Uranium mining in Virginia is expected to be a big issue in next years meeting of the General Assembly. A panel discussion on uranium mining at the Capitol will highlight the issue as a top concern for the state. The planned panel will feature the chairman of the National Academy of Sciences study on uranium mining, a representative from Virginia Uranium Incorporated, an attorney from the Southern Environmental Law Center and a state delegate from Pittsylvania County. Virginia Uranium hopes to mine a 119-million-pound deposit of the radioactive metal if Virginia will end a 30-year ban on uranium mining. A Richmond-area lawmaker wants to do just that while proposing regulations to oversee the industry. (bg)