WISE Uranium Project: 2003 News Archive

(last updated 22 Oct 2004)

> See also Uranium Mining Issues: 2003 Review

2003 NEWS

> for more recent news, see 2004 News

• December 2003: US DOE's Inspector General criticizes Cold Standby Program at Portsmouth uranium enrichment plant (Ohio)

• December 25, 2003: Former Durango uranium mill site becomes dog park (Colorado)

• December 24, 2003: U.S. NRC announces receipt of third amendment request for Blended Low-Enriched Uranium Project at NFS Erwin plant (Tennessee) - deadline to request a hearing extended

• December 22, 2003: Mining lease granted for Lumwana copper project, but plans for uranium by-product recovery abandoned (Zambia)

• December 22, 2003: U.S. NRC imposes no civil penalty on Hematite nuclear fuel facility for inadvertent shipment of fuel pellets in scrap metal

• December 22, 2003: UF6 leak at Honeywell Metropolis conversion plant entails another plant shutdown (Illinois)

• December 19, 2003: IAEA wants access to Brazil's uranium enrichment plant

• December 19, 2003: State defers decision on acceptability of Maywood soils at Cotter mill by one year (Colorado)

• December 18, 2003: Report on the security of UF6 at the former Oak Ridge enrichment plant classified (Tennessee)

• December 18, 2003: Independent radiation surveys at Niger uranium mines obstructed

• December 18, 2003: Iran signs accord allowing unannounced inspections of nuclear facilities

• December 18, 2003: Rössing uranium mine to close down by 2007 (Namibia)

• December 17, 2003: U.S. NRC issues Inspection Report and Notice of Violation on recent chemical releases at Honeywell Metropolis conversion plant (Illinois)

• December 17, 2003: Concern about return of clean-up bond on Nabarlek mine (Australia)

• December 16, 2003: Report demands federal funding of abandoned uranium mines' cleanup in northern Saskatchewan (Canada)

• December 16, 2003: State to reclaim abandoned Belfield uranium mine (North Dakota)

• December 15, 2003: Uranium spot price rises over $14.00 per lb U3O8 (UxC)

• December 15, 2003: LES submits license application for enrichment plant project in Lea County, New Mexico

• December 13, 2003: No increased cancer incidence in British 1991 Gulf war soldiers

• December 2003: Integrated Safety Analysis (ISA) Summary for NFS' Blended Low-Enrichment Uranium (BLEU) project available (Tennessee)

• December 12, 2003: Former uranium mill workers file complaint for compensation of health damages (Spain)

• December 10, 2003: UCIL to start uranium mining at Domiasiat (India)

• December 8, 2003: Kyrgyzstan ratifies IAEA non-proliferation regulations - Kara Balta mill to restart

• December 8, 2003: GAO sees some progress, but still sceptical on DOE's cleanup efforts at Paducah enrichment plant (Kentucky)

• December 5, 2003: Appeals court date set for McClean Lake license case (Saskatchewan)

• December 3, 2003: Guerrilla group attacks Lambapur-Peddagattu uranium mine project (India)

• December 2, 2003: Ukraine could export natural uranium

• December 2, 2003: Unused Hanau MOX fuel plant equipment to be sold to China?

• December 1, 2003: CNSC announces hearings on decommissioning of Rio Algom's Quirke, Panel and Stanleigh Mine Sites (Ontario)

• November 28, 2003: Cleanup of spilled roadside ore planned for Spring 2004, but still no hope for cleanup of Midnite mine site (Washington)

• November 27, 2003: Iran used Urenco centrifuge design

• November 26, 2003: IAEA Board adopts resolution on Iran

• November 26, 2003: U.S. DOE releases Draft Environmental Impact Statements on depleted uranium hexafluoride conversion facilities for comment

• November 25, 2003: Wyoming DEQ approves restoration of PRI Highland ISL A-Wellfield

• November 24, 2003: AREVA secures Urenco's gas centrifuge technology and launches new enrichment plant project (France)

• November 24, 2003: U.S. DOE invites public comment on proposed cleanup approach by natural attenuation for Monticello OU III tailings site (Utah)

• November 20, 2003: U.S. NRC approves final rule to revise UF6 Transportation Safety Standards

• November 20, 2003: NCRP issues draft report on Extrapolation of Risks from Nonhuman Experimental Systems to Man for comment

• November 20, 2003: U.S. BLM reserves land for tentative alternative disposal sites of Atlas Moab uranium mill tailings (Utah)

