Trevor Metcalfe reports that a state lawsuit by Virginia Uranium Inc. is seeking to reverse a moratorium on uranium mining and is headed to a bench trial after months of pretrial hearings and motions. Wise County Circuit Court Judge Chadwick Dotson will hear arguments starting on Aug. 30. The trial will continue through Sept. 1, if necessary.
The trial notice request was filed by Virginia Uranium attorney Jeffrey Sturgill on March 14, and forwarded to attorneys for the office of Attorney General Mark Herring on March 15. Dotson approved the request on March 24, and also submitted pretrial scheduling guidelines to attorneys.
The 119-million pound Coles Hill deposit is estimated to contain about $6 billion in uranium ore, according to Virginia Uranium. The uranium mining ban has been in place since 1982. Virginia Uranium spokesperson Julie Rautio said the company is looking forward to having the case heard in trial.
The Office of the Attorney General is continuing to monitor the case but had no further comment, Press Secretary Lara Sisselman said in an email to the Register & Bee. Commonwealth lawyers have also asked the judge to dismiss the case before the trial date.
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