New Uranium Mining Projects - Africa
(last updated 4 Jun 2013)
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CNNC, China-Africa Development Fund to develop uranium resources in Africa
China National Nuclear Corp, the nation's largest nuclear power plant builder, yesterday said that its subsidiary China Uranium Corp has signed an agreement with China-Africa Development Fund 
to jointly develop uranium resources in Africa, sources reported.
In a statement posted on its website, CNNC said that both parties will set up a joint venture in Beijing to invest in and develop uranium resources in Africa.
(China Knowledge Sep. 2, 2010)
Russia and China consider joint exploitation of uranium deposits in Africa
The Chinese are interested in a cooperation with Russia on uranium production in third countries. "It is possible, we have mentioned African countries, in particular", Rosatom head Sergei Kiriyenko announced.
(RIA Novosti Aug. 30, 2010)
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Uranium mining not any time soon in Algeria
The National Agency for the Mining Assets (ANPM) said Wednesday (June 20) in Algiers it was not considering the launch of tenders for uranium exploration in Algeria, adding that "this strategic metal" required "a specific framework" for its operations.
(La Tribune June 20, 2012)
Jordan, Algeria sign nuclear energy cooperation deal, including uranium mining
On Jan. 26, 2010, Jordan and Algeria signed a cooperation agreement in the fields of energy, nuclear energy, oil and gas. Minutes were signed by both parties specialized in nuclear energy and the exchange of expertise and technology in the field of prospecting and mining of uranium ores.
(KUNA Jan. 27, 2010)
Algeria launches uranium prospecting licences process in Tamanrasset area
On Aug. 9, 2009, Algeria's National Agency for Mining Patrimony launched a prequalification process to explore and prospect for uranium in the Saharan Tamanrasset area. (Dow Jones Aug. 9, 2009)
France and Algeria sign nuclear power accord, including uranium exploration and production
On June 21, 2008, France and former colony Algeria signed defence and civil nuclear power accords.
An accord on the peaceful use of nuclear energy provides for cooperation in research, training, technology transfer and the exploration and production of uranium, sectors of interest to French nuclear plant builder Areva.
(Reuters June 21, 2008)
Ministry of Energy and Mining holds symposium on uranium resources in Algeria
On Oct. 1, 2005, the Algerian Ministry of Energy and Mining holds a symposium on the uranium resources in the country and their valorization.
> View symposium announcement: Resources and the Valorization of Uranium in Algeria
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Romania to invest in uranium exploration in Angola
Three agreements of economical cooperation will be signed by Romania and Angola in January 2010. Romania then plans to make considerable investments in the exploration and mining of iron, copper, uranium, diamonds and, as well as in the energy and oil sectors.
(Angola Press Dec. 2, 2009)
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Letlhakane
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In Botswana, uranium prospection and exploration is being performed by
Uramin Inc.,
Bannerman Resources Limited,
Mount Burgess Mining NL ,
African Energy Resources (Guernsey) Ltd ,
A-Cap Resources Ltd ,
Aquentium, Inc. ,
Mootah Energetic Pty. Ltd.,
Impact Minerals Ltd ,
Cardia Technologies Ltd ,
Cam Bow Holdings (Pty) Ltd ,
Tsodilo Resources Ltd ,
Gcwihaba Resources (Pty) Ltd. ,
Sechaba Natural Resources Pty Ltd
Over one hundred uranium prospecting licences issued in Botswana
Some 138 prospecting licences have been issued for the exploration of uranium and, according to minerals minister, Ponatshego Kedikilwe, such activity is taking place "across the length and breadth of Botswana".
The areas covered by the licenses are in the districts of southern, north east, south east, Ngamiland, Kweneng, Kgalagadi, Gantsi and central.
This information came in response to a question posed by Mahalapye East MP, Botlogile Tshireletso.
(Sunday Standard Mar. 15, 2009)
16 uranium exploration licenses granted on Bushman land since evictions
Since the Bushmen were forced off their land in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) in 2002, the Botswana government has granted 112 mining licenses for mining companies to explore in the reserve. 16 licenses have been awarded for uranium exploration and 40 for coal.
It is just over six years since the government evicted more than 600 Bushmen from the reserve, although it has always denied any connection between mining and the evictions.