• November 19, 2003: ICUC and Stefania Fortugno named "Environmental Activists of the Year" (Saskatchewan)

• November 19, 2003: McArthur River miners exposed to higher radon levels during mine flooding (Saskatchewan)

• November 18, 2003: Converdyn uranium conversion plant resumes operation (Illinois)

• November 18, 2003: U.S. EPA requests comment on Approaches to an Integrated Framework for Management and Disposal of Low-Activity Radioactive Waste

• November 17, 2003: CNSC announces hearing on decommissioning of Denison and Stanrock Mine Sites, Elliot Lake, Ontario

• November 14, 2003: U.S. DOE/NNSA amends Record of Decision to allow for the fabrication of MOX fuel lead assemblies in France

• November 14, 2003: U.S. NRC issues Environmental Assessment and FONSI to approve the Final Status Survey Plan and Decommissioning Plan for Industrial Waste Landfill 1 at the BWXT Lynchburg nuclear fuel plant (Virginia)

• November 10, 2003: Appeals court sends Cañon City uranium mill residents case back to district court (Colorado)

• November 10, 2003: Uranium spot price rises over $13.00 per lb U3O8 (UxC)

• November 10, 2003: Cleanup of Bratoselce DU impact site in southern Serbia completed

• November 7, 2003: New uranium ISL refinery completed in southern Kazakhstan

• November 6, 2003: Spent catalyst waste containing DU to be re-imported from Korea to US for disposal

• November 6, 2003: Decommissioning cost of Czech uranium mines close to current price of uranium produced

• November 6, 2003: Rozná uranium mine to be shut down by 2005 (Czech Republic)

• November 5, 2003: U.S. NRC Issues Draft Policy Statement on Environmental Justice for Public Comment - Comment Period extended

• October 30, 2003: CNSC starts Environmental Assessment on Sue E extension of McClean Lake uranium mine (Saskatchewan)

• October 30, 2003: CNEA to present environmental impact study for reopening of San Rafael uranium mine (Argentina)

• October 29, 2003: U.S. NRC develops approach for reducing or eliminating dual regulation of ground-water protection at in-situ leach uranium facilities

• October 29, 2003: ASN cites Comurhex on deficiencies at Pierrelatte conversion plant (France)

• October 28, 2003: Homestake requests 9-year extension of reclamation milestones for Grants uranium mill tailings site (New Mexico)

• October 28, 2003: U.S. NRC considers possession-only license for Jefferson Proving Ground, deferring cleanup of DU munitions test area indefinitely (Indiana)

• October 2003: Jabiluka Traditional Owners to celebrate uranium mine site regeneration (Australia)

• October 24, 2003: NRC receives third amendment request for Blended Low-Enriched Uranium Project at NFS Erwin plant (Tennessee)

• October 24, 2003: CNSC approves Rabbit Lake license renewal and approves dam breaches for flooding of mined out Rabbit Lake mine (Saskatchewan)

• October 24, 2003: U.S. NRC extends comment period on Utah's proposal to use alternative groundwater protection standards for uranium mills and mill tailings

• October 23, 2003: Uzbekistan plans new attempt to raise uranium production by 40%

• October 21, 2003: Iran agrees to suspend uranium enrichment

• October 2003: Study finds no significant postwar increase in the prevalence of congenital malformations in Mostar (West Herzegovina)

• October 18, 2003: Cleanup of Dniprodzerzhynsk uranium mill tailings stuck by insufficient allocation of funds (Ukraine)

• October 17, 2003: U.S. NRC proposes imposition of $60,000 penalty on Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc. for lack of accounting on Strategic Special Nuclear Material (Tennessee)

• October 16, 2003: U.S. NRC authorizes import of radioactive waste from Germany for uranium extraction and incineration

• October 16, 2003: UF6 truck overturns on highway in southeastern Montana

• October 16, 2003: U.S. EPA updates its assessment of health risks from indoor radon

• October 15, 2003: U.S. NRC issues Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact on Ambrosia Lake uranium mill demolition (New Mexico)

• October 14, 2003: Cleanup of depleted uranium impact sites in Southern Serbia going on

• October 14, 2003: Kyrgyzstan urges donors to write off part of its debt in order to address uranium mill tailings problems

• October 14, 2003: Australian Senate Committee releases Inquiry report highlighting serious flaws in uranium industry regulations

• October 8, 2003: France intends to assist in reclamation of Mayluu-Su tailings (Kyrgyzstan)

• October 2003: ICRP releases final report on protection of non-human species from radiation

