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(last updated 9 May 2008)
holds a symposium on the uranium resources in the country and their valorization.
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Mount Burgess Mining NL ,
African Energy Resources (Guernsey) Ltd ,
A-Cap Resources Ltd ,
Aquentium, Inc. ,
Mootah Energetic Pty. Ltd.,
Impact Minerals Ltd
,
Crossland Uranium Mines Ltd
,
Comdek Ltd
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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Western Uranium Pty. Ltd. ,
Atlantis Sprl (Belgium),
Elemental Minerals Ltd
signed a contract for uranium exploitation in Congo in a partnership with the government.
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)
, Pitchstone Exploration Ltd. , Cameco Corp.
,
Nova Energy Ltd.,
Contico
,
PAM Atomique Sarl ,
UMC Energy plc. ,
Pencari Mining Corporation ,
Minvest Madagascar SA,
Haddington Resources Ltd ,
Red Island Resources,
Uranium Star Corp.
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Globe Uranium Ltd ,
African Energy Resources (Guernsey) Ltd ,
Mantra Resources Ltd,
Oropa Ltd ,
Retail Star Ltd ,
Eastbourne Exploration Pty Ltd ,
Lisungwe plc
Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) and Citizens for Justice Malawi (CFJ) oppose the development of uranium mines in Malawi.
Commissioning of Malawi's Kayelekera uranium project should start in December 2008, says Paladin Energy Managing Director John Borshoff.
Production ramp-up is scheduled for early next 2009.
Borshoff says the road has been cleared for Paladin to go ahead with the project, following last year's near court battle to halt mine development, as several non-governmental organisations voiced their concerns over uranium-mining in the Karonga region.
Borshoff says the company has resolved all outstanding social issues in an amicable manner, enabling the Kayelekera project to proceed unhindered.
The terms of the settlement include the establishment of a civil society organisation, which will form part of a monitoring team, which will ensure Paladin meets its environmental and health obligations.
(Nyasa Times Feb. 28, 2008)
Government and Paladin Africa Limited have come up with an environmental bond that will see the company save funds to cater for any environmental damage the extraction of the mineral will cause. Former Energy and Mines Minister Henry Chimunthu Banda said this on Feb. 6, 2008, when members of the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources toured the Kayelekera Uranium Mine in Karonga. Chimunthu Banda, who was transferred to the Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Housing in Feb. 8's cabinet reshuffle, said Paladin will open an account with one of local banks with an amount that will be quantified yearly and expected to increase depending on the environmental damage that will take place. "The idea is that at any time the mine closes, there has to be money to address environmental issues. Regarding the welfare of people, it is a requirement that at the time of entry into the mine, every worker has to undergo medical check up and records have to be kept and verified by government." (Malawi Nation Feb. 11, 2008)
One of the critical logistical problems facing the Kayelekera mining project is delay in construction of the highly politicised Karonga-Chitipa road that connects the project's site to Karonga, Deputy Minister of Irrigation and Water Development Frank Mwenefumbo said. He said the road project was moving at snail's pace resulting in the delay in commencement of the mining at Kayelekera. (The Daily Times Jan. 18, 2008)
Malawi Finance Minister Goodall Gondwe said the southern African nation is expected to earn more than a billion dollars over the next decade from uranium mining, which kicks off next year. "The IMF and our treasury officials say, at current prices, uranium could generate output for a decade worth about $1.6 billion," Gondwe told Reuters. "This is the overall amount the Malawi government is estimated to make as revenue from its 15 percent stake in the uranium project." Gondwe said that uranium is also expected to raise the country's gross domestic product (GDP) by 10 percent and increase exports by 25 percent over the ten years. Malawi's GDP is about $2 billion. (Reuters 9 Jan 2008)
The Malawi Ministry of Energy and Mining has refuted media reports that the out-of-court settlement that some Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) agreed with Malawi government and Paladin Africa Limited over the uranium mining project at Kayerekera in Karonga district were a result of death threats received by members of the involved NGO's. (Nyasa Times Dec. 3, 2007)
On Nov. 15, 2007, Paladin announced "that all six Malawian Civil Society Organisations that commenced legal proceedings against Paladin Africa Ltd and the Government of Malawi have now settled their action on a positive and amicable basis".
