Exploratory drilling for uranium is expected to begin next month near Chatham, with the prospect of the state easing its 25-year ban on uranium mining.

The Virginia Department of Mines and Minerals has approved a permit for Virginia Uranium Incorporated to drill and take core samples.

Department division director Conrad Spangler says geologists will look at the core and determine the type of rock, thickness, and test the rock for minerals such as uranium.

The permit allows the company to drill 20 new holes and attempt to open 20 old holes for up to one year. Spangler says there are holes still there from drilling done nearly 30 years ago.

Pittsylvania County sits atop the largest uranium deposit in the United States.

Governor Tim Kaine has proposed relaxing the prohibition on uranium mining in an effort to help Virginia become more energy independent.

Previous plans to mine the uranium deposit generated opposition because of concerns that radioactive milling waste, a result of processing, would pollute the environment.