Representatives of a uranium exploration company based in Vancouver are planning a public meeting to discuss uranium discoveries in western Quebec that have garnered mixed reaction from residents. 

Last fall, Aldershot Resources conducted airborne surveys of the Pontiac region of the province, about 100 kilometres northwest of Ottawa, and found evidence of uranium deposits that might be suitable for mining. They are not far from other deposits long known to exist across western Quebec.

Jeremy Caddy, president of Aldershot, said the area has the same geological formation that has yielded uranium mines in parts of Ontario.

Aldershot recently stepped up its exploration of Pontiac for the radioactive metal, which has shot up in price with the demand for nuclear power from countries such as China.

'The odds of us finding some mines from an exploration process are less than one in 100 chances.'—Jeremy Caddy, president, Aldershot Resources

The company has sent letters to local residents asking for access to their properties so they can narrow their search for any uranium deposits that could be mined, said Caddy.

"We want to make sure that what the machines are telling us really do exist on the ground," he said.

For now, the company simply wants to take pictures, make maps and take small samples of rock.

"The odds of us finding some mines from an exploration process are less than one in 100 chances."

Even so, the uranium claims have generated concern and excitement among area residents, who will be able to attend a company-planned meeting in Fort-Coulonge in mid-December, Caddy confirmed.

Mining could replace lost forestry jobs

Ross Vowles, mayor of the municipality of Thorne, Que., north of Shawville, expressed optimism that mining could benefit his community.

'If it could be done safely, and viably, we could certainly use the jobs.'-Thorne Mayor Ross Vowles

"If it could be done safely, and viably, we could certainly use the jobs," said Vowles. 

He added the community has been harmed by the collapse of the local forestry industry.

"I sit on the economic development committee in the region and we're open to just about any opportunity, as long as it's safe."

Vowles's own property is among those identified by Aldershot as containing uranium.

Residents fear environmental, health impacts

Richard Vezeau, who lives near Thorne Lake, north of Shawville, said he wants to know more about Aldershot and whether the company might expropriate his land — a possibility that has him worried.

"It's been my home for 35 years," he said. "I'm not keen to move off and start again."

Meanwhile, others are concerned that disturbing the uranium will pollute the water and make people sick.

'Uranium is a bad word, versus the environment. Personally, I'm afraid of that.'—Hector Soucie, former mayor of Fort-Coulonge

Among them is Ian Huggett, a local activist who drew attention to the increase in uranium prospecting by writing letters to local newspapers.

Huggett's concern is shared by Hector Soucie, former mayor of Fort-Coulonge who now runs a business in the community.

"Uranium is a bad word, versus the environment. Personally, I'm afraid of that," said Soucie. "I was on the committees in the '70s when this project came about. I was leery then and I'm still leery."

Exposure to radioactive materials has been linked to increased risk of cancer and other negative health impacts. Canada has guidelines to minimize exposure to uranium during and after mining.

However, the metal has a bad name from the use of its depleted form in weapons and its damage to the health of aboriginal miners in Canada's North during the 1930s. The miners were never told about the risks and the precautions that should be taken.

Aldershot already has uranium projects in Quebec, Australia and Zambia and trades on the Toronto Venture Exchange.