The Bushmen won the right to return to their land inside the reserve in a landmark ruling at Botswana's High Court in 2006, where the judges recognized that the evictions had been 'unlawful' and 'unconstitutional'. But the Botswana government is doing all it can to stop the Bushmen from going home, banning them from using a water borehole to get water inside the reserve, and stopping them from hunting for food. Meanwhile, any mines in the reserve will have to drill multiple boreholes to operate, and will create massive disruption to both the Bushmen and the wildlife.
(Survival International March 3, 2009)
> View deposit info
On Feb. 22, 2013, A-Cap Resources Ltd announced "favourable economics" from the scoping study on the Letlhakane uranium project. However, the expected operating cost (US$ 48.41 per lb U3O8 for the first ten years, and US$ 58.17 over the whole 20-year lifetime) alone will be higher than current market prices. The company expects the uranium price to rise significantly in view of an anticipated supply shortage.
> Calculate Mine Feasibility
An Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) was completed and submitted to the Botswana Government for review and the final ESIA will be submitted in Q2 2011.
(A-Cap)
On July 20, 2009, A-Cap Resources Ltd announced the commencement of a bankable feasibility study for the Letlhakane uranium project.
EIA Progress:
"The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the Letlhakane Uranium Project commenced in late January 2009. The EIA studies are designed to run for twelve months to collect important environmental data from the three climatic seasons in Botswana. To date the specialist studies for AquaticWildlife and Radiation Background have commenced data collection.
Public participation and information meetings have been held at the local villages of Gojwane and Serule. A further meeting for local government officials has been held at the Tonota District Land Board. These compulsory meetings are a crucial stepping stone in the EIA process where local communities have the right to learn about the planned development. No objections from the local communities were registered during the process."
(A-Cap Resources Ltd March 16, 2009)
On Oct. 17, 2008, A-Cap Resources Ltd released the result of a scoping study conducted by SRK Consulting. The preferred project option comprises the mining of 45 million tonnes of ore (at a grade of 180 ppm U3O8 [0.0153% U]) containing 18 million lbs U3O8 [6,923 t U]. The target annual production rate at an assumed leaching recovery of 80% is 2.2 million lbs U3O8 [846 t U].
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The following companies are performing uranium prospection and/or exploration in Burkina Faso:
Pancontinental Uranium Corporation ,
Crossland Uranium Mines Ltd ,
Crosscontinental Uranium Limited ,
Southern Cross Exploration NL ,
Longreach Oil Ltd
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The following companies are performing uranium prospection and/or exploration in Burundi:
International Gold Exploration IGE AB
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The following companies are performing uranium prospection and/or exploration in Cameroon:
Mega Uranium Cameroon plc,
Uranex SA ,
Resource Generation Ltd ,
African Aura Resources Ltd. ,
Ridgeway Energy Ltd
NGOs publish booklet about uranium in Cameroon
Cameroon's Network for the War on Hunger (Réseau de Lutte contre la Faim - RELUFA) co-produced with other NGOs a "booklet with practical information about Uranium and its exploitation in Cameroon".
> Download L'uranium au Cameroun, Quelques informations pratiques , Juin 2011 (2.3M PDF - in French)
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Bakouma
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The following companies are performing uranium prospection and/or exploration in Central African Republic:
Uramin Inc.,
Uranio AG ,
Xenon S.A. ,
Les Mines De Centrafrique (CAR)
> View deposit info
Gunmen attack Areva's Bakouma uranium mine project site, seize hostages:
Gunmen have attacked a uranium plant operated by French nuclear power giant Areva at Bakouma in the southeast of the Central African Republic, army and French diplomatic sources said Monday.
"A violent clash yesterday (Sunday) afternoon pitted" Central African troops against "an unidentified group of armed men attempting to launch an assault on the site of mining company Areva," a military statement said.
"The enemy did some material damage and pulled back while taking a sizeable quantity mainly of food with them," Lieutenant-Colonel Jean Ladawa said in the statement, which was read on national radio.
"For the moment, it's difficult to establish a casualty toll from the fighting. However, we sustained no losses either among personnel or the population at Bakouma," he said.
