Uranium EIA exemption sparks fresh challenge

(Kaieteur News) – The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to exempt uranium exploration activities at the Kurupung Uranium Project in Region Seven from an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is facing a fresh challenge, with 15 individuals and three organisations formally appealing the decision and calling for the immediate suspension of all activities at the site.

According to a letter dispatched to the Chairman of the Environmental Assessment Board (EAB), by Danuta Radzik on behalf of 15 individuals and three organisations. Citing an August 26th notice published by EPA exempting Lia (Guyana) Inc. from an EIA for a mineral exploration project at the Kurupung Uranium Project the signatories questioned the grounds EPA listed for its exemption, that the agency’s decision violates the section of the Environmental Act, the lack of information on the company’s track record, lack of consultation with indigenous communities, the public, health and environmental risk concerns as well as questioning the agency’s capacity to monitor such project and Guyana lacking specific regulations for uranium exploration or mining.

Canada-based firm U92 Energy Corp. owns the Kurupung Uranium Project through its wholly owned subsidiary, Lia (Guyana). The project area spans approximately 92.2 square kilometres and carries a historical resource estimate of 20.6 million pounds of uranium.