AREVA Hall of Infamy

(last updated 16 May 2012)

• May 15, 2012: Uranium hexafluoride cylinders mixed up at Comurhex Pierrelatte conversion plant (France)

• May 11, 2012: Areva condemned for lung cancer death of former employee at Akouta uranium mine in Niger

• April 12, 2012: Violation of criticality rules at FBFC nuclear fuel fabrication plant (France)

• December 21, 2011: Areva/Comurhex condemned to 60,000 Euro in fines for 2009 water pollution incident at Malvési conversion plant (France)

• December 19, 2011: Group succeeds in collecting the amount of Euro 15,000 to replace Areva's sponsorship for local cultural event in Erlangen (Germany)

• October 20, 2011: Dose rate at boundary of Areva's Pierrelatte conversion plant exceeds 1 mSv standard (France)

• September 30, 2011: Appeals court finds Areva guilty of 2008 uranium spill in Tricastin and imposes 300,000 EUR fine (France)

• September 16, 2011: ASN releases supplemental safety reports on French nuclear fuel facilities prepared in wake of Fukushima disaster; Areva impedes download of its reports

• August 30, 2011: Uranium concentration in surface water at Areva's Shirley Basin tailings site exceeds drinking water standard (Wyoming)

• August 29, 2011: Suspected theft of yellow cake from Areva's Trekkopje uranium mine (Namibia)

• August 8, 2011: UF6 cylinder heated at Eurodif plant without connection to installations (France)

• July 22, 2011: Faulty locking device at overpack of UF6 cylinder in yard of Eurodif enrichment plant - again (France)

• July 19, 2011: Radioactive material from former uranium mines found dispersed in Limousin area (France)

• June 30, 2011: Protest against train carrying uranium oxide passing through station of Valence (France)

• June 27, 2011: Group wants Areva replaced as sponsor of cultural event (Germany):
  Under the slogan "Poesie ohne Uranstaub " (Poetry without uranium dust), a citizens' group is trying to find a replacement for Areva as a sponsor for the 2012 installment of the annual Poetenfest (Poetry Festival) in Erlangen, Germany. Areva donates Euro 15,000 annually for the festival.
  On Dec. 19, 2011, the group announced that it had actually succeeded in collecting the amount of Euro 15,000.

• June 20, 2011: Areva tried to prevent nomination of Koongarra uranium deposit site for inclusion into Kakadu National Park (Australia)

• June 7, 2011: Areva ordered to remove illegally disposed decommissioning wastes in former Limousin uranium mining area (France)

• May 30, 2011: UF6 container overfilled at Eurodif enrichment plant (France)

• May 24, 2011: Violation of criticality rules at Cadarache MOX fuel fabrication plant (France)

• May 23, 2011: Suit filed against Areva for inappropriate disposal of decommissioning wastes in former Limousin uranium mining area (France)

• May 12, 2011: Faulty locking devices at overpack of UF6 cylinders (France)

• March 11, 2011: Loss of criticality safety controls at Areva Richland, WA, nuclear fuel plant

• March 8, 2011: 200 homes to be demolished for excess radiation at Areva's former uranium mine site in Mounana (Gabon)

• December 30, 2010: Violation of criticality rules at Cadarache MOX fuel fabrication plant (France)

• December 17, 2010: Dam failure of retention basin spills 200 cubic metres of uranium-containing liquids at Arlit mine (Niger)

• November 9, 2010: Violation of criticality rules at Cadarache MOX fuel fabrication plant (France)

• October 29, 2010: U.S. NRC denies request to postpone the initiation of decommissioning of Areva's Lynchburg nuclear fuel plant (Virginia)

• October 14, 2010: Court clears Areva of water pollution charges in uranium spill case at Tricastin nuclear site, but imposes EUR 40,000 penalty for neglect to report the accident immediately (France)

• September 26, 2010: Niger citizens file class action in USA against Areva

• September 17, 2010: Study finds elevated uranium levels in groundwater near Tricastin nuclear site partly caused by former site activities (France)

• August 16, 2010: NGO calls for independent study on radiological situation in Mounana (Gabon)

• August 10, 2010: U.S. NRC identifies willful falsification of documents at Areva NP's Richland nuclear fuel plant (Washington)

• August 10, 2010: Advocacy group opposes pre-construction exemption for Areva's Eagle Rock enrichment plant (Idaho)

• June 17, 2010: 100,000 Euro penalty demanded on uranium spills at Tricastin nuclear site (France)

• June 9, 2010: French wine appellation "Coteaux du Tricastin" wins name change after uranium spill

• May 17, 2010: Areva ignores bookkeeping requirements on isotopic composition of depleted uranium stored at Bessines site (France)

• May 10, 2010: Release of fluorine and nitrogen at Comurhex Pierrelatte conversion plant (France)

• April 27, 2010: U.S. NRC issues Confirmatory Order to Areva NP's nuclear fuel processing facility in Richland, Wash.