(AFP June 25, 2012)
Areva temporarily suspends Bakouma uranium mine project - in wake of Fukushima disaster:
The French Areva group officially suspended the uranium mining project in Central Africa for one to two years due to the repercussions of the Fukushima disaster. The project is not cancelled; Areva waits for the uranium market price to rise again, the current price being US$ 52 per lb U3O8, while it had been above US$ 68 per lb U3O8 before the Fukushima disaster. A peculiarity of the Bakouma deposit is the great difficulty to extract the uranium.
(Marchés tropicaux et méditerranéens Oct. 31, 2011; AFP Nov. 2, 2011)
Uranium activists arrested for one week: On Sep. 16, 2011, six environmental activists were arrested on their way from the Central African capital Bangui to Bakouma, where they wanted to hold a workshop on the environmental hazards of uranium mining. The activists, among them one from Belgium, were held in Bangui under military surveillance, without being informed about the reason for their detention. On Sep. 22, the six were released through mediation of the honorary consul nominee of Belgium in CAR.
(De Morgen Sep. 23, 2011)
Start-up of the Bakouma pilot project is planned for 2010. At full capacity, the mine will have an output of 2,000 tons per year.
(Areva: Discover Mining Activities, Dec. 2010)
Areva signs uranium mining deal with Central African Republic:
On Aug. 1, 2008, French nuclear group Areva signed a deal with the Central African Republic government to mine uranium at a previously disputed site, officials said.
The mine at Bakouma in the east of the Central African Republic (CAR) is due to start delivering uranium in 2010, with optimal production expected over the first three years, Areva chief executive Anne Lauvergeon added.
The deal ends friction between Areva and CAR, which handed mining rights to British-Canadian firm UraMin in 2006.
Areva bought out UraMin in July 2007, to the displeasure of the CAR government which said the "irregular" sale showed "disregard for the rights and interests" of the Central African people.
(AFP Aug. 1, 2008)
The Bakouma project in the Central African Republic is due to launch production in the fourth quarter of 2009, with an average production at 2600 tons a year. (Business Day March 30, 2007)
On Jan. 11, 2007, UraMin Inc. announced that GRD Minproc (Pty) Ltd., a subsidiary of GRD Ltd, has been appointed to undertake Consulting and Engineering Services for the completion of the Definitive Feasibility Study at its Bakouma Uranium Project in the Central African Republic.
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The following companies are performing uranium prospection and/or exploration in Chad:
Uramin Inc.,
Brinkley Mining PLC ,
Signet Mining Services Ltd ,
Blue Marine Global Ltd ,
Chad Mining Services
NGO workshop on uranium mining in central Africa issues declaration
On Sep. 14 - 18, 2009, NGOs from Chad, Central African Republic, Cameroon, and Niger held a workshop on uranium mining at Bakara, Chad.
> Download Declaration of Bakara, Sep. 18, 2009 (in French)
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Shinkolobwe
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The following companies are performing uranium prospection and/or exploration in the Democratic Republic of the Congo:
Atlantis Sprl (Belgium),
Elemental Minerals Ltd ,
African Investment Group Congo
Church group releases report on former and proposed uranium mining in DR Congo
On June 27, 2011, the Ecumenical Network Central Africa released a report on historic and possible future uranium mining (in particular by Areva) in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The report concludes with a list of recommendations adressing the German government and other donor states, the European Union, Areva, and the government of the DR Congo.
> Download Uranium Mining in the DR Congo: A Radiant Business for European Nuclear Companies? , Ecumenical Network Central Africa (Ed.), Berlin, June 2011, 28 p. (933k PDF)
Areva signs deal for uranium prospecting and mining in DR Congo
On March 30, 2009, the Katanga section of the NGO African Association for the defence of Human Rights (Association Africaine de Défense des Droits de l'Homme - ASADHO/Katanga ) demanded the public release of the contract on uranium exploration and exploitation concluded between the DR Congo and Areva on March 26, 2009, given the problems experienced with Areva's existing uranium mines in Niger.
Areva CEO Anne Lauvergeon has signed an agreement with Congolese Minister of Mines, Martin Kabwelulu, on uranium prospecting and mining.
The agreement includes the creation of a mixed commission tasked with developing a technical prospecting program. The work to be jointly performed by the parties will kick off with a detailed inventory of mining sites and update of all databases.