• October 7, 2003: NRPB study confirms link between leukaemia and radiation exposure

• October 7, 2003: NRC notifies of opportunity to request hearing on Philotechnics' request to double DU counterweight imports from UK to USA for disposal in Texas

• October 7, 2003: U.S. EPA awards $50,000 grant to CCAT over Lincoln Park Superfund Site near Cañon City (Colorado)

• October 6, 2003: U.S. DOE seeks export license for the transport of plutonium to France, for fabrication into MOX fuel lead test assemblies at Cadarache

• October 6, 2003: Brazil makes further announcement to begin uranium enrichment shortly

• October 2, 2003: URI revives plans to commence production at its Vasquez uranium ISL project (Texas)

• October 2, 2003: U.S. NRC issues Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact concerning the proposed Reclamation Plan for the Shootaring Canyon uranium mill (Utah)

• September 30, 2003: Construction of Zarechnoye uranium ISL mine to begin in 2004 (Kazakhstan)

• September 26, 2003: Dusting problem at Kazakh Aktau uranium mill tailings remains serious still

• September 25, 2003: Contaminated water seeps around plugged permeable wall at Cotter's Cañon City uranium mill site (Colorado)

• September 24, 2003: Communities demand start of cleanup for abandoned uranium mine sites in Canada

• September 24, 2003: DU bullets recovered near Presevo in Southern Serbia

• September 24, 2003: No elevated levels of uranium in urine of Australian servicemen returned from Afghanistan and Iraq

• September 22, 2003: Draft Memorandum of Understanding between U.S. DOE, Oak Ridge Operations, and U.S. NRC on USEC's Lead Centrifuge Enrichment Cascade Facility available

• September 21, 2003: British army is planning to end the use of depleted uranium tank rounds

• September 20, 2003: Converdyn uranium conversion plant shut down for incidents (Illinois)

• September 17, 2003: U.S. NRC issues Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for second license amendment required for BLEU project

• September 17, 2003: Institutional Controls at Bear Creek tailings fail miserably - even before they are relied on (Wyoming)

• September 16, 2003: Further blow for USEC in countervailing duty court case

• September 15, 2003: Cotter Corp. applies for license renewal of Cañon City uranium mill (Colorado)

• September 15, 2003: ATSDR releases Final Health Assessment on Vieques Bombing Range Site (Puerto Rico), finding No Apparent Public Health Hazard

• September 15, 2003: Uranium price rises to $12.00 per lb U3O8 (UxC)

• September 15, 2003: Reclamation of Kyrgyz uranium mill tailings to start in 2004

• September 14, 2003: Ute tribes: Relocation of Atlas Moab tailings to White Mesa unequivocally unacceptable (Utah)

• September 14, 2003: Jackhammers as a sink for depleted uranium? For tests, U.S. DOE prefers tungsten as substitute, though...

• September 12, 2003: Is beer the source of high home levels of uranium in urine of Swedish soldiers who had served in Kosovo?!?

• September 11, 2003: U.S. DOE amends the 1999 Record of Decision for the Long-Term Management and Use of Depleted Uranium Hexafluoride

• September 2003: Draft Radioactive Waste Management Policy And Strategy issued for comment (South Africa) - Comment period extended!

• September 10, 2003: Further delay ahead for Cerro Solo uranium deposit sell-off (Argentina)

• September 9, 2003: CNSC to hold hearing on proposed blending circuits at Cameco Port Hope conversion plant (Ontario)

• September 5, 2003: Iran gives some details on Saghand uranium mine, Isfahan conversion plant, and Isfahan nuclear fuel plant projects

• September 5, 2003: Federal Republic and Saxony sign agreement on reclamation of abandoned Wismut legacy sites (Germany)

• September 4, 2003: Additional Uranium Fuel Pellets Found in Scrap Zirconium Tubes Shipped from Hematite, Missouri, to Recycling Facility in Canada

• September 3, 2003: U.S. NRC issues revised Decommissioning Guidance for Materials Licensees

• September 3, 2003: ASN authorizes capacity increase for MELOX MOX fuel plant, Marcoule (France)

• September 2, 2003: LES selects Lea County, New Mexico, for enrichment plant project

• August 29, 2003: CNSC approves Environmental Assessment Guidelines for Cigar Lake uranium mine (Saskatchewan)

• August 29, 2003: CNSC approves Environmental Assessment Guidelines for McClean Lake uranium mine (Saskatchewan)