• April 19, 2010: Inspector calls for improvement of water treatment at Bellezane tailings site (France)

• April 13, 2010: Greenpeace protests arrival of French depleted uranium hexafluoride in St. Petersburg (Russia)

• April 12, 2010: Death of aquatic life near desalination plant of Areva's Trekkopje uranium mine (Namibia)

• April 8, 2010: In the North Sea, Greenpeace attaches protest banner at vessel carrying depleted uranium from France to Russia

• April 6, 2010: At Tricastin, France, Greenpeace blocks train carrying depleted uranium destined for Russia

• March 29, 2010: Greenpeace accuses Areva of neglecting health of Nigeriens

• March 27, 2010: Crystallizer overfilled at Eurodif enrichment plant - again (France)

• March 24, 2010: Greenpeace protests in St Petersburg and Moscow against import of French depleted uranium to Russia

• March 17, 2010: Greenpeace protests in Moscow against import of French depleted uranium to Russia

• March 15, 2010: Crystallizer overfilled at Eurodif enrichment plant (France)

• March 12, 2010: At harbor of Montoir-de-Bretagne, France, Greenpeace disturbs loading of vessel destined for Russia with depleted uranium hexafluoride

• March 11, 2010: Near Paris, France, Greenpeace blocks train carrying depleted uranium hexafluoride destined for Russia, calls for moratorium on nuclear waste exports

• March 5, 2010: Protests over circumstances of Areva's uranium mining activities in Niger

• February 16, 2010: At Tricastin, France, Greenpeace blocks train carrying depleted uranium hexafluoride destined for Russia

• February 11, 2010: Worker contaminated in glove box accident at MELOX fuel fabrication plant (France)

• February 9, 2010: Toxic waste dumped on former Mounana uranium mine site? (Gabon)

• January 29, 2010: Decantation basin which failed in 2004 at the Malvési conversion plant contains traces of artificial radionuclides (France)

• January 24, 2010: At Cherbourg (France), activisits block train carrying depleted uranium hexafluoride destined for Russia

• January 4, 2010: Nuclear Safety Authority finds that decantation basin which failed in 2004 at the Malvési conversion plant is not properly authorized; control over two basins withdrawn from Comurhex/Areva (France)

• December 7, 2009: Survey still identifies elevated radiation levels around decommissioned Mounana uranium mine site (Gabon)

• December 7, 2009: At Cherbourg (France), Greenpeace blocks train carrying depleted uranium hexafluoride destined for Russia

• November 27, 2009: Nuclear Safety Authority condemns poor management of Areva/Comurhex Pierrelatte uranium conversion plant (France)

• November 26, 2009: Greenpeace survey still finds excessive radiation levels in Niger's uranium mining towns

• November 17, 2009: Uranium-containing slurries detected in rainwater collection system of FBFC Romans nuclear fuel fabrication plant (France)

• November 6, 2009: MOX fuel lots mixed up at MELOX fuel fabrication plant (France)

• October 25, 2009: Surplus enriched uranium found at Cadarache MOX fuel fabrication plant (France)

• October 21, 2009: Loss of criticality safety controls at Areva Richland nuclear fuel plant (Washington)

• October 15, 2009: ASN suspends dismantling work at Cadarache MOX fuel fabrication plant for undeclared criticality hazard (France)

• August 25, 2009: Release of fluorine from Comurhex Malvési conversion plant to the canal du Tauran (France)
• August 19, 2009: U.S. NRC denies Areva NP's request to withhold Advanced Notifications of Export Shipments from public disclosure

• August 12, 2009: Athabasca Regional Government challenges license renewal for McClean Lake mine and mill (Saskatchewan)

• July 24, 2009: Security guard falsified access authorization forms at AREVA NP Inc. Richland nuclear fuel plant (Washington)

