Uranium mining focus of meetings in Va.

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - The contentious subject of uranium mining is the focus of a raft of meetings in Virginia in August.

The state Department of Health has scheduled hearings in three locations, starting Aug. 7 in Chatham. Others are planned in Warrenton and Virginia Beach. They are intended to gauge the public's concerns about uranium mining's impact on streams and wells. Some of those meetings will run all day.

Environmental groups have complained officials gave little notice of the meetings.

Besides those health department meetings, a team from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission will appear at a public meeting Thursday in Chatham. In late August, a statewide panel studying uranium mining will meet in Virginia Beach.

A Chatham company is proposing to mine a rich uranium deposit within 10 miles of that Southside town.