Issues at Operating Uranium Mines and Mills - Other Countries
(last updated 23 Jul 2010)
Contents:
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> see extra page
> See also: National Reports for Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management 
(IAEA)
> See also Sierra Pintada Uranium District, Mendoza
Uranium mining in San Rafael is opposed by ¿Uranio? No Gracias .
The Supreme Court of the Nation rejected an appeal filed by "Multisectorial of the South for a sustainable development" against the National Commission of Atomic Energy (CNEA), the state-owned organism that owns the Sierra Pintada uranium complex. The appeal focused on the possible hazard of contamination of water resources by the uranium mine.
(Los Andes June 12, 2010)
A report prepared by the Nuclear Regulatory Authority (ARN) found that concentrations of natural uranium and radium in Río Diamante were below national and international guideline values during the monitoring period 1998-2007, despite the impacts of the inactive San Rafael uranium mine site.
(Los Andes 4 Apr 2009)
The Federal Chamber of Appeals of the province of Mendoza ordered the Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica (CNEA) to abstain from reopening the San Rafael uranium mine (that is inactive since 1995), because it is potentially harmful for the environment.
(Los Andes 19 Feb 2009)
CNEA expects to begin the works to repair the effluent ponds at the former Sierra Pintada uranium mine with an investment of $5 million early in December 2007. This is a prerequisite for future resumption of the mine operation.
(Diario Uno Nov. 9, 2007)
At the request of a member of Multisectoral del Sur , a federal judge ordered that no works preparing production may be performed at the Sierra Pintada uranium mine. The judge summoned a hearing on June 26, 2007. (Diario San Rafael 20 June 2007)
The World Bank is interested in financing the restart of the Sierra Pintada uranium mine, provided that a solution is found for the reclamation of the former operations.
(Los Andes June 6, 2007)
The wine producers of the San Rafael river basin fear that the reopening of a uranium mine in the Sierra Pintada area endangers the prestige that their wine has in the exporting market, mainly American and European. In an attempt to measure the real impact of the uranium, they summoned specialists of the National University of La Plata (UNLP) to analyze water, grape juice, and products of the region.
(Diario Hoy April 1, 2007)
A powerful coalition of vineyards, organic farmers and local businesses is up in arms, warning residents that their water, air and soil are at risk of being poisoned and their livelihoods, export markets, tourist industry and health could be ruined.
The issue is so explosive that for now, there is no official talk of restarting the Sierra Pintada mine complex. A public hearing is scheduled for February 17, 2007, to discuss the National Atomic Energy Commission's (CNEA) plan to clean up uranium waste that has been left at the site since operations halted a decade ago.
Opponents say the plan, presented to the provincial government a year ago, is flawed and merely "environmental window dressing".
"We are urgently asking for a clean-up but based on a serious study, not a secondary-school report", said Raul Montenegro, a biologist with the 38-group coalition.
He said waters in the Tigre stream, which flows through the mine and into the Diamond River that supplies semi-arid San Rafael with drinking water, contain up to 75 micrograms of uranium per litre - which he said was more than twice the levels permitted in the US, Canada and Australia.
The CNEA says the water is naturally high in uranium and independent studies have proved there is no contamination.
(Financial Times Feb. 8, 2007)
On Dec. 1, 2006, Multisectorial del Sur held a demonstration in San Rafael against the reopening of the Sierra Pintada uranium mine.
(Diario San Rafael Dec. 4, 2006)
The public hearing scheduled on Nov. 2, 2006, for discussion of CNEA's Environmental Impact Study for the reclamation of the abandoned Sierra Pintada uranium mine was suspended upon receipt of a notification issued by the Fourth Civilian Court of San Rafael at the request of Multisectoral del Sur. (Diario Uno Nov. 2, 2006)
Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica (CNEA) has opened an information centre at San Rafael to inform the public on the proposed reopening of the Sierra Pintada uranium mine. (Diario Uno Oct. 29, 2006)
On October 16 - 20, 2006, a public hearing will be held on the reopening of the Sierra Pintada uranium mine. Provided the Provincial Government issues a declaration of environmental impact, the reclamation of the environmental liabilites from former mining at the site could start by the end of the year.
The reclamation work would take two years; CNEA has a total budget of $ 17 million for it.
(Diario Uno Sep. 16, 2006)
At the occasion of the visit of Argentina's president Néstor Kirchner on August 29, 2006, Multisectorial del Sur held a march in San Rafael against the reopening of the Sierra Pintada uranium mine.
(Diario San Rafael Sep. 4, 2006)
Frightened by the possible contamination of the Diamante River and the environment, hundreds of inhabitants marched on June 2, 2006, through the downtown streets of San Rafael to demand that the Sierra Pintada uranium mine should not be reopened nor any other uranium mine should be permitted.
(Diario Uno June 3, 2006)
CNEA has scheduled the beginning of the reclamation of the Sierra Pintada uranium mine for mid-2006. CNEA maintains, however, that the requested complete reclamation of the old workings is not possible, since most backfilling could only be done after the final closure of the mine. For the reclamation work, approval of the provincial government is required.
The mine could then be reopened in mid-2007. For resumption of mining, in addition, a new license has to obtained from the nuclear authority Autoridad Regulatoria Nuclear (ARN).
(Los Andes March 22, 2006)
A march against the re-opening of the Sierra Pintada uranium mine prior to cleanup of the environmental liabilities of former mining is held in San Rafael on Feb. 17, 2006. (Diario San Rafael Feb. 17, 2006)
The Federal Court of San Rafael has ordered the prohibition of all activities associated with the re-opening of the Sierra Pintada uranium mine. The decision was taken at the request of Multisectorial para el Desarrollo Sustentable, an organization comprising about 40 local NGOs, and having repeatedly spoken out against the reopening of the mine before the environmental liabilities of nearly 20 years of uranium mining have not been cleaned up.
(Diario San Rafael Apr. 4, 2005)
On March 17, 2005, Alberto Llach, president of the Chamber of Commerce of San Rafael, confirmed the position of the directory: "Before considering the reactivation of uranium mining, CNEA must reclaim the environmental liabilities in San Rafael and Malargüe".
(Los Andes March 18, 2005)
On July 27, 2004, Argentina's atomic energy commission (CNEA) has handed over to Mendoza provincial authorities the environmental impact study (EIS) to revive the Sierra Pintada uranium mine, located in Mendoza's San Rafael district. CNEA wants Sierra Pintada, which has a capacity of 120t/y, to produce close to 2,500t of uranium over 20 years. The 1800-page document was prepared by the Technical University of Avellaneda.
Ongoing negotiations are aimed at resolving the question of environmental legacies resulting from previous operations at the mine. It is CNEA's responsibility to find a solution to these problems, which include uranium tailings.
Moreover, a committee from the province's lower house of parliament has been set up to look into the economic and social aspects of the project and has been given 90 days to report back.
(BNamericas 29 Jul 2004, Ministerio de Economía Jul 2004)
Argentina's atomic energy commission CNEA is pushing ahead with administrative procedures to enable it to reopen the San Rafael uranium deposit in the Sierra Pintada area of southern Mendoza province, in the central-west region of the country. The CNEA will present an environmental impact study (EIS) for the project in coming days, Juan Fallet, the province's mining authority director told BNamericas. Preparations are going ahead despite protests by an NGO known as Fundación Nativa and some members of the San Rafael chamber of commerce who are opposed to the development. "There will probably be a public hearing to decide the next steps," Fallet said.
