NBC12 News, Weather Sports, Traffic, and Programming Guide for Richmond, VA | Va Tech geologist to study uranium deposit
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Associated Press - April 20, 2009 8:25 AM ET
CHATHAM, Va. (AP) - A Virginia Tech geologist is working to determine the age of a uranium deposit in Pittsylvania County.
The U.S. Geological Survey awarded a $60,000 mineral research grant to geochemistry professor Robert Bodnar. Bodnar says determining the age of the deposit near Chatham will help understanding of how it was formed and possibly how to find similar deposits in the region.
The 119-million-pound deposit is believed to be the largest in the nation, with a value estimated anywhere from $7 billion to $10 billion.
Virginia Uranium Inc. has proposed tapping the deposit and is hoping to convince the General Assembly to lift a ban on uranium mining imposed in 1982.
Information from: The News & Advance, http://www.newsadvance.com/
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