(AFP March 26, 2009)
Areva is considering a deal giving it rights to explore for uranium in DR Congo's southern Katanga province. Chief Executive Officer Anne Lauvergeon will be accompanying French President Nicolas Sarkozy when he visits the central African country this week.
(Bloomberg March 25, 2009)
Brinkley Mining PLC ceases operations in DR Congo
On Sep. 3, 2008, Brinkley Mining announced it has decided to terminate its operations in Chad and the Democratic Republic of Congo with immediate effect.
Brinkley Mining PLC signs contract for uranium exploitation venture in DR Congo
On July 9, 2007, Brinkley Mining PLC signed a contract for uranium exploitation in Congo in a partnership with the government.
The country's uranium mines (which produced material for the nuclear bombs the U.S. dropped on Japan in World War II) have been closed officially since 2000, though illegal mining has continued.
Brinkley signed a memorandum of understanding with Congo's government in November 2006, but negotiations were derailed in March when the government official who set up the deal was imprisoned on charges of illegally selling uranium [!].
Francois Lubala Toto, the commissioner in charge of the partnership, said Congo's General Commission for Atomic Energy would have a 25 percent stake in the venture, with Brinkley holding a 75 percent stake.
Brinkley Mining Chairman Gerard Holden told reporters the company hoped to start mining uranium within two years. He said the company's initial investment would be US$3 million, with US$10 million more in the first year of exploration.
(AP July 9, 2007)
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Areva unlikely to develop Shinkolobwe mine as instability persists in DR Congo:
Areva SA is unlikely to develop a uranium mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo while the country remains politically unstable, according to a company adviser.
"The political situation is such that it is still a bit tricky to make firm plans," Bertrand Barre, scientific adviser to Areva Chairwoman Anne Lauvergeon, said today in an interview in Johannesburg.
On a March 2009 trip to Congo, French President Nicolas Sarkozy sealed a joint-venture agreement to explore the mine, which produced the uranium used in atomic bombs dropped on Japan at the end of World War II. The deposit, called Shinkolobwe, was shut in the 1960s and its revival is now dependent on curbing the rebel attacks that remain commonplace after years of unrest.
(Bloomberg Feb. 8, 2011)
Areva in talks with DR Congo over possible uranium exploration at Shinkolobwe:
Democratic Republic of Congo and France's Areva are in talks over possible uranium exploration at a now-closed site that once produced material for the Hiroshima bomb.
Congo's largest uranium mine, Shinkolobwe, provided the uranium that went into the atomic bomb deployed by the United States on Japan in 1945 during the Second World War.
The site in the south of the vast and minerals-rich central African country was officially closed in 2004, but the United Nations has since cautioned that radioactive material from Congo is frequently smuggled out.
The site is in poor condition, likely suffering from leaks that would be costly to contain, and a lack of fencing is has opened it up to smuggling -- raising fears among Western diplomats that some of the uranium is reaching Iran.
(The Guardian Sep. 23, 2010)
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire / Belgian Congo) is suspected of trying to reopen the Shinkolobwe uranium mine with help from the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (North Korea). The two countries are closely cooperating in the military field and this cooperation could have been expanded to nuclear issues. During World War II, the mine had provided the uranium for the first US nuclear bombs. (Die Tageszeitung Aug 3, 1999)
On Feb. 7, 2000, North Korea denied media reports that it might be importing uranium from Congo to manufacture nuclear weapons. (AP Feb. 7, 2000)
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Egypt invites Russia to join nuclear power plant, uranium mining projects
Egypt has invited Russia to join a project to build a nuclear power plant (NPP) in the country and to develop Egyptian uranium deposits, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said on Friday (Apr. 19).
(RIA Novosti Apr. 19, 2013)
Egypt announces uranium discoveries
The Nuclear Materials Authority announced the discovery of huge amounts of uranium ore.
Mohsen Ali Mohamadeen, head of the Nuclear Materials Authority, says the uranium was discovered in high concentrations in five main areas, included Abu Zenima in Sinai, Abu Rashid on the Red Sea, Sila in Upper Egypt, and the Gtar area, which is located 70 kilometers away from Hurghada.
"Because uranium is considered an important strategic raw material, the plan is to use it mainly as fuel for energy production," Mohamadeen explains.