• August 29, 2003: CNSC approves Cigar Lake waste rock disposal in the McClean Lake mining facility's Sue C pit (Saskatchewan)

• August 28, 2003: U.S. NRC issues Environmental Review Guidance for Licensing Actions Associated with NMSS Programs (Materials Licenses)

• August 27, 2003: Utah proposes to use alternative groundwater protection standards for uranium mills and mill tailings

• August 27, 2003: LES abandons Tennessee site for enrichment plant project

• August 26, 2003: UCIL assures: uranium mining at Domiasiat not to start without local consent (India)

• August 25, 2003: ATSDR releases Public Health Consultation finding no public health hazard from depleted uranium exposure at Iowa Army Ammunition Plant (IAAAP), Middletown, Iowa

• August 25, 2003: Chamber of Commerce (!) joins opposition to reopening of the Sierra Pintada uranium mine (Argentina)

• August 25, 2003: Guerrilla group joins opposition to Lambapur uranium mine project (India)

• August 25, 2003: U.S. NRC announces opportunities for hearings on SFC Gore conversion plant Ground Water Monitoring Plan and Ground Water Corrective Action Plan (Oklahoma)

• August 25, 2003: U.S. NRC issues final revised Standard Review Plan For In Situ Uranium Extraction License Applications

• August 25, 2003: U.S. NRC issues final revised Standard Review Plan for Reclamation Plans for Title II Uranium Mill Tailings Sites

• August 22, 2003: ATSDR Public Health Consultation confirms past DU hazard at former National Lead Colonie facility in Albany (New York) - Comment period extended! PHC now available for download!

• August 2003: U.S. NRC releases final report: Radiological Assessments for Clearance of Materials from Nuclear Facilities

• August 21, 2003: Paducah enrichment plant cleanup deal signed - DOE to pay $1 million fine to Kentucky

• August 20, 2003: Mining companies vow not to mine in World Heritage areas

• August 18, 2003: Judge sends Cogema back before Criminal Court for pollution at old uranium mines in Limoges area (France)

• August 17, 2003: High radiation levels from abandoned uranium mines also found in Pryor Mountains near Bighorn Canyon (Montana)

• August 17, 2003: Political parties worried about Lambapur-Peddagattu uranium mine project (India)

• August 15, 2003: United Nuclear again chasing cattle from Church Rock tailings (New Mexico)

• August 15, 2003: ICRP sets up new Task Group on Reference Animals and Plants

• August 15, 2003: CNSC invites public comment on proposed blending circuits at Cameco Port Hope conversion plant (Ontario)

• August 15, 2003: Seven members quit Citizens Advisory Board at Paducah enrichment plant (Kentucky)

• August 13, 2003: ERA begins backfilling of Jabiluka mine (Australia)

• August 13, 2003: EPA deletes parts of Monticello Mill Tailings site from National Priorities (Superfund) List (Utah)

• August 11, 2003: U.S. NRC cites BWXT for inoperable criticality monitors in Lynchburg nuclear fuel plant (Virginia)

• August 11, 2003: ICUC opposes proposed flooding of mined out Rabbit Lake mine (Saskatchewan)

• August 8, 2003: LES considers site in Lea County, New Mexico, for enrichment plant project

• August 7, 2003: Lambapur-Peddagattu uranium mining project will affect reserve forest and tiger reserve (India)

• August 6, 2003: Further capacity increase planned for Urenco's Almelo enrichment plant (The Netherlands)

• August 5, 2003: First section of decommissioned former RBU Hanau nuclear fuel plant site released for general use (Germany)

• August 1, 2003: U.S. NRC licenses the proposed changes to the Reclamation Plan for Pathfinder Mines Corp. Shirley Basin uranium mill site (Wyoming)

• August 1, 2003: U.S. NRC changes Ambrosia Lake license from standby to possession-only (New Mexico)

• August 1, 2003: Russia, U.S. to help Kyrgyzstan repair uranium tailings dump

• August 1, 2003: NGOs mobilizing against Lambapur-Peddagattu uranium mining project (India)

• August 1, 2003: Northern Territory Government signs off Jabiluka clean-up (Australia)

• July 2003: State cites Cotter for more violations at Cañon City uranium mill (Colorado)

• July 31, 2003: Canada to Align Environmental Assessment Regulations with its Nuclear Legislation

• July 31, 2003: Cadarache MOX fuel factory closed; concerns about possible future use for U.S. plutonium disposition program (France)

• July 31, 2003: Inadvertent shipment of nuclear fuel pellets in "empty" zirconium tubes (Missouri/Ontario)

