Virginia state legislators gave the go-ahead for a uranium mining study in the Commonwealth. Virginia Uranium Inc. wants to unearth 119 million pounds of ore, which is used to fuel nuclear power plants, near Danville. Uranium mining was banned in Virginia in 1982, and many opponents are hoping to keep it that way, as it has been linked to causing cancer and birth defects in communities in its wake. The study is expected to take 18 months and cost $1.5 million.