However, Malawian NGOs question the legitimacy of the settlement of the court case. NGOs coalition members unhappy with the settlement agreement have indicated they will "continue with legal action to protect the Malawian people's constitutional rights, unless and until the company is willing to enter negotiations to change its proposal in a way that addresses the flaws, gaps and problems in the project that pose serious public health and environmental risks".
> View MPI release Nov. 19, 2007
Civil society groups in Malawi have asked Paladin (Africa) to halt mining operations at Keyelekera in Karonga until legal challenges initiated by the non-governmental organizations on the mining are concluded.
Undule Mwakasungura, executive director of Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation said on Oct. 22, 2007, that Malawi does not have regulatory and controlling legislation for the mining of uranium. He said Malawi needed the legislation to protect the heritage of the people, to protect the environment and to ensure that regulation to compensate mineworkers and others who would suffer illness or injury because of uranium mining.
He said the NGOs want Paladin to ensure that royalties to Karonga be based at 4.5 percent of the gross annual revenue and an inclusive independent monitoring body consisting of MPs, traditional leaders, NGOs, government, Paladin and experts be constituted.
Mwakasungura also said the civil society wants an environmental bond to cater for environmental damages after closure of the mine and construction of a tailings dam to fill in tailings below the water table.
(The Daily Times Oct. 25, 2007)
Civil society organisations, represented by Mr Undule Mwakasungula, executive director of Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) and Reinford Mwangonde of Citizens for Justice (CFJ) recently met the IAEA team in Malawi; they have issued a media statement to refute the reports that also indicated that IAEA endorsed the procedures followed by Malawi government to grant Australian company, Paladin Resources, a mining licence.
A statement made available to Nyasa Times, endorsed and issued by CHRR, CFJ, Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace - Mzuzu, Church & Society of Livingstonia Synod, Foundation for Community Support Services - FOCUS and Uraha Foundation Malawi - UFM, says the concerned civil society organisation met IAEA to express their concerns at the manner in which government granted a Mining Licence and approved the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) carried out by Paladin, without the regulatory and controlling legislation and also without an all inclusive process involving stakeholders.
"In the strongest terms possible Mr. Peter Waggitt, a member of the IAEA team, contrary to the claims made by Paladin Africa and the government, denied that the IAEA had approved the EIA which had been prepared by Paladin Africa, and that the claim that the EIA had been approved by the IAEA, as reported by the media, in Malawi, Australia and elsewhere, was a fallacy and misleading," read a media statement.
The media statement says the IAEA clearly stated at the meeting that, in the absence of a national legal regulatory framework, which the government has not introduced: "Malawi is not ready to license or permit the mining of Uranium in Malawi".
On whether Malawi was ready to mine Uranium, the statement quotes Waget: "It is very necessary that all regulatory and legal frameworks has to be put in place before Uranium mining can commence, as these are radioactive materials whose mining and movement have to be controlled."
(Nyasa Times July 25, 2007)
Following a site visit by a three-member team, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) sanctioned mining of uranium at Kayelekera in Karonga. The mission took place under a technical cooperation agreement. "The IAEA team applauded government in the manner it licensed Paladin Africa to mine Uranium, noting that the procedures were exhausted. The team also noted that measures put in place to safeguard lives of communities around Kayerekera mine conform to worldwide benchmarks." (The Daily Times July 19, 2007)
On May 28, 2007, Paladin Resources Ltd. announced that a group of non-government organisations (NGOs) had launched legal action against the company's subsidiary Paladin (Africa) Ltd and the government of Malawi.
On April 9, 2007, Paladin Resources Ltd. announced that the Minister of Energy, Mines and Natural Resources of the Republic of Malawi has granted its wholly owned subsidiary Paladin Africa Ltd a Mining Licence for the Kayelekera Uranium Project. With environmental approval already received, this now clears the way for the construction processes to commence.
Mining Licence ML 0152 covers an area of 55.5km2 and has been granted for a term of 15 years renewable for further 10 year periods.
The Kayelekera Uranium Project is scheduled to commission in September 2008 and reach full production during the 2nd quarter of 2009. Annual production will be 3.3 Mlbs U3O8 [1269 t U].