(BNamericas Oct. 30, 2003)
The local Chamber of Commerce (Cámara de Comercio, Industria y Agropecuaria de San Rafael ) joins the opposition against the reopening of the Sierra Pintada uranium mine, since the mine would have severe impacts on the regional economy. (Los Andes Aug. 25, 2003)
> See also: San Rafael: los vecinos ya le dicen no a la mina de uranio. (The neighbours already say no to the uranium mine) (FUNAM Aug. 26, 2003, in Spanish)
The Argentine National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA) is preparing to restart mining operations at its Sierra Pintada uranium deposit in Mendoza province. The mine has been shut since 1997 and should be up and running by October 2003.
(BNamericas 13 Feb 2003)
> See also: National Reports for Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management (IAEA)
> View deposit info
IAEA inspection team identifies groundwater impacts at Caetité uranium mine
A new IAEA service for the promotion of best practices and safety in the uranium production cycle, the Uranium Production Site Appraisal Team (UPSAT), was first used to review the uranium production site of Caetité, State of Bahia, Brazil, in a two-week visit of the site that was completed on 5 February 2010.
The Indústrias Nucleares do Brasil (INB) had requested the IAEA to assemble a team to visit the uranium mining and milling plant at Caetité with the objective to receive an evaluation of its performance.
The international team of experts identified good practices within the production system and gave advise on areas for future improvements.
Within the mining production area, some environmental impacts in ground water have been noted, probably in relation to above-ground disposal of mining residues and waste. These should be further studied to confirm that they are real and, if so, appropriate remedial actions implemented and appropriate adjustments made to the environmental monitoring programme
(IAEA Feb. 9, 2010)
Wells near Caetité uranium mine closed for excess radiation levels
The Instituto de Gestão das Águas e Clima (INGÁ) has ordered the immediate suspension of water use from three water wells in Caetité that showed elevated levels radioactivity. Two of the wells are located on INB's premises and are used for industrial purposes, while the third well is used for potable water supply. INB maintains that the third well is located at a distance of 6 kilometres from the mine and could therefore not be impacted by the mine.
(INGÁ Jan. 20, 2010; INB Jan. 22, 2010)
INB releases results of groundwater monitoring near Caetité uranium mill
On Dec. 10, 2008, Indústrias Nucleares do Brasil (INB) released a report on the results of groundwater monitoring in the community of Juazeiro which is located at a distance of 7 km from the uranium mill (Unidade de Concentrado de Urânio, URA) processing the ore extracted from the Caetité uranium mine. The average uranium concentration in groundwater at Juazeiro during the survey period in the years 2000 - 2008 (covering the operational phase of the mill) was 3.07 micrograms per litre, with a maximum of 14.3 micrograms per litre. All values remained below the applicable standard (Resolução 396 do CONAMA) of 15 micrograms per litre.
The uranium concentration in the years 1900 - 1999 (before startup of the mill) was at a comparable level (average of 3.44 micrograms per litre, with a maximum of 14.2 micrograms per litre).
At the mill site, maximum uranium concentrations in groundwater came up to 1984 micrograms per litre (!).
> Download Informações sobre monitorações de águas na comunidade do Juazeiro (282kB PDF - in Portuguese)
INB plans to double production from Caetité uranium mine by 2011
At present, INB produces 400 tonnes a year of uranium at its Caetité mines in the northeastern Bahia state. In 2011, the INB plans to add 400 tonnes from Caetité's new Engenho pit, which should effectively double total production compared with now. (Reuters Dec. 10, 2007)
Parliamentary Commission finds serious deficiencies with control of Caetité uranium mine
On March 15, 2006, a working group of the House of Representatives' Commission on Environment and Sustainable Development released its report on nuclear control and safety. The report identifies serious deficiences with the control of the Caetité uranium mine, among others:
- The Caetité uranium mine has no regular operating license (Autorização para Operação Permanente - AOP); it still works with a startup license (Autorização para Operação Inicial - AOI) which has been extended by CNEN five times.
- INB had failed to report various incidents, including a major spill in April 2000: the release of 5000 cubic metres of uranium liquid was due to the failure to compact the soil under a pond liner, as prescribed in the license.
- The license was renewed even after a settling pond overtopped seven times in summer 2004 after heavy rain; the liquid (containing uranium-238, thorium-230, and radium-226) spilled into the river Riacho das Vacas.
> Comissão de Meio Ambiente e Desenvolvimento Sustentável - CMADS (in Portuguese)
> Download Relatório do Grupo de Trabalho Fiscalização e Segurança Nuclear, março de 2006 (1.84M PDF - in Portuguese)
On January 17, 2002, INB exported the first shipment of uranium from Caetité. The first 500-kg shipment went to Belgium. (EFE/Gazeta Mercantil Jan. 17, 2002)
Authorisation to resume uranium operations at Lagoa Real mine was given to Industrias Nucleares do Brasil (INB) by the environmental control entity - Instituto Brasileiro de Meio Ambiente e Recursos Renovaveis (Ibama) - and Comissão Nacional de Energia Nuclear (CNEN). Production was halted 12 months ago due to a uranium leakage. In that period, lost production amounted to 400 tonnes U3O8 (339 tU). (WNA News Briefing 01.46, Nov. 14, 2001)
In October 2000, INB put the operations of the Lagoa Real / Caetité mine on hold, in response to the leak that occured in April 2000. (Gazeta Mercantil, Oct. 27, 2000)
> View older issues
> View decommissioning issues
> See also: National Reports for Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management (IAEA)
International uranium mining training centre to open in Czech Republic
A new international nuclear training centre where experts can learn about the methods of uranium mining will be opened in Stráž pod Ralskem by the Diamo state enterprise with support of the World Nuclear University in London.
The first four-week course in the nuclear centre will take place in September and October 2006.
"We expect some 15 experts from China, India, Brazil, Argentina, Kazakhstan as well as other countries to apply for the course," said Ján Slezák, preparing the training centre.
(Prague Daily Monitor May 17, 2006; Mladá fronta DNES May 16, 2006)
> View deposit info
> View decommissioning issues
Miner dies in rockfall accident at Rožná uranium mine
A Slovak miner, 50, was fatally injured in the uranium mine in Rožná during tunnelling work early.
The Slovak miner, shift head, was hit with rock that got loose all of a sudden when the ceiling was being torn off.
(ČTK Dec. 18, 2009)
Less uranium than expected left in Rožná uranium mine
Less uranium than expected was found at the deeper levels of the Rožná uranium mine. Mining would therefore have to decline after 2012.
(Právo Sep. 10, 2009)
Uranium mining at Rožná to be extended further to 2015
Exploration showed the only operating Czech uranium mine Dolní Rožínka could operate until about 2015, three years longer than expected.
(Reuters Oct. 17, 2008)
Czech cabinet approves continuation of uranium mining at Rožná mine
In view of the rising uranium market prices, the Czech cabinet has approved the continuation of uranium mining at the Rožinká mine for as long as it will be profitable.
According to the latest estimates, mining could be profitable until 2012, and at the current market prices could generate a profit of Kč 2 billion [EUR 71 million].
(Prague Daily Monitor/ČTK 24 May 2007)
Czech Republic rejects Uran Ltd offer to buy stake in Rožná uranium mine, investigates further extension of mine life beyond 2008
The Czech Republic turned down an offer by Uran Ltd., an Australian uranium explorer, to purchase a stake at the Rožná uranium mine. Czech Industry Minister Martin Říman said the company's involvement is not needed because the rising price of uranium means Diamo can make the necessary investments without a partner.