• July 30, 2003: USEC ahead of schedule with centrifuge enrichment demonstration project (Ohio)

• July 30, 2003: Uranium mining sets off alarm bells in Andhra Pradesh (India)

• July 29, 2003: Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Siginificant Impact documents available for New Rifle, Colorado, UMTRA Ground Water Project Site

• July 28, 2003: Solution freeboard limit exceeded in IUC's White Mesa Mill tailings disposal cell #3 (Utah)

• July 28, 2003: IAEA confirms: Iraq was developing DU weapons

• July 25, 2003: NFS receives first shipment of highly enriched uranium for downblending (Tennessee)

• July 25, 2003: Security guards at Gronau enrichment plant on strike (Germany)

• July 24, 2003: NRPB dismisses ECRR radiation risk report

• July 24, 2003: Meghalaya State Government to install committee on Domiasiat uranium project (India)

• July 24, 2003: No excess plutonium in Cañon City soil samples (Colorado)

• July 22, 2003: Violation of criticality rule at FBFC nuclear fuel fabrication plant, Romans-sur-Isère (France)

• July 21, 2003: U.S. DOE revises List of Facilities covered by Worker Compensation

• July 16, 2003: Judge rejects Paducah workers' recycled uranium exposure claims (Kentucky)

• July 14, 2003: Second partial disclosure of amount of DU used in Iraq

• July 2003: No widespread DU contamination found in the Balkan area with lichens as biomonitors

• July 11, 2003: Uzbekistan to participate in reclamation of Maylii-Su tailings (Kyrgyzstan)

• July 9, 2003: Nuclear power plant at Jaduguda (India)?

• July 9, 2003: Traditional Owners negotiating agreement to shelve Jabiluka uranium mine project (Australia)

• July 7, 2003: UK NERC issues Science Announcement of Opportunity for research programme on DU transport mechanisms in the environment

• July 7, 2003: NFS receives first of three license amendments required for BLEU project (Tennessee)

• July 2, 2003: South Australia EPA issues tender for review of the environmental impacts of the In-situ acid leach mining process

• June 30, 2003: European researchers present investigation results on Kyrgyz tailings

• June 23, 2003: Dan Fahey presents assessment of Depleted Uranium Use in the 2003 Iraq War

• June 18, 2003: Province and Northerners join McClean Lake Appeal (Saskatchewan)

• June 17, 2003: Philotechnics to double DU counterweight imports from UK for disposal in Texas

• June 16, 2003: Epidemiological study to be performed among residents of the Urgeiriça uranium sites (Portugal)

• June 16, 2003: Cleanup of uranium sites at Urgeiriça may be postponed for lack of funds (Portugal)

• June 13, 2003: IAEA investigation finds DU no threat in Kuwait

• June 11, 2003: U.S. NRC releases draft guidance on applying backfit requirements to fuel cycle facilities for comment

• June 10, 2003: Savannah River Site completes depleted uranium metal shipments to Utah disposal site

• June 10, 2003: U.S. Forest Service closes access to abandoned Juniper uranium mine site (California)

• June 8, 2003: More opposition to Domiasiat uranium mine project (India)

• June 6, 2003: Texas Commission on Environmental Quality considers Agreed Order imposing $41,500 penalty with $40,900 deferred on violations at Hobson ISL

• June 5, 2003: Tadjikistan to extract residual uranium from Kyrgyz tailings?

• June 5, 2003: Environmentalists call for start of cleanup at Urgeiriça (Portugal)

• June 4, 2003: Bighorn Canyon to clean up exploratory uranium mines (Wyoming/Montana)

• June 4, 2003: Open-cast uranium mining in Meghalaya likely (India)

• June 3, 2003: Governor signs bill imposing additional requirements on Cotter Corp. for Cañon City uranium mill (Colorado)

• June 3, 2003: U.S. DOE Announces New Contract Opportunities for Cleanup Work at Paducah and Portsmouth Sites

• June 3, 2003: U.S. DOE amends rule on Reimbursement for Costs of Remedial Action at Active Uranium and Thorium Processing Sites

• June 2, 2003: U.S. DOE issues Draft Environmental Assessment Document for New Rifle, Colorado, UMTRA Ground Water Project Site for Public Comment

• May 23, 2003: U.S. DOE issues Floodplain/Wetlands Statement of Findings for Interim Action at Atlas Moab tailings site

• May 22, 2003: Key ally of ruling party opposes uranium exploration moves in Domiasiat (India)