• April 21, 2009: Elevated uranium concentrations found in groundwater on site of Malvési conversion plant (France)

• April 21, 2009: Elevated contaminant concentrations found in surface waters near Malvési conversion plant after thunderstorm (France)

• March 30, 2009: NGO demands public release of the contract on uranium exploration and exploitation concluded between the DR Congo and Areva

• March 26, 2009: NGOs urge Areva to respect the environment and the health of the residents at its uranium mines in Niger

• March 4, 2009: Violation of criticality rules at MELOX MOX fuel plant (France)

• February 3, 2009: Violation of criticality rules at EURODIF enrichment plant (France)

• January 30, 2009: Areva trying to block TV documentary on residual contamination left around former uranium mine sites in France

• December 15, 2008: Tricastin nuclear site partly flooded (France)

• December 12, 2008: Protest in St Petersburg against arrival of depleted uranium shipment from France

• September 24, 2008: Elevated uranium concentration found in groundwater at former COGEMA/SICN nuclear fuel fabrication plant at Veurey-Voroize (France)

• September 24, 2008: Uranium concentration in groundwater near Pierrelatte conversion plant exceeds WHO drinking water guidance (France)

• September 24, 2008: Uranium concentration in surface waters near Malvési conversion plant exceeds WHO drinking water guidance (France)

• August 22, 2008: Uranium leak in sewage system of Comurhex Pierrelatte conversion plant (France)

• July 29, 2008: U.S. NRC issues Notice of Violation to Shaw Areva MOX Services for deficiencies during MOX fuel plant construction (South Carolina)

• July 24, 2008: French wine appellation "Coteaux du Tricastin" seeks name change after uranium spill

• July 22, 2008: Elevated radiation levels found at former Rosglas uranium mine site (Bretagne, France)

• July 20, 2008: Niger's Tuareg rebels demand share of uranium revenue

• July 17, 2008: Leak detected in sewage system of FBFC Romans nuclear fuel fabrication plant (France)

• July 16, 2008: Uranium concentrations in groundwater still elevated at a few locations near Tricastin plant, possibly unrelated to recent uranium spill (France)

• July 11, 2008: French Nuclear Safety Authority orders shutdown of SOCATRI Tricastin plant after uranium spill

• July 8, 2008: Uranium-containing waste liquid spills at Tricastin nuclear site (France)

• July 2, 2008: Cleanup at former St-Priest-la-Prugne uranium mine still uncomplete (Loire, France)

• June 20, 2008: Criticality rules violated at FBFC nuclear fuel fabrication plant, Romans-sur-Isère (Drôme, France)

• May 30, 2008: Bellona stages protest against arrival of depleted uranium shipment from France at St Petersburg port (Russia)

• March 5, 2008: Cogema seeks approval for groundwater restoration at Christensen Ranch in-situ leach site (Wyoming) - with uranium levels still up to 27 times the target restoration value and up to 128 times the drinking water standard

• January 23, 2008: Areva receives Public Eye Award as one of "the world's most irresponsible companies" for its uranium mining operations in Niger

• December 6, 2007: Unexpected criticality hazard found in Tricastin enrichment plant (France)

• November 29, 2007: Elevated radiation levels found around decommissioned St Pierre du Cantal uranium mine site (France)

• November 23, 2007: Areva signs contract on construction of desalination plant for Trekkopje mine project - even before environmental assessment and feasibility studies concluded

• November 13, 2007: Areva has no scruples about taking advantage of Namibia's very special regulatory regime: Draft Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Report for Trekkopje Uranium Project available for comment - for just two weeks

• September 8, 2007: Hundreds march in Niger against Areva

• August 29, 2007: Niger civil society claims US$ 640 million from AREVA in damages

• July 17, 2007: Spill at Marcoule waste water treatment plant (France)

• May 29, 2007: Violation of criticality rules at MELOX MOX fuel plant (France)

• May 15, 2007: NGOs demand immediate removal of radioactive material found in the streets of Akokan (Niger)

• April 6, 2007: U.S. NRC schedules conference with Areva to discuss apparent violations at its Richland, Wash. fuel facility

• April 4, 2007: NGOs denounce health and environmental situation at Areva's former Mounana uranium mine, Gabon

• March 29, 2007: Regulator cites Eurodif for failure to report criticality-related event in enrichment plant (France)