Říman said he asked Diamo to prepare a document for the government on a possible continuation of mining and on exploration of new deposits. He said a detailed exploration of deposits located below the existing mine would cost 250 million koruna (US$ 11.66 million).
"The final decision on whether to continue in further mining and exploration will be left to the government," he said in the press release.
(Bloomberg Feb. 22, 2007)
Uran Ltd submits proposal for acquisition of interest in Rožná uranium mine
Following its recent announcement regarding discussions to acquire an interest in the Rožná underground uranium mine in the Czech Republic, Uran Limited advised on Feb. 19, 2007, that it has submitted a proposal to DIAMO, the state enterprise responsible for mining at Rožná.
Uranium mining in Rožná might once more be extended
Uranium mining in Rožná could continue even after 2008, Czech Prime Minister Jiří Paroubek said during a visit to the Geam plant. Chances are great that the EU's last uranium mine will remain in operation. The proposal for continued uranium mining made by the Industry and Trade Ministry will be dealt with by the cabinet in autumn 2005.
"We shall see how far we shall extend it because the deposits are there and they are plentiful," said Paroubek adding that the growth in world prices of uranium is a factor in favour of the continued operation.
World prices of uranium are one third higher than the mining costs, said Paroubek.
The costs for the repair of the environmental damages are estimated at CZK 6 billion [US$ 255 million].
(Prague Daily Monitor Sep. 9, 2005)
Rožná uranium mine to be shut down by 2005
Roman Makarius, chairman of the Czech Mining Office, announced the end of the operations at the country's last active uranium mine at Rožná in 2005.
(Prague Post Nov. 6, 2003)
Czech government approves further 2-year extension of Rožná uranium mine operation
On June 26, 2002, the Czech government approved a further 2-year extension of uranium mining at the country's last active uranium mine of Rožná until January 2006. The decision was criticized by Environment Minister Miloš Kužvart. (ČTK June 26, 2002)
Czech Government approves 2-year extension of uranium mining at Rožná
On November 8, 2000, the Czech Government approved the extension of the uranium mining at the Rožná mine in West Moravia until end 2003 rather than end 2001. (ČTK 8 Nov. 2000)
New effort to continue uranium mining operations
The Czech uranium mining company Diamo has started a new effort to get government approval for the continuation of its uranium mining operations at the Rožná mine for another two years after the scheduled closure in 2001. Diamo now wants to mine out readily available reserves, rather than expand its operations as proposed previously. (Hospodárske Noviny, 3 Sep 1999)
Uranium mining will not be continued after 2001
On July 21, 1999, the government of the Czech Republic reaffirmed that all uranium mining in the country will end in 2001. During the last months, Industry and Trade Minister Grégr had campaigned for the continuation of uranium mining for about four more years, to fulfill the needs of the domestic nuclear power plants. This would have included the reopening of the already shut down Hamr underground mine. Production costs would have been above world market prices, however.
Uranium mining suspended
A lack of finances at state uranium mining company Diamo forced it to suspend underground work at its Hamr and Rožná mines for two months, sending almost 400 employees home with 60% pay. (Prague Business Journal, March 3, 1999)
Uranium mining company Diamo began negotiating with unions to extend its current production suspension by another two months. (Prague Business Journal, April 21, 1999)
Plan to continue uranium mining
The Industry and Trade Ministry plans to propose to the government to delay the planned closure of the Rožinká uranium mine from 2001 to 2005. State mining company Diamo, which submitted an analysis of renewed uranium mining to the ministry, now plans to reopen a mine in Brzkov-Veznice. (Prague Business Journal, Feb. 18, 1999)
> See also: National Reports for Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management (IAEA)
Romanian government approves uranium subsidies for 2010
The government offers in 2010 subsidies of 29.5 million lei [EUR 7.1 million] to the National Company of Uranium Bucharest for the production of 45 tons of uranium octoxide. The company will receive another 2.8 million lei [EUR 0.67 million] for expenditure with meals, protection equipment and personnel transport.
(ACT Media Apr. 29, 2010)
New government subsidies for Romania's uranium mining company
The National Company of Uranium (CNU), the only producer of uranium in Romania, planned for this year investment of 25.7 million lei (Euro 6.2 million). Investments will be ensured from budgetary sources (18.9 million lei) and own sources (6.8 million lei).
"The investment programmed to be made in 2010 are for environment protection, in exploitation, for acquisition of independent machinery and technological equipment, as well as for feasibility studies for the construction of a works of preparation-refinery, as well as the exploitation of a new ore", the representatives of the company said.
CNU which belongs to the Ministry of Economy, Commerce and Business Environment has 1,800 employees.
(ACT Media Feb. 11, 2010)
Romania's uranium deposits sufficient to meet domestic demand for 10 years
The uranium production in Romania decreased constantly over the last decade, as several plants became unprofitable or ran out of ore and shut down. While Romania's energetic strategy for 2007-2020 mentions that the remaining uranium ores will support the functioning of two nuclear-electric units at Cernavoda for eight years, Nuclearelectrica officials declared that the reserve will hold for ten years.
(Realitatea Apr. 16, 2009)
Government subsidies for Romanian uranium mines lowered
According to the Ministry of Economics, the state subsidies for the Romanian national uranium mining company (CNU) have been reduced by 14.3%. On average, the subsidies for all mining companies have been lowered by approx. 28%.
(Allgemeine Deutsche Zeitung für Rumänien, Nov. 2, 2004)
Spill at uranium mine in western Romania
Several tons of waste sludge contaminated with uranium poured from a mining operation in western Romania into nearby streams and then the Fekete Körös River in eastern Hungary. (Los Angeles Times, April 20, 2000)
Ukraine suspends uranium exports
Ukraine suspended uranium exports in December 2006 after failing to fill up its national reserve to the required 2,400 tons, Mykyta Konstantynov, first vice president for economic policy and corporate development at Enerhoatom, a nuclear energy generating company, said in an interview published in the May 14, 2007, issue of Kiev-based Business weekly.
He noted that export restrictions would not apply to uranium purchased by Enerhoatom from VostGOK (Vostochnyy Mining Enrichment Plant) and supplied to Westinghouse (US) under a nuclear fuel qualification project with the American company.
(New Europe News May 19, 2007)
Ukraine could export natural uranium
> View details
> View deposit info
A heap leaching scheme is under preparation at the Ingul'skaya mine.
(Licensing experience of heap and stope (block) leaching of uranium ore in Ukraine, by Riazantsev Viktor, IAEA Technical Meeting on Low Grade Uranium Ore, 29 - 31 March 2010)
> View deposit info
Kayelekera mine reaches 50% of design capacity; full production expected by April:
Paladin's Australian-based Chief Financial Officer Garry Korte said Kayelekera has so far achieved 50 percent of its planned production capacity.
"Our design capacity is to produce 3.3 million pounds of uranium [1,269 t U] a year. So far, we are able to produce about 50 percent of our daily capacity. We hope to reach our full capacity by April this year," said Korte.
(Daily Times March 1, 2010)
NGO warns about impending uranium tailings dam failures and mudslides caused by earthquakes and/or heavy rain:
A South African-based non-governmental organisation, Bench Marks Foundation , has warned of impending ecological and human disasters in Karonga resulting from uranium mining and exposure to mudslides during rainy seasons.