• May 22, 2003: HEU downblending starts at Savannah River Site (South Carolina)

• May 22, 2003: State government to issue mining license for Lambapur-Peddagattu project (India)

• May 22, 2003: Committee finds no problems in Jaduguda (India)

• May 21, 2003: UF6 truck crashes on A1 in the Netherlands

• May 20, 2003: U.S. NRC issues Notice of Request for Certificate Renewal and Opportunity for Comment: Paducah and Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plants

• May 19, 2003: U.S. DOE issues Notice of Intent To Release Information About Uranium Mines and Properties in the United States to Other Federal Agencies

• May 15, 2003: First partial disclosure of amount of DU used in Iraq in 2003 Gulf War

• May 15, 2003: License terminated for FBFC Pierrelatte nuclear fuel plant (France)

• May 14, 2003: Texas Commission on Environmental Quality issues Agreed Order imposing penalty on violations at Hobson ISL mine

• May 9 , 2003: First phase of cleanup completed at Sillamäe tailings pond (Estonia)

• May 9, 2003: U.S. NRC announces Finding of No Significant Impact and availability of the Environmental Assessment regarding the proposed changes to the Reclamation Plan for Pathfinder Mines Corp. Shirley Basin uranium mill site (Wyoming)

• May 8, 2003: Saskatchewan Environment invites comment on EIS for the Cigar Lake waste rock disposal in the McClean Lake mining facility's Sue C pit

• May 7, 2003: Colorado State parliament approves bill imposing additional requirements on Cotter Corp.'s Cañon City uranium mill

• May 7, 2003: U.S. NRC issues Environmental Assessment and FONSI for License Renewal of Framatome ANP Lynchburg nuclear fuel plant (Virginia)

• May 5, 2003: Tribal opposition blocks Domiasiat uranium mining project in northeast India

• May 3, 2003: 80 protest outside Dundrennan firing range at DU tests (Scotland)

• May 2, 2003: U.S. NRC issues revised draft Safety Evaluation Report on proposed MOX facility (South Carolina)

• April 30, 2003: U.S. DOE issues Draft Environmental Assessment Addendum for Disposition of Additional Waste at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant (Kentucky)

• April 30, 2003: USEC ends funding of research on SILEX enrichment process and focuses on centrifuge technology

• April 29, 2003: U.S. NRC: NFS continues Blended Low-Enrichment Uranium (BLEU) project construction at its own risk (Tennessee)

• April 29, 2003: U.S. DOE releases transportation plan for upcoming depleted uranium hexafluoride shipments to planned conversion plant

• April 28, 2003: U.S. DOE informs the public of the change in the approach for the NEPA review for the DUF6 conversion projects

• April 25, 2003: CNSC announces hearing on EA Guidelines for new license of McClean Lake mine (Saskatchewan)

• April 25, 2003: British soldiers returning from Iraq offered DU tests

• April 24, 2003: U.S. NRC issues Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact on proposed removal of contaminated soil from Nuclear Fuel Services Erwin (Tennessee) plant

• April 24, 2003: UK Royal Society calls on coalition forces to reveal where DU has been used in Iraq

• April 24, 2003: UNEP releases desk study on environment in postwar Iraq

• April 23, 2003: UK MoD to aid Iraq DU removal

• April 23, 2003: Mailii-Su uranium mill tailings threatened by landslide (Kyrgyzstan)

• April 23, 2003: Final EA and FONSI Documents Available for UMTRA Ground Water Project Site at Naturita, Colorado

• April 22, 2003: Hyderabad Nuclear Fuel Complex resumes operation after Nov. 2002 blast (India)

• April 22, 2003: U.S. Appeals Court overturns award won in 2001 by residents of Cotter's Cañon City uranium mill (Colorado)

• April 18, 2003: Sumitomo says JCO to cease uranium reprocessing operations in Tokaimura (Japan)

• April 17, 2003: Rio Tinto confirms commitment to respect aboriginal opposition to Jabiluka mine project (Australia)

• April 15, 2003: UK Royal Society calls for cleanup of depleted uranium munitions in Iraq

• April 15, 2003: U.S. DOE reduces number of Alternative Disposal Sites considered for Atlas Moab tailings (Utah)

• April 15, 2003: U.S. GAO: funding once more may be inadequate for radiation exposure compensation program

• April 15, 2003: U.S. NRC announces opportunity for hearing re reclamation plan for Gore conversion plant (Oklahoma)