(Egypt Independent Jan. 18, 2013)
Egypt runs pilot scale plant for uranium extraction from phosphoric acid
Egypt's assured phosphate reserves of 700 million t contain 40,000 t of uranium at average concentrations of 60 ppm. A pilot scale plant for the extraction of uranium from phosphoric acid obtained from the Abu Zaabal Fertilizer And Chemical Co. is being operated by the Nuclear Materials Authority.
Source: Extraction of Uranium from Egyptian Phoshates Pilot Scale, by Mohamadin Mohsen, Egypt, IAEA Technical Meeting on "Uranium Exploration and Mining Methods", 17 - 21 November 2008, Amman, Jordan
Russia signs agreement with Egypt on exploration and mining of uranium
Russia signed a cooperation agreement with Egypt in the exploration and mining of uranium. Rosatom director general Sergei Kiriyenko said: "Egypt has very promising uranium deposits and is ready to cooperate with us in uranium prospecting and, in future, uranium mining."
(World Nuclear News June 25, 2009)
A small plane belonging to the Egyptian government's Nuclear Materials Authority crashed over northern Egypt on Jan. 15, 2008, killing two pilots, security sources and state media said. Security sources said the plane crashed in the town of Port Said, located at the northern entrance to the Suez Canal. The sources and state news agency MENA said the aircraft was on a reconnaissance flight.
MENA said the aircraft was used to detect radioactivity and to search for metals, including uranium, in the Gulf of Suez and the Egyptian desert.
(Reuters Jan. 15, 2008)
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Ethiopia suspends tantalum mining and export until domestic refining plant operational, allowing also for by-product recovery of uranium:
Ethiopia suspended tantalum mining and exports until the country acquires the capability to refine the mineral in a bid to earn more revenues from exports. The decision means that Ethiopia will not export tantalum until the nation has an operating processing plant said Tamrat Modjo, Head of the Traditional Mining Department of the Ministry of Mines .
It is expected that the processing plant will require an investment of 500 million birr [US$ 28 million].
The ban, signed into effect by Sinknesh Ejigu, Minister of Mines, is also due to the increasing contamination with uranium, a radioactive element, which is making it impossible to ship the raw material.
The uranium contaminated mineral has been mined by local traditional miners with no negative health consequences reported as of yet explained Traditional Mining Department of the MoM.
(Ethiopian Business News May 29, 2012)
Russia assisting Ethiopia with uranium exploration:
The Ethiopian Geological Survey , in collaboration with the Russian Geological Survey, is assessing the uranium deposit discovered six years ago in Bale zone, in the Oromia Regional State. The amount of deposit of uranium ore is not yet determined. However, the samples tested at the geochemical laboratory of the Ministry of Mines have shown positive results. The testing results were confirmed by another geochemical laboratory in Canada.
Recently, the Russian Geological Survey, Zaru Bezggeologia, started assisting the uranium exploration projects being undertaken in Bale and Borena. Financed by the Russian government, Zaru Bezggeologia, is providing technical assistance to the geological survey. The project was launched at the end of last January.
(Ethiopian Reporter Apr. 16, 2011)
Russia is currently cooperating with the Ethiopian Geological Survey in the study of fields and the assessment of potential uranium reserves in Ethiopia.
(Addis Fortune Mar. 22, 2011)
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In Gabon, uranium prospection and exploration is being performed by Areva,
Lucara Diamond Corp. ,
Cameco Corp.,
Renova
Areva eyes resumption of uranium mining in Gabon
Mandated by AREVA, the French firm, Géotech began on March 9, 2009, its uranium prospecting flights in the vicinity of Franceville, Moanda and Mounana in the Gabonese Haut-Ogooué province, 650 km south-east of Libreville.
According to the AREVA unit in Mounana, research done years ago show that about 26,000 tons of uranium are usable in the area.
During her last visit to Mounana in January, 2009, AREVA executive board chairwoman Anne Lauvergeon said they need at least 30,000 tons to begin operations.
(APA March 9, 2009)
Gabon willing to supply uranium to non-NPT signatory India
Gabon has conveyed that it will not be averse to supplying uranium to India.
Sources tracking India's engagement of Africa told this newspaper that Gabon is willing to enter into a commercial transaction with India. New Delhi is studying the possibility of reciprocating by enhancing its civil and military cooperation with Gabon, a source said, adding that the Mumbai-based Taurian Resources has made a foray into Niger's uranium mining industry. The sources maintained that India needs to refocus attention on the non-Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) countries also because of the reluctance of Australia, Canada and Kazakhstan to supply uranium to non-NPT signatories like India.