However, government has trashed the NGO's predictions, describing it as “misguided and unfounded” and only aimed at instilling fear among Malawians living in Karonga and the surrounding areas.
In its February 1, 2010 media statement titled “Malawi town, a disaster waiting to happen”, the Foundation warns that any earthquake severe enough to damage Paladin's operations will see a toxic poisonous mix flood down from the mountains above Karonga into Lake Malawi below.
“The ecological and human disaster, which will follow will be unspeakable,” the Foundation's Executive Director John Capel says in the statement.
Karonga experienced a series of medium earthquakes that started in December 2009, but Paladin's operations survived this round of tremors.
However, the Foundation warns that should the tremors increase in intensity, Paladin might be affected as well.
The report by Bench Mark Foundation comes less than a month after the US geological experts dismissed sentiments that the Karonga earthquakes were connected to the uranium mining at Kayelekera in the district.
(Sunday Times, Malawi, Feb. 7, 2010)
Malawi invites power firms to develop hydro power scheme for Kayelekera uranium mine:
The Malawi government is inviting expressions of interest (EoIs) for the development of the Kayelekera North Rukuru river hydroelectric power project on an independent power producer (IPP) basis.
The Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) says that the successful bidder will be required to undertake feasibility studies for the project, expected to supply power to the nearby Kayelekera uranium mine.
(Engineering News Nov. 27, 2009)
Paladin plans extension of Kayelekera uranium mine:
On Oct. 29, 2009, Paladin Energy Ltd announced that is to conduct an optimisation study at Kayelekera whereby it intends exploiting some additional resource by extending the west wall of the current planned pit. This study will be targeting an increased production rate of 3.8 Mlb U3O8 [1,462 t U] pa (from current 3.3 Mlb U3O8 [1,269 t U] pa) with minimal capital requirement (estimated at US$10-$15M) by utilising existing excess capacity. It is expected this production rate will be achieved by mid calendar 2012.
Malawi government ignorant of uranium tonnage exported by Paladin's Kayelekera mine:
Government is yet to know about the quantity of Uranium exported by Paladin Africa last month.
Paladin is mining uranium at Kayelekera in Karonga. The company exported its first uranium last month, but Energy and Natural Resources Minister Grain Malunga says his ministry is yet to be briefed about the quantity exported.
"We will come back to you once we have the figures," he said.
Uranium has become one of the most sensitive minerals in this era of nuclear energy and power, and government may be taken to task by the International Atomic Energy Agency for not following up of exported quantity.
IAEA calls for strict monitoring and handling of uranium to prevent it from falling into unsafe hands, possibly terrorists.
(Nyasa Times Oct. 23, 2009)
Kayelekera mine starts exporting uranium:
Malawi has started exporting uranium, which is going through Zambia before departure for overseas using the Walvis Bay of Namibia.
Paladin Africa has confirmed the development.
Paladin deputy country manager, Werner Messidat told Bizcommunity that one container was shipped in August and two more have followed recently.
"The product, which was sent there, will be sent together with other products from our sister company from Namibia, which will be shipped, together to Canada," said Messidat.
He said since they are looking to be at full production by end of December from next year, this will be a monthly exercise, as they will be shipping two shipments per month.
"We will be sending three containers at a time but the target will be to send six containers each month," he said.
(Bizcommunity 21 Oct 2009)
Fourth death this year at Paladin's Kayelekera mine:
Uranium producer Paladin Energy Ltd has reported a fatality at its Kayelekera mine in northern Malawi, the fourth this year at the site.
The company said in a statement on Thursday that an employee had died at the mine as a result of a mini-bus rollover on Wednesday (Oct. 7).
Paladin said 19 people including the driver were injured, with 15 admitted to hospital.
Paladin advised on August 25 that a construction contractor had died at the mine, also as a result of a motor vehicle incident.
The company reported on April 5 that two sub-contractors had died in a flash fire at the mine construction site.
(The Sydney Morning Herald Oct. 8, 2009)
Malawi's draft uranium regulations "essentially a self-regulation system": view here
Kayelekera uranium exports to start September 2009:
Uranium exports from the Kayelekera Uranium Mine in Karonga are expected to start next month following months of trial processing and production at the mine since the official opening of the mine by President Bingu wa Mutharika on April 17 this year.
In a company report filed with the Australian Stock Exchange last week, Paladin Energy Limited managing director John Borshoff told investors that Kayelekera Mine was in its final development stages and that trial production started at the mine in June.
"By June, projected production was reached at the mine and desired performance was reached and was on schedule," said Borshoff, adding, "Commercial production at the mine will start early September and first production is planned for shipping out towards the end of the same month."
Borshoff said the company had so far invested US$167 million at the mine in Karonga and that when fully developed; the mine will produce 3.3 million lb of uranium [1269 t U] for the export market.
According to Borshoff, 34,600 lb of tradable yellow-cake uranium [13.3 t U] by-product had been produced from the mine by June.
(The Daily Times 5 August 2009)
> View older issues
Areva restarts uranium recovery from low grade ores by heap leaching at Arlit
From 1971 to 1988, acid heap leaching hat already been used at Arlit, producing 500 - 600 t U per year, totalling 5,900 t U. The uranium recovery rate achieved was rather low at 50% or less, though. From 1988 to 2009, more than 10 million t of low grade ore have been piled up at the site, with an average grade of 0.08% U.
After conducting tests over several years, Areva now restarts heap leaching with an improved process. A first heap leach pad (176,500 m2) has been prepared that is to receive 1.4 million t of ore per year, from which 500 to 750 t U can be recovered annually, at recovery rates above 65%.
(Source: Heap leaching of low grade uranium ores at Somaïr, by Jacques Thiry, Nicolas Durupt, IAEA Technical Meeting on Low grade Uranium Ore, 29 – 31 March 2010 )
Greenpeace accuses Areva of neglecting health of Nigeriens
French nuclear group Areva is not paying enough attention to the health of workers and inhabitants around its two uranium mines in Niger, Greenpeace said on Monday (Mar. 29).
The environmental lobby group called in a report for an independent radiation study to be conducted around the two mine sites at Arlit and Akokan in the country's northwest and for the area to be decontaminated.
"The people of Arlit and Akokan continue to be surrounded by poisoned air, contaminated soil and polluted water," Greenpeace said.
"With each day that passes, Nigeriens are exposed to radiation, illness and poverty -- while Areva makes billions from their natural resources," it said.
(AFP Mar. 29, 2010)
Protests over circumstances of Areva's uranium mining activities in Niger
A Niger lobby group has vowed to commence squatting in front of the Niamey headquarters of the French mining giant, Areva, to protest against the conditions under which it carries out its uranium exploitation in northern Niger.
The group, branding itself "Areva ne fera pas la loi au Niger " (Areva does not make laws in Niger) accuses the French outfit of wilful contamination through persistent exposure to highly [?] radioactive material, which it says has killed an unspecified number of employees and residents living near the company's mining sites.
(Daily Nation, Kenya, Mar. 5, 2010)
Greenpeace survey still finds excessive radiation levels in Niger's uranium mining towns
In November 2009, Greenpeace visited the uranium mines in Niger and the
neighbouring mining towns of Arlit and Akokan. The mines are operated by
subsidiaries of AREVA, a French nuclear company. During the visit Greenpeace
found dangerous levels of radiation in the streets of Akokan. AREVA had earlier
claimed that these risks had been identified and addressed.