• April 14, 2003: US rejects Iraq depleted uranium clean-up

• April 14, 2003: CNSC announces hearing on Environmental Assessment Screening Report for the Cigar Lake waste rock disposal in the McClean Lake mining facility's Sue C pit (Saskatchewan)

• April 11, 2003: U.S. House approves legislation comprising $30 million grant for uranium mining industry

• April 11, 2003: CNSC announces hearing on Environmental Assessment Guidelines for the proposed construction of the Cigar Lake uranium mine (Saskatchewan)

• April 11, 2003: CNSC announces hearing on license renewal for Rabbit Lake mine (Saskatchewan)

• April 10, 2003: Truck with uranium hexafluoride cylinders wrecked in accident (Tennessee)

• April 9, 2003: U.S. NRC announces opportunity for hearing re USEC's Centrifuge License Application

• April 8, 2003: Capacity increase at TVEL Elektrostal nuclear fuel plant (Russia)

• April 7, 2003: McArthur River mine shut after water inflow (Saskatchewan)

• April 6, 2003: UNEP recommends studies of depleted uranium in Iraq

• April 4, 2003: Saskatchewan demands federal commitment for cleanup of abandoned uranium mine sites

• April 4, 2003: IPPNW calls for halt of DU ammunition use in Iraq

• April 2, 2003: NRC to issue License Renewal for Framatome ANP Lynchburg nuclear fuel plant (Virginia)

• March 2003: Study results available on chromosome aberrations found in Gulf and Balkans Wars' veterans

• March 27, 2003: U.S. NRC terminates Green Mountain Ion-Exchange Site license (Wyoming)

• March 27, 2003: Bill introduced in U.S. House to study DU weapons' health and environmental effects and to require cleanup of DU-contaminated sites in the U.S.

• March 27, 2003: South Australia to assess environmental impact of acid in-situ leach uranium mining

• March 26, 2003: 6700 objections filed against Gronau enrichment plant extension

• March 26, 2003: Australian Gulf War Veterans' Health Study finds no DU link

• March 25, 2003: U.S. Federal Court rescinds DOC charges against Eurodif and Urenco in dumping case

• March 25, 2003: Low-level DU contamination found in Bosnia and Herzegovina, UNEP calls for precaution

• March 24, 2003: U.S. NRC staff position on LES White Papers re centrifuge enrichment plant project policies

• March 21, 2003: Financing of Honeymoon uranium in-situ leach mine project still unclear (South Australia)

• March 2003: Reclamation Plan for Sequoyah Fuels Corp. Gore uranium conversion plant available (Oklahoma)

• March 17, 2003: Reclamation work starts on Malargüe uranium mill tailings (Argentina)

• March 14, 2003: U.S. NRC Accepts USEC's Centrifuge License Application For Technical Review

• March 14, 2003: Texas Commission on Environmental Quality proposes penalty on violations at Hobson uranium in-situ leach facility

• March 14, 2003: U.S. DOD Briefing on Depleted Uranium Weapons: No Health Risk

• March 14, 2003: British troops start test-firing DU munitions in Kuwait

• March 13, 2003: U.S. DOE releases Final Environmental Assessment and FONSI Documents for Slick Rock, Colorado, UMTRA Ground Water Project

• March 11, 2003: U.S. DOE issues Final Environmental Assessment and FONSI for Paducah Waste Disposition (Kentucky)

• March 11, 2003: New Report by Dan Fahey analyzes "Facts, Myths and Propaganda In the Debate Over Depleted Uranium Weapons"

• March 10, 2003: Rössing mine considering early close down (Namibia)

• March 10, 2003: Cameco withdraws from LES enrichment plant project (Tennessee)

• March 7, 2003: Western Nuclear files new groundwater modeling results in support of proposal to prohibit groundwater use (!) rather than prevent contaminant plume dispersion at Split Rock uranium mill tailings site (Wyoming)

• March 7, 2003: Colorado State Health Department seeks additional public comment on Maywood soils Environmental Assessment Report for Cañon City uranium mill

• March 7, 2003: U.S. HHS issues revised Proposed Rule describing procedure for designating additional classes of employees for eligibility for DOE worker compensation - Comment Period has been extended

• March 4, 2003: Pathfinder requests 2-year delay for completion of Lucky Mc and Shirley Basin uranium tailings covers (Wyoming)

• March 3, 2003: U.S. NRC staff intends to allow indefinite delay of decommissioning of Jefferson Proving Ground DU munitions test area (Indiana)

• March 3, 2003: U.S. FDA adopts uranium standard of 30 micrograms per liter for bottled water

