ND Wary of Renewed Uranium Interest

BELFIELD, N.D. -- Geiger counters were a hot item in this small town a half century ago. Nearly every business, including the pool hall, sold the instruments to wannabe uranium prospectors.

"People weren't worried about it then because they had no idea what it was," said Barbara Thompson, a Belfield resident for nearly 60 years. "Now we know what it is and what's going on."

What's going on is a renewed interest in uranium exploration in the West. Worldwide demand for nuclear power pushed the price of uranium from roughly $7 a pound in 2002 to about $135 by midsummer. It dropped to around $90 in late August.

North Dakota state geologist Ed Murphy said his office is beginning to field inquiries from mining companies interested in staking new claims _ the first since the state's uranium mines shut down in the late 1960s.

"We've got a lot of people looking," he said.

Many locals wish the radioactive element had never been found in their backyards. They lament the environmental damage caused by the unregulated uranium mines and fret about lingering threats to their health.

Some accused the mines of causing livestock to glow and humans to die of cancer. Health officials have said they found no evidence of either.

An industry representative agrees that uranium mining companies are grappling with their past.

"There are legacy issues," said Jon Indall, attorney for Uranium Producers of America, a trade group that represents more than a dozen companies.

"We're willing to work with states and everybody else to make sure it's done right this time," he said. "We feel it can be done in a safe manner."

Cory Smith, 36, who ranches near Belfield, said he was approached in early August by a speculator wanting to lease rights for uranium exploration.

"I wouldn't take a million dollars," he said.