> View Greenpeace International release Nov. 26, 2009
> Download Greenpeace International briefing, Nov. 2009 (239k PDF)
Following Greenpeace's report of radioactive hotspots in the uranium mining city Akokan in Niger, AREVA has confirmed that the radioactivity in the streets of Akokan was unacceptably high. Under pressure from civil society the French nuclear company has taken action to clean up the spots indicated by Greenpeace. (Greenpeace International 5 Jan 2010)
On May 6, 2010, Greenpeace released a detailed report and a video on the Nov. 2009 visit to Niger.
> Download Greenpeace report Left in the dust - AREVA's radioactive legacy in the desert towns of Niger, April 2010, 64 p. (Greenpeace International)
> View Greenpeace video Left in the Dust - uranium mining in Niger (Youtube)
> Download CRIIRAD reports on radiological situation in the vicinity of the uranium mines operated by SOMAÏR and COMINAK in northern Niger
Environmental impacts of coal mining for electricity supply to uranium mines (Niger)
On July 30, 2009, the independent radiation laboratory CRIIRAD found heavy metals and sulfate in water pumped from the bottom of the SONICHAR coal mine and released into the environment. The coal produced in the open pit mine is burnt in the Tchirozérine power plant (2 x 18.8 MW); 85% of the electricity generated is sold to the uranium mines of SOMAÏR and COMINAK.
In view of the new uranium mines to come into operation in the area (in particular Imouraren), coal consumption of the power plant is to increase by a factor of 2.5 from the current 160,000 t per year to 400,000 t in 2011.
> View CRIIRAD release July 30, 2009 (in French)
French court to decide on discrimination of Niger Tuareg by Areva
The Paris magistrates' court is to decide on alleged discrimination of the Niger Tuareg by Areva. An Areva director is accused to have called the French government to help Niger to put down the Tuareg rebellion. The case was brought before the court by Niger civil society group Alhak-en-Akal and German NGO Menschenrechte 3000 e.V. The court decision is expected on September 15, 2009.
(Le Monde June 23, 2009)
Areva and NGOs conclude agreement on health monitoring around uranium mine sites
On June 19, 2009, Areva and the NGOs Sherpa and Médecins Du Monde concluded an agreement to establish health monitoring stations around Areva's uranium mining sites and a "pluralistic group" for health monitoring.
> View Areva release June 19, 2009 (in French)
> View Sherpa release June 19, 2009 (in French)
> View CRIIRAD's comments, June 18, 2009 (in French)
In 2009, the NGO Sherpa has received Euro 80,000 from Areva to support the field work layed down in this agreement.
(L'Express Jan. 5, 2010)
NGOs urge Areva to respect the environment and the health of the residents at its uranium mines in Niger
On March 26, 2009, NGOs of Niger urged Areva to make provisions for the protection of the environment and the health of the residents in the north of Niger, where the company has been exploiting uranium mines for 40 years.
Such provisions still have not been taken, according to a statement of the Network of Organizations for Transparency and Budget Analysis (ROTAB) .
(AFP March 26, 2009)
> See also CRIIRAD release (in French)
Niger's Tuareg rebels demand share of uranium revenue
Niger's Tuareg-led rebel movement chief said his Niger Justice Movement (MNJ), whose desert fighters have waged a rebellion against Niamey government troops, wants up to 30 percent of uranium revenue to be allocated to the northern region populated mainly by Tuaregs.
Aghaly Ag Alambo blamed successive governments in Niamey for failing to come good on demands agreed by both sides in the 1990s.
(Reuters July 20, 2008)
Niger Tuareg rebels seize 4 French uranium workers
On June 22, 2008, Tuareg-led rebels seized four French employees of the French nuclear group Areva in the north of the West African country, the rebels and the government said.
The rebel Niger Justice Movement (MNJ), whose desert fighters launched a rebellion last year in Niger's uranium-producing northern region, said the French were seized in a commando raid on Areva's COMINAK mine located at Arlit.
MNJ said it had carried out the kidnapping to demonstrate to foreign mining companies that the Niger government could not guarantee the security of their operations in the country, which is one of the world's leading producers of uranium.
(Reuters June 22, 2008)
Niger rebels freed the French uranium company hostages on June 25, 2008. (Reuters June 25, 2008)
Gunmen attack uranium lorry in Niger
Gunmen have killed one civilian and wounded another in an attack on a lorry used for transporting uranium from north Niger to a port in Benin, authorities in the Agadez region said on March 14, 2008.
(AFP March 14, 2008)
On January 23, 2008, the non-profit organizations the Berne Declaration and Pro Natura held an award ceremony in Davos, Switzerland, to expose the world's most irresponsible companies. Areva received the 2008 Public Eye Global Award. In addition, Areva received the 2008 Public Eye People's Award through Internet voting.
The organizations had stated the following Reason for Nomination: "Uranium mining in Niger: mineworkers are not sufficiently informed about health risks, open-air storage of radioactive materials. Workers with cancer are deliberately given a false diagnosis at the company hospital."
> View Public Eye
> See also additional information from CRIIRAD (in French)
Hundreds march in Niger against Areva
Hundreds of people in Niger marched on Sep. 8, 2007, to demand the departure of French nuclear giant Areva, which they accuse of backing a rebellion in the uranium-rich north of the former French colony.
(Reuters Sep. 8, 2007)
Niger civil society claims US$ 640 million from AREVA in damages
Niger's citizen movement "Mouvement citoyen pour la paix, la démocratie et la République" which embraces several civil society organisations, is demanding FCFA300 billion (US$ 640 million) from French mining giant AREVA as damages for the 40-year exploitation of the Niger uranium in "unfair and iniquitous conditions," the chairman of the movement told PANA.
The movement's chairman, Nouhou Arzika said the government would do everything to have AREVA pay what it owes Niger populations.
"For 40 years, the company has exploited more than 100,000 tonnes of Niger's uranium at the detriment of the populations because the conditions of sale were far from addressing the interests of the country," he argued.
(Panapress Aug. 29, 2007)
Head of Areva Niger expelled
Areva confirmed that its head of operations in Niger has been expelled by the country's authorities. "Areva confirms and deplores the decision of the Niger state to expel Dominique Pin, head of Areva Niger," the French nuclear power group said in a statement.
Last week, Pin denied that Areva had given any support to the Touareg rebel group Movement of Niger People for Justice (MNJ), which has been carrying out violent attacks against military targets in the north of Niger for months.
(AFX July 26, 2007)
Niger rebels attack power plant in uranium mining area
Rebels in Niger's remote north attacked the compound of an electricity company that powers the area's towns and uranium mines, but government troops fought them off, rebel and military sources said on July 5, 2007.
Northern rebels have made a series of attacks on government and mining interests in the impoverished West African state, killing 15 government soldiers and abducting over 70 more a fortnight ago in their worst raid yet.
Some 30 wounded soldiers were later released.
In the latest attack, late on July 3, 2007, the rebel Niger Movement for Justice (MNJ) said its fighters attacked a compound of state-controlled coal mining and power company SONICHAR, which powers Niger's two uranium firms, both part French-owned.