• March 3, 2003: Six sentenced over 1999 JCO Tokai criticality accident (Japan)

• February 2003: U.S. DOE releases Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment on plan for management of reusable uranium

• February 28, 2003: U.S. NRC issues Request for comments on the scope of the proposed rulemaking on the control of slightly radioactive solid materials

• February 28, 2003: U.S. EPA raises concerns over DU munitions use at China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station (California)

• February 27, 2003: New tests planned on environmental impacts of DU shells fired into Solway Firth (Scotland)

• February 26, 2003: Agreement reached on assessment of impacts from Port Radium mine tailings (Canada)

• February 26, 2003: U.S. Court Upholds EPA Drinking Water Standards

• February 26, 2003: U.S. NRC issues notice on proposed Gas Hills uranium in-situ leach project (Wyoming)

• February 25, 2003: India tests new method to extract uranium from sea water

• February 23, 2003: Iran has centrifuges for uranium enrichment

• February 21, 2003: Violation of criticality rule at FBFC Romans nuclear fuel fabrication plant (France)

• February 20, 2003: Small fire in the feed hopper of the solid waste uranium recovery incinerator at Framatome ANP Richland, WA, nuclear fuel plant

• February 20, 2003: Draft Environmental Assessment Document for Naturita, Colorado, UMTRA Ground Water Project Site Available for Public Comment: No further remedial action

• February 19, 2003: United Nuclear chasing cattle... (New Mexico)

• February 19, 2003: Study finds no excess uranium in care providers involved in 1992 Amsterdam plane crash (Netherlands)

• February 18, 2003: UCIL has applied for grant of mining lease for their Lambapur-Peddagattu project (Andhra Pradesh, India)

• February 14, 2003: U.S. NRC issues draft Environmental Impact Statement for MOX fabrication plant for comment (South Carolina) - comment period extended

• February 14, 2003: Saskatchewan and Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission announce signing of agreement

• February 13, 2003: Mining to restart at Sierra Pintada uranium deposit (Argentina)

• February 12, 2003: USEC Files Application with U.S. NRC to License Centrifuge Enrichment Demonstration Facility

• February 12, 2003: European Parliament debate and resolution on unexploded ordnance and depleted uranium ammunition

• February 9, 2003: Iran announces development of first uranium mine and construction of nuclear fuel cycle facilities

• February 3, 2003: U.S. NRC to authorize decommissioning of depleted uranium munitions test area at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida

• January 2003: Regulatory issues of DU use in civilian products

• January 2003: Reclamation Plan for Sequoyah Fuels Corp. Gore uranium conversion plant available (Oklahoma)

• January 2003: WHO weakens drinking water standard for uranium

• January 27, 2003: Final Revision of U.S. NRC Procedure for Termination of Uranium Milling Licenses in Agreement States available

• January 27, 2003: Start of two month period to raise objections against Gronau enrichment plant extension (Germany)

• January 24, 2003: U.S. NRC to approve relaxed requirements for reclamation of Pathfinder Mines Corp. Shirley Basin uranium mill site (Wyoming)

• January 24, 2003: U.S. NRC announces opportunity to request hearing on Ambrosia Lake mill demolition plan (New Mexico)

• January 23, 2003: U.S. ATSDR releases Public Health Assessment on Eglin Air Force Base, Florida: No hazard from depleted munitions test area

• January 17, 2003: Wyoming drops requirement to restore groundwater to pre-mining conditions after uranium in-situ leaching

• January 16, 2003: Elevated radiation found near MELOX MOX fuel plant (France)

• January 14, 2003: Saxony contracts Wismut GmbH for reclamation of Johanngeorgenstadt uranium legacy sites (Germany)

• January 9, 2003: U.S. Navy confirms Pacific arms tests use depleted uranium

• January 8, 2003: Public Inquiry into extension of MELOX MOX fuel plant set to begin (France)

• January 3, 2003: U.S. NRC announces opportunity for hearing on Blended Low-Enrichment Uranium (BLEU) project (Tennessee)

• January 3, 2003: U.S. NRC issues Notice of Request to terminate the license for the Green Mountain Ion-Exchange Site, Wyoming

• January 3, 2003: U.S. EPA contradicting State: radioactive waste shipments to Cañon City mill unacceptable (Colorado)

• January 2, 2003: State lifts Cotter Corp's Cañon City uranium mill suspension to accept radioactive waste (Colorado)

> For older news, see the 2002 News Archive

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