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Message: ALL IS NOT LOST, JUST ON HOLD
All is not lost, just on hold 
Three-year moratorium allows government time to get their ducks in a row
LORIE O'HALLORAN
The Labradorian
As the community reacts to the three-year uranium mining moratorium put in place by the Nunatsiavut government, it's back to business for its ministers.
Lands and resources minister William Barbour said, the message the government is sending to the communities is not that they are anti-development, but rather they are taking time to ensure there is responsible development taking place on Labrador Inuit Land.
"That was the intent of introducing the bill," Minister Barbour said.
Minister Barbour said Aurora-Energy knew for the past 18 months that if a land use plan was not in place there would be no mining, so the announcement came as no surprise.
Minister Barbour said although exploration projects will continue, the moratorium will cause a scale down of operations, leading to job loss.
"I realize this could affect a number of people," he said.
Minister Barbour said there is a bigger picture to see here. Just looking at the economy and job loss is looking with tunnel vision.
"We need time, we can't be forced into decisions that are rushed. Our time lines are important as well, " he said.
Dr. Mark O'Dea, president and CEO of Aurora-Energy Resources Inc. said they are committed to the project and will continue to work closely with the Nunatsiavut government.
"We are disappointed, but encouraged by how close the vote passed," he said.
The moratorium just passed by a vote of 8-7. Minister Barbour said he thinks the vote was close because after the first reading in October, a lot of lobbying was being done by mining companies and community members, swaying votes.
Minister Barbour said the Nunatsiavut government plans to continue to work with Aurora-Energy and other exploration companies and will continue to allow exploration activities of uranium or other minerals on their land.
Over the next three years the government plans to put a land use plan in place, implement its own environmental assessment legislation and build up its land and resources staff.
"These take time, we simply need time. It doesn't mean we will never allow uranium mining,"
The land use plan will be developed in conjunction with the provincial government and must be agreed upon by both parties.
The Nunatsiavut government will not implement or promote anything that goes against the Land Claims Agreement, Minister Barbour said.
Aurora-Energy plans to conduct an in-fill drill program at Michelin and Jacques Lake deposits and continue with a pre-feasibility study on the Michelin project.
"We strongly believe that we can demonstrate to the Nunatsiavut government that uranium mining can be safely carried out, with the utmost care for the integrity of the environment," Dr. O'Dea said.
Dr. O'Dea said Aurora-Energy representatives would continue to hold public discussions on uranium mining.
Three-year moratorium allows government time to get their ducks in a row
LORIE O'HALLORAN
The Labradorian
As the community reacts to the three-year uranium mining moratorium put in place by the Nunatsiavut government, it's back to business for its ministers.
Lands and resources minister William Barbour said, the message the government is sending to the communities is not that they are anti-development, but rather they are taking time to ensure there is responsible development taking place on Labrador Inuit Land.
"That was the intent of introducing the bill," Minister Barbour said.
Minister Barbour said Aurora-Energy knew for the past 18 months that if a land use plan was not in place there would be no mining, so the announcement came as no surprise.
Minister Barbour said although exploration projects will continue, the moratorium will cause a scale down of operations, leading to job loss.
"I realize this could affect a number of people," he said.
Minister Barbour said there is a bigger picture to see here. Just looking at the economy and job loss is looking with tunnel vision.
"We need time, we can't be forced into decisions that are rushed. Our time lines are important as well, " he said.
Dr. Mark O'Dea, president and CEO of Aurora-Energy Resources Inc. said they are committed to the project and will continue to work closely with the Nunatsiavut government.
"We are disappointed, but encouraged by how close the vote passed," he said.
The moratorium just passed by a vote of 8-7. Minister Barbour said he thinks the vote was close because after the first reading in October, a lot of lobbying was being done by mining companies and community members, swaying votes.
Minister Barbour said the Nunatsiavut government plans to continue to work with Aurora-Energy and other exploration companies and will continue to allow exploration activities of uranium or other minerals on their land.
Over the next three years the government plans to put a land use plan in place, implement its own environmental assessment legislation and build up its land and resources staff.
"These take time, we simply need time. It doesn't mean we will never allow uranium mining,"
The land use plan will be developed in conjunction with the provincial government and must be agreed upon by both parties.
The Nunatsiavut government will not implement or promote anything that goes against the Land Claims Agreement, Minister Barbour said.
Aurora-Energy plans to conduct an in-fill drill program at Michelin and Jacques Lake deposits and continue with a pre-feasibility study on the Michelin project.
"We strongly believe that we can demonstrate to the Nunatsiavut government that uranium mining can be safely carried out, with the utmost care for the integrity of the environment," Dr. O'Dea said.
Dr. O'Dea said Aurora-Energy representatives would continue to hold public discussions on uranium mining.
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