(Reuters July 5, 2007)
NGOs demand immediate removal of radioactive material found in the streets of Akokan
On May 15, 2007, the NGOs CRIIRAD and AGHIR IN'MAN demanded the immediate removal of radioactive material found in the streets of Akokan. The material, most likely waste rock from COMINAK's nearby Akouta uranium mine reused for road construction, had been identified between March and May 2007. In the street in front of COMINAK's hospital, radiation levels of up to 100 times background were found on contact with the soil.
> Download CRIIRAD release 15 May 2007 (PDF - in French)
> Download CRIIRAD technical note 07-53, 14 May 2007 (PDF - in French)
Niger government probes reports on health hazards from uranium mines
Niger's government is investigating reports that people living near a uranium mine may have been exposed to dangerous levels of radioactivity.
Local environmental groups say people near Arlit are suffering from diseases as a result of poor safety measures.
French independent nuclear watchdog CRIIRAD said not enough had been done to seal off radioactive scrap metal.
A commission from the government of Niger is meeting some of the local environmental groups to discuss their concerns.
(BBC News May 30, 2006)
Areva/Cogéma receives rather poor rating for environmental issues at Niger uranium mines
A corporate social responsibility rating of Areva/Cogéma's Niger mining subsidiaries Somaïr and Cominak produced a rather poor Level 2 in the environmental area.
The rating on a 4-level scale (with 4 being the best rating) was performed by rating agency Vigeo .
Level 2 stands for "Prudent: The company is dealing with the risks at a minimal level". The issues of waste management and rehabiliation of the mining sites were major contributors to the rating at this level.
Other areas rated were human rights, human resources, customer and supplier relations, and community involvement, with results in the Level 2 to Level 3 range.
(Areva/Cogéma Nov. 21, 2005)
> Download Summary of Evaluation: English · French (PDF - Areva)
Cogéma launches health study at uranium mine sites in Niger
On Nov. 16, 2005, Cogéma launched a health study on the public living in the Arlit region and in communities near AREVA's uranium mines in Niger.
It centers on a clinical audit of the Arlit and Akokan hospitals and on an epidemiological study.
The fact-finding mission has been entrusted to two organizations specializing in epidemiological studies, Gispe and Quanta Medical.
The study should be finalized by the end of December 2005 and its conclusions will be made public.
(Cogéma Nov. 17, 2005)
CRIIRAD releases studies on impacts of uranium mining in Niger
On April 25, 2005, the independent radiation laboratory CRIIRAD released the results of monitoring performed on environmental samples from the uranium mining region in Niger. CRIIRAD found that
- drinking water samples from two wells had global alpha and beta contamination higher than acceptable by WHO standards. The annual dose from consumption of this water is calculated at 0.187 mSv/year,
- Cogéma's release criteria for contaminated metal scrap are not strict enough to prevent radiation doses in excess of 1 mSv/year,
- the site of a Jan. 23, 2004, road transport accident with uranium ore concentrate was not cleaned up appropriately; one month later, the external radiation at the site was still 10 times background,
- the doses received from inhalation of dust and radon released from the mines and the tailings deposits may exceed 1 mSv/year.
> Download: Impact de l'exploitation de l'uranium par les filiales de COGEMA-AREVA au NIGER, Bilan des analyses effectuées par le laboratoire de la CRIIRAD en 2004 et début 2005, 20 Avril 2005: MS Word · RTF · PDF (in French)
A further report released by the organization Sherpa in cooperation with CRIIRAD et al. investigates the health situation of the uranium mine workers in Niger. It is based on interviews with residents, former workers, and medical doctors.
> Download: LA COGEMA AU NIGER, Rapport d'enquête sur la situation des travailleurs de la SOMAÏR et COMINAK, filiales nigériennes du groupe AREVA-COGEMA, 25 avril 2005: MS Word · PDF (in French)
> View CRIIRAD dossier: Niger: mines d'uranium (in French)
IRSN releases study on environmental impacts of Cogéma's uranium mines in Niger
The French Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN) published a study on the environmental impacts of the uranium mines at Arlit and Akouta in Niger. The study, performed at the request of Cogéma, comprised a field trip on May 10 - 15, 2004.
IRSN concludes that the radiation monitoring network set up by Cogéma around the mines and tailings deposits all in all conforms to the standards applicable in France. IRSN recommends some improvements to allow for dose calculations for certain population groups, and to track the dispersion of radioactivity by wind.
Doses were calculated for eight population groups (four at each site). For five groups, they are at 0.5 mSv/year or less, for 2 groups at 0.5 - 1 mSv/year, and for one group they exceed 1 mSv/year (probably caused from radon released from a nearby mine vent). IRSN recommends further measurements to identify the cause of the elevated radon levels.
IRSN confirmed the presence of contaminated scrap metal at the market of Arlit originating from the mines. A first rough dose assessment for the scrap merchants showed doses of the order of 1 mSv/year. IRSN recommends to improve the procedures for release of scrap metal, and to recover contaminated material that has already been released.
In a related release of April 20, 2005, Cogéma announced to launch an epidemiologic study in the area, in cooperation with the ministry of health of Niger.
> View IRSN release April 21, 2005 (in French)
> Download report Sites miniers d’uranium de SOMAIR et COMINAK (Niger), Bilan de la mission sur site en mai 2004, appréciation de l’impact radiologique, et avis sur le réseau de surveillance de l’environnement, Rapport DEI/SARG/05-05, IRSN 2005, 71 p. (4.1MB PDF, in French)
Associations' network planning independent inspection tour to Cogéma's uranium mines in Niger
The French network "Sortir du nucléaire" (phase out nuclear) is planning to perform an independent inspection tour to the uranium mines at Arlit and Akouta, run by Cogéma's subsidiaries SOMAÏR and COMINAK.
In 2003, the independent radiation monitoring laboratory CRIIRAD had conducted a field trip to these sites, but the investigations were obstructed by local authorities (see below). Following a TV discussion on Nov. 14, 2004, Mme Lauvergeon, the president of Cogéma's parent company Areva, invited the network "Sortir du nucléaire" to visit the sites in Niger. Since the network wants to pay for the tour on its own account, it is now collecting funds for this purpose.
> View "Sortir du nucléaire" release, Feb. 14, 2005 (in French)
Independent radiation surveys at Niger uranium mines obstructed
On December 2 - 11, 2003, the independent french radiation monitoring laboratory CRIIRAD conducted a field trip to Niger to investigate the radiological conditions around the country's uranium mines at Arlit and Akouta. The mines are operated by Cogema's subsidiaries SOMAÏR and COMINAK.
Since all radiation monitoring equipment was confiscated upon arrival at the Niamey airport, only few investigations could be performed. The team noted the nearly total absence of any form of waste management, with the waste rock deposits and uranium mill tailings dumps exposed, releasing radioactive dust into the environment. Moreover, the team noted the absence of effective restrictions for the reuse of contaminated metal scrap by nearby residents.
(CRIIRAD 18 Dec. 2003)
In a press release dated Dec. 23, 2003, Cogema did not dispute the dust hazard from the open pit mines and the waste rock deposits, but claimed that any dose received by residents would meet the 1 mSv/a standard. Metal scrap would only be released into the public domain after radiation checks; Cogema were, however, working on a program to prevent theft of metal scrap.
Water crisis in Swakopmund; uranium mines also affected
Two leaks in the Omdel water pipeline led to a serious water shortage in the city of Swakopmund beginning from Jan. 22, 2010. Apparently, the Rössing and Langer Heinrich uranium mines had been notified of the imminent shortage by NamWater, while residents were not informed.
