Contents

• Section 1. Introduction
• Section 2. History of Uranium Exploration
  • Introduction
  • Exploration for Uranium Prior to 1976
  • Exploration for Uranium 1976 to Present
  • Uranium Assessment Reports
• Section 3. Government Action Regarding the Exploration of Uranium
  • Introduction
  • Designation of Uranium to Special Licence Category
  • Formation of the "Guidelines" for Uranium Exploration in Nova Scotia
  • Guidelines Formalized as "Terms and Conditions"
  • Uranium Task Force
  • Formation of a Select Committee
  • Calling of a Moratorium on Uranium Exploration and establishment of the Uranium Inquiry - Nova Scotia
  • Policy Regarding Exploration for Uranium in Nova Scotia
• Section 4. Physical and Chemical Properties of Uranium
  • Physical Properties of Uranium
    • Introduction
    • Atoms and Isotopes
    • Radioactive Decay
  • Geochemistry of Uranium
    • Introduction
    • Chemical Mobility of Uranium
    • Uranium - Radon Relationship
  • Uranium and Thorium in Rocks
    • Introduction
    • Types of Rocks in the Earth's Crust
    • Igneous Rocks
    • Sedimentary Rocks
    • Metamorphic Rocks
• Section 5. Natural Levels of Radioactivity in Nova Scotia
  • Introduction
  • Geological Surveys
  • Geophysical Surveys
  • Geochemical Surveys
• Section 6. Exploration for Radioactive Elements
  • Exploration Techniques
    • Introduction
    • Radiation Detection
  • Stages of Exploration
    • Introduction
    • Preliminary Exploration Stage
    • Initial Exploration Stage
    • Advanced Exploration Stage
    • Mine Development Stage
• Section 7. Uranium and Thorium Occurrences of Nova Scotia
  • Introduction
  • Deposit Types
    • Magmatic deposits
    • Vein type deposits
      • Model (1)
      • Model (2)
      • Model (3)
    • Sandstone type deposits
    • Basal Windsor Group
    • Black shales
    • Uranium and thorium in Devonian volcanic rocks
• Section 8. Mining Legislation in Nova Scotia
• References
• Appendix I. Areas Held Under Exploration for Uranium in Nova Scotia
  • Item 1. Areas held under exploration licences for uranium prior to 1976
  • Item 2. Areas held under exploration licences for uranium, December 1976
  • Item 3. Areas held under exploration licences for uranium, December 1977
  • Item 4. Areas held under exploration licences for uranium, December 1978
  • Item 5. Areas held under exploration licences for uranium, December 1979
  • Item 6. Areas held under exploration licences for uranium, December 1980
  • Item 7. Areas held under exploration licences for uranium, December 1981
  • Item 8. Areas requested for special uranium exploration licences, July 22, 1982
• Appendix II.
  • Item 1. Compilation of Open File Uranium Exploration Assessment Reports up to the end of 1979
  • Item 2. Index Map to Open File Reports Submitted for Areas Explored for Uranium up to the end of 1979
• Appendix III.
  • Item 1. Compilation of Confidential Uranium Exploration Assessment Reports Submitted During 1980 and 1981
  • Item 2. Index Map to Confidential Reports Submitted for Areas Explored for Uranium during 1980 and 1981
• Appendix IV.
  • Item 1. Letter dated May 15, 1975 from the Minister of Mines to the Registrar of Mineral Rights Informing the Coal, Uranium, Salt and Potash Have Been Placed in Special Licence Category by Order of Governor in Council
  • Item 2. Letter Sent on June 16, 1980 to All Exploration Interests in the Province Regarding:
    • (1) NSDME Policy Toward Areas of Overlap of General and Special Licence
    • (2) Mineral Resources Act Regulations Regarding Trespass on Private and Crown Lands
    • (3) Notification of Intent of Formulating Guidelines for Uranium Exploration
  • Item 3. Notification to Landowners Placed in Regional Newspapers Throughout the Province on June 16, 1980
• Appendix V. First Draft of Guidelines for Uranium Exploration in Nova Scotia
• Appendix VI. Second Draft of Guidelines for Uranium Exploration in Nova Scotia
• Appendix VII. Terms and Conditions Governing Special Uranium Exploration Licences in Nova Scotia
• Appendix VIII.
  • Item 1. Policy Statement Regarding Exploration for Uranium in Nova Scotia
  • Item 2. Information Directive Regarding Mineral Land Access to Municipal Water Supply Lands