(The Asian Age Feb. 5, 2008)
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The tiny West African country of Gambia has discovered commercially-exploitable deposits of uranium and other rare minerals, President Yahya Jammeh said on Jan. 19, 2008.
(Reuters Jan. 19, 2008)
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Ghana invites investors to develop mineral deposits, including uranium deposits
"Ghana has made more discoveries of mineral deposits which are expected to boost the country's economy and development. The deposits include copper, phosphate, nickel, chromium and uranium.
The government has, therefore, invited the investor community to partner it to develop the country's enormous natural resources in an efficient, economic and environmentally sustainable manner that will ensure the sustainable development of the country."
(Ghana Government Portal Nov. 3, 2010)
Traces of uranium identified in tailings from Ghana gold mines
The acting Director of Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), Dr B.J.B. Nyarko, has said that the country stands the chance of striking uranium deposits in commercial quantities since there is an association between gold and uranium.
He explained that a study of gold tailings at the Nuclear Research Reactor at Kwabenya revealed traces of uranium in pits in gold-mining areas in the country.
Dr Nyarko said the research, carried out by GAEC, was not on a large scale and that a major prospecting and exploration was needed to establish the link.
(MJFM Apr. 22, 2008)
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Firawa
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In Guinea, uranium prospection and exploration is being performed by
Forte Energy NL ,
Toro Energy Ltd.,
Contico,
Burey Gold Ltd
> View deposit info
On Jan. 31, 2011, Forte Energy NL announced the commencement of pre-feasibility activities for its Firawa uranium project. The company has appointed contractors for the metallurgical testing and process design and for environmental and anthropological surveys.
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In Libya, uranium prospection and exploration is being performed by Areva
Yellow Cake uranium found stored near Sabha
The U.N. atomic agency said on Thursday (Sep. 22) that Libya's previous government had stored raw uranium near Sabha, after CNN reported that anti-Gaddafi forces had found a military site containing what appeared to be radioactive material.
The CNN crew "saw two large warehouses there, one containing thousands of blue barrels, some marked with tape saying ''radioactive,'' and several plastic bags of yellow powder sealed with the same tape," it said on its website.
In Vienna, IAEA spokeswoman Gill Tudor said: "We can confirm that there is yellow cake stored in drums at a site near Sabha ... which Libya previously declared to the IAEA."
Referring to measures to make sure material is not diverted to non-peaceful purposes, she added: "The IAEA has tentatively scheduled safeguards activities at this location once the situation in the country stabilizes."
(Reuters Sep. 22, 2011)
Canada and Libya sign agreement for nuclear cooperation, including uranium mining
Libya and Canada have signed a memorandum of intent on nuclear power, the fourth signed by Tripoli in the past two years, an official said on Thursday (July 30).
The memorandum foresees cooperation between the two countries in research and the mining, processing and transport of uranium, as well as its use in medicine and desalination projects.
Since July 2007, Libya has signed another three similar agreements with France, Russia and Ukraine.
(AFP July 30, 2009)
France and Libya sign agreement for nuclear cooperation, including uranium exploration
France has signed a nuclear cooperation agreement with Libya, adding to previous such agreements signed with other North African nations.
The accord provides for cooperation between France and Libya in several fields of the peaceful use of nuclear energy, including the generation of electricity, water desalination, exploration of uranium, and investment and training in nuclear energy. It also provides for conducting basic research and developing applications of nuclear energy in medicine, agriculture and industry, as well as cooperation in radiation protection and related areas.
In February 2007, Libya's National Bureau for Research and Development was reported to have signed a memorandum of understanding with Areva under which Areva would help to determine Libya's uranium mining potential.
(WNN July 11, 2008)
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In Madagascar, uranium prospection and exploration is being performed by
Cline Mining Corp.,
Uranium Corporation of Madagascar SARL (URAMAD),
Tranomaro Mineral Development Corporation Ltd (UK),
MDC (Madagascar),
UMC Energy plc. ,
Pencari Mining Corporation ,
Minvest Madagascar SA,
Haddington Resources Ltd ,
Red Island Resources,
Uranium Star Corp. ,
Malagasy Minerals Ltd ,
Varun Energy Corporation
Madagascar looking to revive halted uranium exploration
Madagascar's uranium mining regulator is looking to revive exploration on the island by asking companies to work together and reprocessing geological data compiled in the 1980s for investors.