(Allgemeine Zeitung Jan. 25, 2010)
Uranium production came to a standstill at the Rössing and Langer Heinrich uranium mines on Feb. 1 and 2 due to water shortage. Water supply gradually returned on Feb. 3. Areva's Trekkopje mine (under construction) will have to wait until Feb. 5.
(Republikein Feb. 4, 2010)
Police seizes 170 kg of stolen uranium
The Erongo Police on Friday (Sep. 4) arrested three suspects for being in possession of, and allegedly wanting to deal in, 170 kg (375 pounds) of uranium oxide (U3O8).
(Namibian Sep 8, 2009)
> See also U.S. concerned about trafficking of uranium mined at Rössing
Erongo Region faces serious water shortage; Rössing and Langer Heinrich uranium mines temporarily without water
A severe water shortage is staring the Erongo Region in the face.
This fact was demonstrated when two of Namibia's largest mines, Rössing Uranium and Langer Heinrich, were without water for two days a few weeks ago and Swakopmund's reservoir at one stage held only 500 cubic metres of water (the town needs about 11,000 cubic metres a day).
Swakopmund Council CEO, Eckart Demasius, stated that the region was experiencing a water shortage.
Demasius said the problem was exacerbated by the current condition of the Omdel water-supply system, which is an integral water source for Swakopmund, Arandis, Rössing Uranium and Langer Heinrich, along with the Kuiseb River's Swartbank system, which mostly feeds Walvis Bay.
He said pipe-bursts in the Omdel-system caused the Rössing and Langer Heinrich mines to be without water for two days.
Langer Heinrich Managing Director, Wyatt Buck, confirmed that mining was stopped for two days recently, causing revenue losses of nearly N$8 million (US$1 million).
"Rössing's operations were not impacted as this was at a time when the mine had a planned two-week maintenance shutdown, with no production," Jerome Mutumba, External Affairs Manager at Rössing Uranium, said.
(Namibian July 23, 2009)
> see extra page
> View deposit info
Langer Heinrich uranium mine seeks expansion of water supply
The expansion project for the Langer Heinrich uranium mine requires the supply of additional amounts of water; the proposal is to pump more water from the Swakop River valley. An environmental assessment for the proposal is being prepared by Enviro Dynamics CC .
Public comments on the project are invited by August 18, 2010.
(Allgemeine Zeitung July 23, 2010)
Paladin plans further massive expansion of Langer Heinrich uranium mine, including heap leaching
On Oct. 29, 2009, Paladin Energy Ltd announced plans to increase production capacity of its Langer Heinrich uranium mine to around 10 million lb U3O8 [3,846 t U] per year (Stage 4 Expansion).
"It is believed that with current resources this balance can best be achieved by an annual plant production level of around the 9 Mlb U3O8, and a remaining mine life of 15 years. Investigations to date also suggest that this can be supplemented by a 1 Mlb pa U3O8 heap leaching facility.
The run of mine operation is planned to crush approximately 8 Mtpa at an average grade of 600 ppm. This crushed ore will then be upgraded through an expanded scrubbing circuit to give a leach feed grade of around 920 ppm. The heap leach feed material is expected to comprise 42 Mt of low grade (175 ppm) material.
Off-site infrastructure requirements include the installation of a second water supply pipeline and an upgrade to the existing electrical power supply line."
Paladin approves further expansion of Langer Heinrich uranium mine
On June 30, 2009, Paladin Energy Ltd announced board approval of the Stage III Expansion of its Langer Heinrich uranium mine. The expansion project will increase production capacity to 5.2 million lb U3O8 [2000 t U] per year, rather than 6 million lb U3O8, as previously announced. The reduced target was chosen, as it is not vulnerable to delays in achieving additional water supply.
Paladin reports large resource upgrade for Langer Heinrich deposit
On Aug. 28, 2008, Paladin Energy Ltd announced a 46% increase in the Measured and Indicated Resources and a 64% increase in the Inferred Resources of the Langer Heinrich uranium deposit.
Langer Heinrich uranium mine expansion project
Langer Heinrich Uranium (LHU) proposes to commence, in 2008, with the first stage of a two-stage expansion, which aims to ramp up production from its current 2.6 Mlb/a U3O8 [1,000 t U/a] to approximately 3.7 Mlb/a U3O8 [1,423 t U/a] by early 2009.
The second stage of the expansion is targeted for 2010 and sees production at
approximately 6.0 Mlb/a U3O8 [2,308 t U/a]. This latter stage has yet to be designed.
A document outlining the proposed changes in activities, impacts and proposed mitigation was prepared and submitted to MME and MET. Because the stage II expansion project is still within the scope of the original environmental approval LHU understood that an EIA would not be necessary but that the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) should be updated to reflect the changes. After reviewing the document, both Ministries confirmed that updating the EMP and communicating these changes to LHU's interested and affected parties is sufficient.
(LHU May 28, 2008)
Intervention after sulphuric acid spill at Langer Heinrich mine leads to explosions
The spilling of a large quantity of sulphuric acid at the Langer Heinrich uranium mine has raised questions about safety procedures at the mine.
The Namibian was informed that one of the mine's employees had lost his grip on the hose transferring the acid from a truck to a storage facility.
The employee apparently fled to call for help, after which a forklift dumped a large quantity of caustic soda on the spill to neutralise the acid.
The result was explosive, according to the sources.
A series of loud bangs could be heard from a distance, but nobody was injured.
(Namibian Apr. 25, 2008)
Langer Heinrich mine flooded after rainstorm
On March 27, 2008, the open pit of the Langer Heinrich mine was flooded with run-off water from a rainstorm. The pit will not be usable for about one month. During this time, Paladin intends to mine its second pit.
(Allgemeine Zeitung Mar. 31, 2008)
Langer Heinrich mine reaches designed production level
On Jan. 14, 2008, Paladin Energy Ltd announced the the Langer Heinrich operations achieved the stated production target for the December quarter of 2007. Paladin now expects Langer Heinrich to produce at its nameplate design of 2.6 Mlb of uranium oxide U3O8 [1000 t U] for the calendar year 2008.
> View old issues
South African gold/uranium mines causing excessive uranium concentrations in streams and stream sediments
> See here
Regulator withholds report on serious contamination of water and food from mining activities in Gauteng
> See here
The Council for Nuclear Safety (CNS) estimates that
at least 10,000 mineworkers, or roughly one in 20 mineworkers, have
been exposed to radiation levels that exceeded safety limits.
In 1998, according to CNS estimates, 1 000 employees at Harmony Gold
mine were exposed to radiation levels that in some instances were three
times higher than the annual dose limit of 20 mSv a year. At Nigel,
workers were exposed to dose levels of up to 130 mSv a year, or seven
times higher than the allowable limit. (Business Report Oct. 7, 1999)
> View deposit info
Worker dies in fall-of-ground accident at Ezulwini mine
First Uranium on Friday (Sep. 18) reported a fatality at its Ezulwini mine, in South Africa.
First Uranium spokesperson Bob Tait said that there was an unexpected fall of ground in the area where underground crews were installing permanent supports in a stope on the 45 level of the Middle Elsburg Reef horizon, which is the uranium and gold ore body at the Ezulwini mine.
(Mining Weekly Sep. 18, 2009)
First Uranium Corp. said on Friday it suspended operations at its Ezulwini mine in South Africa after a worker was killed in an incident.