• March 21, 2007: ASN orders CEA to clear former Cadarache MOX fuel plant of all nuclear material by end June 2008 (France)

• January 9, 2007: ASN upgrades Cadarache MOX fuel plant incident to level 2 on INES scale (France)

• November 14, 2006: CRIIRAD finds unexpected radionuclide concentrations in slurries at Comurhex Malvési conversion plant (France)

• October 23, 2006: Workers exposed to hydrogen fluoride (HF) release at Areva NP, Inc., Richland nuclear fuel plant (Washington)

• October 12, 2006: IRSN demands cleanup of soil contaminated from spills at Comurhex Malvési plant (France)

• July 24, 2006: New spill of slurries at Comurhex Malvési conversion plant went undetected for one month (France)

• June 30, 2006: Criticality rules violated at TU5 conversion facility (France)

• March 5, 2006: New spill at Comurhex Malvési conversion plant (France)

• January 30, 2006: Production halted at Malvési conversion plant after new spill and for decantation pond dam failure hazard after heavy rain (France)

• December 7, 2005: Greenpeace tries to block entry of depleted uranium shipment from France into St Petersburg port (Russia)

• December 1, 2005: Greenpeace blocks depleted uranium export to Russia at Le Havre (France)

• November 21, 2005: Areva/Cogéma receives rather poor rating for environmental issues at Niger uranium mines

• September 23, 2005: Areva/Cogema sees "moral obligation" for uranium mining countries to take back spent fuel

• June 24, 2005: Cogéma to appear before the Criminal Court of Limoges for pollution at former uranium mine sites in the Limousin area (France)

• April 25, 2005: CRIIRAD releases studies on impacts of uranium mining in Niger

• November 10, 2004: Hearings granted on COGEMA request for relaxed groundwater restoration standards at Holiday/El Mesquite uranium ISL mines

• November 3, 2004: Appeals Court finally decides that Cogema has to appear in Criminal Court on alleged pollution at old uranium mine sites in France

• October 2004: High radiation levels found at abandoned Vatovory mine (Madagascar), formerly mined by Cogéma's predecessor CEA

• July 22, 2004: The inglorious legacy of COGEMA in Gabon

• May 17, 2004: Violation of criticality rule at FBFC nuclear fuel fabrication plant, Romans-sur-Isère (France)

• April 28, 2004: Elevated radiation levels found at decommissioned St Pierre du Cantal uranium mine site (France)

• March 25, 2004: Appeals court sends Cogema back before Criminal Court on pollution at old uranium mine sites (France)

• March 20, 2004: Dam failure of decantation pond at Malvési conversion plant (France)

• February 4, 2004: FBFC Romans nuclear fuel fabrication plant applies for capacity increase (France)

• February 4, 2004: Authorities trying to locate disseminated material from former St-Priest-la-Prugne uranium mine (France)

• January 28, 2004: Uranium spill at Comurhex Pierrelatte conversion plant (France)

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

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

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

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

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

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

• October 8, 2002: Elevated radiation found around Tricastin nuclear site (France)

• September 24, 2002: Court quashes McClean Lake operating license (Saskatchewan)

• September 7, 2002: Judicial inquiry on pollution at old uranium mine sites initiated against Cogema (France)

• March 16, 2002: Explosion at Cogéma Pierrelatte TU5 conversion facility (France)

• January 30, 2002: TNRCC issues orders assessing penalties against COGEMA in-situ leach mines (Texas)

• November 2001: Cleanup of old uranium mines in Puy-de-Dôme department demanded (France)

• October 20, 2001: Comurhex Pierrelatte uranium conversion plant flooded (France)

• July 2000: COGEMA/SICN nuclear fuel plant license jeopardized by poor safety culture (France)

• July 19, 2000: DSIN inspectors demand shutdown of COGEMA Cadarache MOX fuel plant for earthquake hazard (France)

• January 6, 2000: Eight monitor wells continuously on excursion status at Cogema's Christensen Ranch / Irigaray in-situ leaching site (Wyoming)

• August 3, 1999: Dumping of uranium conversion waste near Pierrelatte stopped (France)

• April 15, 1998: Cogema fined for spill at McClean Lake, Saskatchewan

• March 26, 1998: No license renewal for Cogema's Cluff Lake uranium mine (Canada)

• February 6, 1998: AECB scathes Cogema's management of Cluff Lake uranium mine (Canada)

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