‘Hands off the Kurupung’ – Region 7 Vice-Chair warns EPA against approving uranium drilling(Kaieteur News) With Canadian firm U92 Energy slated to commence drilling at the Kurupung Uranium Project this month following approval from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Vice-Chair of Region Seven, Alden Marslowe, has added his voice to growing concerns over the project, calling on the government and EPA to halt further approvals. The Kurupung Uranium Project spans approximately 92.2 square kilometres in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and carries a historical resource estimate of 20.6 million pounds of uranium. The potential consequences of uranium exploration and, ultimately, uranium mining demand a much higher standard of caution, transparency, scientific scrutiny and public consultation than what Guyanese citizens have witnessed so far,” he stressed. The Vice Chair also outlined the potential risks associated with uranium mining and processing, noting that such activities can generate radioactive waste and other contaminants. He further noted that the Kurupung uranium project presents Guyana with a choice: either rush forward because the mineral is valuable or pause because the people and environment are more valuable.