All uranium exploration in Madagascar has halted since a political crisis began early last year, Joeli Valérien Lalaharisaina, general director of the Office for National Mining and Strategic Industries said. President Andry Rajoelina ousted his predecessor, Marc Ravalomanana, with the support of the military in March, 2009.
(Bloomberg Oct. 21, 2010)
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Faléa
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The following companies are performing uranium prospection and/or exploration in Mali:
Cascade Resources Ltd. ,
Northern Canadian Uranium Inc. ,
Rockgate Capital Corp. ,
Oklo Uranium Ltd
> View deposit info
Opposition to uranium mining in Faléa: Association des ressortissants et
amis de la Commune de Faléa (ARACF)
Pre-Feasibility study on Faléa mine project started:
On Nov. 15, 2012, Rockgate Capital Corp. announced the commencement of a Pre-Feasibility study on its Faléa U-Ag-Cu project in south-west Mali. Rockgate has engaged the services of the DRA Group of Johannesburg, South Africa to complete the study.
Environmental and social baseline studies commissioned on Faléa mine project:
On April 26, 2010, Rockgate Capital Corp. announced that it has commissioned environmental and social baseline studies on the Faléa Project, Mali.
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The following companies are performing uranium prospection and/or exploration in Mauritania:
Forte Energy NL ,
Alba Mineral Resources PLC ,
Mauritania Ventures Ltd ,
Shield Mining Ltd ,
Aura Energy Ltd ,
Alecto Minerals Plc ,
Mauritania Resources Ltd,
Lusitania Uranium Mauritania ,
Agrineq SA,
Earthaston Ressources,
Orecorp Mauritania Sarl
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The following companies are performing uranium prospection and/or exploration in
Morocco:
Toro Energy Ltd ,
Metalex Ventures Ltd.
Areva to study feasibility of uranium extraction from phosphates in Morocco
On Oct. 22, 2007, Areva signed an agreement with Morocco's national phosphate company Office Chérifien des Phosphates (OCP) to develop their cooperation and research initiatives regarding extraction of uranium contained in phosphoric acid produced from Moroccan phosphate ore. Uranium resources in Moroccan phosphate deposits are estimated at around 6 million tonnes. AREVA and the OCP plan to launch a joint study into the feasibility of an industrial site producing uranium from phosphoric acid.
(Areva Oct. 23, 2007)
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The following companies are performing uranium prospection and/or exploration in Mozambique:
Omegacorp Ltd.,
Mantra Resources Ltd.,
Uramin Inc.,
Kenmare Resources Plc. ,
Helio Resource Corp. ,
Jacana Resources Ltd ,
Mavuzi Resources Ltd ,
Teal Exploration & Mining Inc ,
Red Rock Resources PLC ,
North River Resources plc
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In Nigeria, uranium exploration is performed by:
Kulfana Mining Company Ltd,
Ecophoenix Limited ,
Lunar K Limited,
Western Goldfields Limited ,
Garbson Resources Ltd,
Obye Mineralogy,
Bebeyi Merchants Limited ,
Baxville Minerals Nig Ltd,
Uramin Nigeria Ltd
Rosatom signs memorandum on nuclear cooperation with Nigeria, including uranium mining
On March 18, 2009, Russia's Rosatom signed a memorandum of understanding on nuclear cooperation with the Nigeria nuclear regulator. Among others, the memorandum foresees a cooperation in the field of uranium prospection and the development of uranium desposits.
(RIA Novosti March 18, 2009)
Uranium deposits discovered in six Nigerian states
Uranium deposits of "great value" have been discovered in six Nigerian states, the News Agency of Nigeria reported on Oct. 17, 2005, but no details were given.
Deposits have been discovered in the states of Cross River, Adamawa, Taraba, Plateau, Bauchi and Kano, citing a report released by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development . The discoveries were made by the Atomic Energy Division of the British Geological Survey .
(Xinhua, Oct. 18, 2005)
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The following companies are performing uranium prospection and/or exploration in Senegal:
Uramin Inc.