"Our plants continue to operate on inventory in the silos," First Uranium spokesman Bob Tait said, adding the company's focus would be to investigate the cause of the incident, which happened on Thursday.
(Reuters Sep. 18, 2009)
Mining resumed on Sep. 21, 2009. (Business Report Sep. 22, 2009)
> View older issues
> View deposit info
Dominion mine to be restarted by new owner
A new start-up for the stranded Dominion uranium operation which was placed on care-and-maintenance by Uranium One in 2008 is expected before month-end.
The expected restart is set to be effected by the new owner, the Zuma-linked Shiva Uranium.
(Mining Weekly May 14, 2010)
Dominion mine sold
On May 10, 2010, Uranium One announced the completion in April 2010 of the sale of the Dominion Uranium Project.
Dominion mine shut down for poor economics
On Oct. 22, 2008, Uranium One Inc. announced its decision to place the Dominion Uranium Project on care and maintenance.
The decision "reflects the significant deterioration in the Project's economics associated with the continuing decline in uranium prices over the last year and significant inflation-related increases in Project costs, together with a slower than expected ramp-up in development and production."
Uranium One suspends Dominion mine operations upon strike
On Oct. 10, 2008, Uranium One Inc. announced that it has temporarily suspended mine operations at the Dominion Uranium Project in South Africa. According to the company, this action follows labour disruptions this week at the project, which
culminated in a general illegal strike.
Workers go on strike against poor working conditions at Klerksdorp uranium mine
On July 11, 2008, workers at Uranium One's mine near Klerksdorp in the North West are to march against poor working conditions, police said.
Superintendent Lesego Metsi said the march had not started yet and police were on the scene to ensure everything went off peacefully.
"Workers are going to stop operations and march against poor working conditions, treatment of workers at the mines and salary increases."
"It is not a strike action as far as we know. It is just a protest by workers to take their demands to management," he said.
(Pretoria News July 11, 2008)
Production forecast cut for Dominion Reefs mine
Uranium One slashed its 2008 production forecast for the Dominion mine due to slow underground development.
The mine produced only 171,000 pounds U3O8 [65.8 t U] in 2007 and is scheduled to produce 590,000 pounds [227 t U] in 2008. It was previously estimated to produce 2 million pounds [769 t U] in 2008. The company had been planning to produce an average of 3.8 million pounds [1,462 t U] per year by 2011 from the mine, but further delays will push this timeline back.
(Resource Investor Feb. 21, 2008)
Stormwater dam fails at Dominion Reefs uranium mine
About 100 million litres of water was spilled from Uranium One's Dominion Reefs uranium mine near Klerksdorp on Dec. 8, 2007, when a section of the dam wall broke after a heavy rainstorm.
But Robert van Niekerk, Uranium One vice-president for Africa and Europe, dismissed concerns that the water might be radioactive.
"Preliminary tests on the water in the veld and the Jagspruit have showed that it does not hold any danger for flora and fauna. The quality of the water is consistent with that of the Jagspruit, at any time of the year," said Van Niekerk.
The water in the dam that caved in, was apparently only stormwater.
The walls of the nearby silt (tailings) dam did not break. Van Niekerk said about 58 mm of rain fell in half an hour in the afternoon of Dec. 8, 2007.
There were also heavy rains earlier in the week.
The dam level rose rapidly. When the dam overflowed, a section of the wall caved in.
(Beeld Dec. 10, 2007)
> View older issues
AngloGold plans new uranium plant at Kopanang mine
AngloGold Ashanti was planning a new R1-billion-plus uranium expansion at the Kopanang mine to take production to more than two-million pounds U3O8 [769 t U] a year, AngloGold Ashanti CEO Mark Cutifani said.
Uranium production was up another 5% to 369,000 lb U3O8 [142 t U] in the quarter, in line with AngloGold Ashanti's 1.4-million pounds U3O8 [538 t U] full-year target from the present 1.2-million pounds U3O8 [462 t U].
(Mining Weekly May 15, 2009)
AngloGold Ashanti cancels uranium delivery contracts
On July 14, 2008, AngloGold Ashanti announced that it has "cancelled 1.0 million pounds of its outstanding uranium contracts, which together with the deliveries effected since the start of the year, represents a reduction of 30% of uranium contracts that were outstanding as at 1 January 2008. This cancellation, which will result in a one-off pre-tax charge of US$32 million against second quarter's adjusted headline earnings, will result in the company beginning to participate in the uranium spot market from 2009."
AngloGold offers to process waste containing uranium for rivals
AngloGold Ashanti was "happy" to process mine waste containing uranium for rivals as record prices spur them to extract the nuclear fuel, the gold producer has said.
"We'd be happy to use our plant to toll-treat their material on a commercial basis," chief executive Bobby Godsell said.
AngloGold, which produces uranium as a by-product of gold mining, owns one of South Africa's only operational plants that can process the metal. Smaller rivals Gold Fields, Harmony Gold Mining and First Uranium are investigating ways to extract uranium left behind in waste dumps across the Witwatersrand and Free State gold fields.
(Business Report May 4, 2007)
AngloGold plans uranium output increase
AngloGold Ashanti may raise annual uranium production to between 1,000 and 1,100 metric tons from about 700 tons currently, Steve Lenahan, a spokesman for the Johannesburg-based company, said in an interview.
The company currently produces uranium as a byproduct of gold mining at its Great Noligwa mine in South Africa and expects to boost output when its Moab Khotsong mine opens.
The company is also studying whether to upgrade a processing plant so that it can process ore from the Kopanang dump, Lenahan said.
(Business Report April 4, 2006)
AngloGold Ashanti is planning to increase the amount of uranium produced as a byproduct from its gold mining operations in the Vaal River area.
AngloGold plans to increase its current production of 900 to 1,000 tonnes of uranium a year by developing its new Moab Khotsong gold mine, where it expects to move into areas of higher-grade uranium.
(MineWeb Jan. 20, 2005)
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Russian companies expect drop in world uranium production after 2025, as a result of depletion of deposits
Russian uranium companies predict a drop in world uranium extraction after 2025 as a result of increasing nuclear reactor construction.
"Uranium demands will be fulfilled in 2010-2020. A lag in production is expected after 2020, and after 2025 a decline in production is expected as a result of the decommissioning of mines when stocks are depleted," deputy head of Russian uranium company Atomredmetzoloto Aleksander Boytsov told the international Atomexpo-2010 forum on Wednesday (June 9).
Vladislav Korogodin from Russian atomic energy firm Rosatom said at the same forum that the number of global nuclear reactors will increase from 438 to 660 by 2030, possibly causing a fuel deficit.
Boytsov said the leading international uranium companies Cameco and Areva expect a drop in production after 2024 as a result of the depletion of the major MacArthur River, Cigar Lake and Akuta mines.
(RIA Novosti June 9, 2010)
Activists open "uranium mine" in front of Brussels head office of pro-nuclear Belgian party
On July 6, 2007, activists from Friends of the Earth constructed a "uranium mine" in front of the head offices of the Christian Democratic party (CD&V) on the Wetstraat in Brussels. The action coincided with the release of a report on the environmental and human rights impacts of the uranium mining that supplies the nuclear fuels for the Belgian nuclear power plants of Doel and Tihange.
> View details
2006 World uranium production decreased by 5%
In 2006, the world uranium production of 39,655 t U was 5% lower than in 2005 (41,702 t U).
> View WNA Uranium production figures
> See also Uranium Maps
