Nova Scotia's whirlwind push to establish a uranium sector has yielded zero bids from companies interested in exploring for the critical mineral, a fact that left Premier Tim Houston unfazed Thursday and opponents of the industry relieved.

The Progressive Conservative government opened a request for proposals last month for exploration permits in three areas that the province says have uranium deposits. No one had come forward by the June 11 deadline.

"That's OK, we're going to move forward," Hou…