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In Sierra Leone, uranium prospection and exploration is being performed by
African Minerals Limited
Russia, Iran, Libya, and others competed for uranium rights in Sierra Leone: Wikileaks
According to a Wikileaks cable released last week, former US Ambassador to Sierra Leone Ms June Carter Perry reportedly filed a report in February 2009 that Russia, Iran, Libya and others are competing for the mining rights to uranium deposits discovered in Kono.
(Concord Times, Freetown, Sep. 8, 2011)
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Somalia invites Russian firms to develop uranium deposits
Somalia hopes Russian companies will take part in the development of uranium deposits, and oil and natural gas production, the Somali ambassador to Russia said.
Mohamed Handule said prospecting for uranium deposits had been carried out during the Soviet era.
(RIA Novosti June 27, 2008)
Somalia is ready to propose uranium exports to Russia in the first place, according to its ambassador in Russia, Mohamed Mohamud Handule.
(RIA Novosti Aug. 22, 2007)
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In Sudan, uranium prospection and exploration is being performed by
Brinkley Mining Plc ,
New Kush Exploration and Mining
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In Togo, uranium prospection and exploration is being performed by
AfNat Resources Limited (?)
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In Uganda, uranium prospection and exploration is being performed by
IBI Corporation ,
Canmin Resources (Uganda) Ltd ,
Uranium Hunter Corporation ,
Magnus International Resources, Inc. ,
Signature Metals Ltd
Uganda invites uranium investors, but precludes uranium export
President Yoweri Museveni has called on investors to undertake uranium mining in the country, as an alternative energy source.
He said the NRM [National Resistance Movement] Government was committed to co-investing with the private sector to optimally utilise the available uranium resources.
Museveni stressed that Government would not tolerate the idea of exporting the mineral, but would work to have it utilised fully to serve wananchi [people] with the energy generated from the mineral.
(New Vision Feb. 1, 2009)
Uganda halts granting of uranium concessions *)
President Yoweri Museveni has ordered the ministry of energy to halt giving out concessions for the exploitation of the newly found uranium deposits in the country. He further directed the energy ministry to establish a nuclear unit in the ministry.
Uranium was first discovered in Uganda in 2004. A recent report by the ministry of energy estimates the uranium-rich areas to be 18,000 km2 in Buganda-Toro region, 12,000 km2 in Karagwe-Ankole area, 5,000 km2 between Lake Albert and Lake Kyoga, 5,000 km2 around Lake Edward, 900 km2 on the Buhwezu plateau and 12,000 km2 in Lake Albert.
According to the energy ministry, only a minority of these sites have been given out as concessions so far to local and foreign companies.
(The New Vision July 18, 2007)
*) However, in an email communication of July 12, 2011, then-Commissioner for Geological Survey and Mines Joshua T. Tuhumwire writes that the President "did not ban exploration of uranium in Uganda but rather said that exploration and mining of uranium in Uganda should be carefully managed". The Statutory Instrument that would have been required for such a ban to become effective has never been issued, to his knowledge. Tuhumwire clarifies that "such purported ban does not exist".
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Kanyemba
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In Zimbabwe, uranium prospection and exploration is being performed by
Afri-Sino Mining Resources Ltd.,
Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC),
ZimDiv Holdings Ltd
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Zimbabwe government criticised for 'secretive' mining deals - including Kanyemba uranium project
The government is facing criticism for a number of 'secretive' mining deals across Zimbabwe, which are being made without any consultation with communities and other stakeholders.
This includes an as of yet unconfirmed deal with a Chinese firm to exploit the uranium resources in the Kanyemba area. Zim media reports, quoting different sources, have said that the extraction of uranium is set to begin soon, after the Chinese were granted 'special rights' by the Mines Ministry.
China Uranium Corporation (CUC), already registered in Zimbabwe, is said to be partnering with Zimbabwe's Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC) on the project. It is understood that this same firm was granted a special explorative licence in 2009 and they are ready to begin full scale extraction soon.
Efforts to contact the Mines Ministry for clarification were fruitless on Thursday (May 16). However, Farai Maguwu from the Centre for Natural Resource Governance said there are many "secretive, opaque deals taking place."
(The Zimbabwe Mail May 16, 2013)