Several NGOs seek court injunction to stop Paladin Africa from mining uranium at Kayelekera in Karonga unless the project comes out clear on its negative impact on people.
One of the organisations, the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP), on Wednesday said the NGOs have grouped to stop the implementation of the project because its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was not done procedurally.
"There are shortfalls highlighted in the environmental assessment report to which government has not responded, for instance, issues of protecting citizen’s rights and health."
The other organisations are the Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR), Focus on Karonga, Citizens for Justice and the Institute for Policy Interaction (IPI).
(Malawi Nation Apr. 5, 2007)
On April 2, 2007, Paladin Resources Ltd. announced that the Kayelekera Uranium Project in Malawi has received its Notice for Environmental Approval to proceed with the Project. The environmental certificate which has been issued to Paladin (Africa) Ltd, a 100% subsidiary of Paladin, is subject to conditions of reporting, environmental management, training and compliance with Development Agreement undertakings. The EIA approval is a pre requisite for a Mining Licence for the project. (Paladin Apr. 2, 2007)
Paladin Resources' Kayelekera Uranium Project in Malawi, Africa would not be approved in Australia, conclude independent reviewers (MPI Mar. 1, 2007)
On Feb. 23, 2007, Paladin announced that through its subsidiary Paladin (Africa) Ltd it has reached agreement with the Government of Malawi to enter into a Development Agreement for the Kayelekera Uranium Project. Paladin moreover announced that after review of the Bankable Feasibility Study the Board has resolved to proceed with the development.
The Malawi Government is expected to decide on whether to allow Paladin Africa to start mining uranium at Kayelekera before end of February 2007. (The Nation Jan. 19, 2007)
Five Non-Governmental Organisations have issued a statement that opposes the exploration of uranium at Kayerekela because of the long-time side effects to the people and environment. The organisations have called on government to exercise caution in relation to uranium, as its mining remains a contaminating and controversial industry. "Uranium mining threatens Malawi's natural heritage including treasures such as Sere Stream, Rukuru River and Lake Malawi. This is an ecological disaster in waiting," said the organisations in a joint statement. The NGOs are Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation, Citizens for Justice, Foundation for Community Support Services, Karonga Development Trust and Uraha Foundation. Key concerns raised by the organisations include detrimental impacts on the health of workers and nearby communities, production of large volumes of radioactive mine wastes, environmental damage and water contamination and a great chance of nuclear accidents due to tailings. (Malawi Daily Times Nov. 14, 2006)
On Oct. 5, 2006, the Draft EIA was submitted to the Malawian Department of Environmental Affairs . Interested parties were invited to submit comments within 10 weeks.
> Download Kayelekera Uranium Project, Draft Environmental Impact Assessment, September 2006 (Knight Piésold)
On Aug. 30, 2006, Malawian rights groups petitioned the government against a plan to grant a 16-year tax break to an Australian firm set to mine uranium, saying the project could be environmentally hazardous. "A 16-year tax exemption is deplorable and in bad taste when the mining life span is ten years," Undule Mwakasungura, a spokesman for a coalition of five rights groups, said, after sending the petition to the government. (Australian Aug. 30, 2006)
Knight Piésold , GRD Minproc and Paladin Resources / Paladin Africa personnel will be hosting three public consultation meetings regarding the Environmental Impact Assessment process for the proposed Kayelekera Uranium Project (Kayelekera Village: June 27, 2006, Karonga Town: June 28, 2006, Lilongwe: June 30, 2006).
The objectives of the meetings "will be to disseminate information on the project, engage public regarding the project benefits and impacts, resolve where possible any questions raised by public, and document concerns raised for inclusion in the Environmental Impact Assessment report".
The Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) requests the Malawi Ministry for Mines, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs to address the environmental concerns regarding the Kayelekera uranium project with utmost caution. According to CHRR, key stakeholders in Karonga have not been informed and consulted yet. (The Nation, Malawi, Nov. 1, 2005; CHRR release Nov. 4, 2005)
Paladin Resources Limited says there are high prospects that Malawi would venture into full throttle-mining of uranium, with feasibility studies starting by May 2005. John Borshoff, managing director for Paladin Resources Limited, a company currently working on preparations for an anticipated Kayelekera uranium mine in Karonga, said in an interview prospects for the project were good. He said after the feasibility study, full time mining would start by 2008. (The Nation, Malawi, Dec. 20, 2004)
Pre-development work is reported to have begun on a new uranium mine at Kayelekera in the north of the country. Australia-based Paladin Resources expects to start production at the mine, reported to contain at least 11,600 t of 'high-grade' deposits, in 2003. [UI News Briefing 00.32, August 9, 2000]
Paladin Resources has secured an 80% interest in the Kayelekera uranium deposit in Malawi. The sandstone deposit was discovered and proved up by CEGB (UK). It has 11,700 tonnes U3O8 in 0.187% ore with in situ leach potential. Another Perth company, Balmain Resources P/L, holds title and Paladin is spending $500,0000 over three years to farm-in to the joint venture. [UIC Weekly News Summary 27 March 1998]
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Northern Canadian Uranium Inc. ,
Delta Exploration Inc. ,
Rockgate Capital Corp. ,
Oklo Uranium Ltd
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Alba Mineral Resources PLC ,
Mauritania Ventures Ltd ,
Shield Mining Ltd ,
Aura Energy Ltd ,
GCM Resources Plc.
(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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Helio Resource Corp. ,
African Eagle Resources PLC ,
Mavuzi Resources Ltd ,
Teal Exploration & Mining Inc
(planned),
Areva NC,
Greencastle Resources Ltd. (planned),
Murchison United NL (planned),
Southampton Ventures Inc. ,
North Atlantic Resources Ltd. ,
Selier Energy Niger SARL ,
Anglo-Canadian Uranium Corp. (planned),
China National Uranium Corporation (CNUC),
Société des Mines d'Azelik (SOMINA),
Global Uranium Corporation (Ont.) ,
Homeland Uranium Inc. ,
Trendfield Holdings SA ,
Indo Energy Ltd (UK),
NGM Resources Ltd ,
Semafo Inc. ,
Orezone Resources Inc. ,
Niger Resources Inc. ,
Brighton Energy Ltd ,
Delta Exploration Inc. ,
COJ Commodity Investments Ltd (UK),
Agadez Ltd (UK),
Taurian Resources Pvt Ltd. ,
Rio Tinto,
ATI Petroleum ,
Niger Uranium Limited,
Niger Uranium SA,
Nordic Diamonds Ltd. ,
Dhanani Holding Niger,
La Société Salamat Mining Niger,
Island Arc Exploration Corp. (application),
GoviEX Niger Holdings Ltd. ,
Artemis Resources Ltd ,
Oklo Uranium Ltd ,
Aura Energy Ltd
has recently won a contract which gives it exclusive rights over 3,000 sq. km. of the Sahara Desert known to be rich in deposits of uranium. According to the estimates of the Managing Director of the company, Sachin Bajla, the area in the Arlit region is likely to hold at least 30,000 tonnes of uranium. This is the first time any Indian has won a contract for uranium exploration and mining anywhere in the world.
Heavily-armed men attacked a camp of uranium prospectors in northern Niger early on Apr. 20, 2007, killing a security guard and wounding three other people, industry sources said. Some 20-30 men demanding a better deal for local Tuareg people raided the camp operated by the French nuclear energy group Areva housing around 250 people and made off with six vehicles and a large number of mobile phones. The raid took place at Imouraren, 85 kilometres south of the main uranium-producing centre of Arlit, the sources said. The gunmen said they belonged to a group called the Niger Movement for Justice, which emerged in February 2007. They called for the proper implementation of a 1995 accord which ended a Tuareg rebellion by promising the tribesmen priority in jobs with local mining companies. (AFP Apr. 20, 2007)
Areva may begin producing 4,000 tonnes of uranium a year starting in 2011 from a deposit located in Imouraren, said Mohamed Abdoulahi, Minister of Mines and Energy. The Imouraren deposit contains 146,000 tonnes, one of the world's biggest. Areva's project will cost as much as 500 million euros, said Oumarou Massalbi, director of mines at the ministry. (The Standard Mar. 8, 2007)
Sinohydro Corp. , China's leading hydraulic construction contractor announced it has secured a 140 million U.S. dollar uranium mine construction deal in Niger with China Nuclear International Uranium Corp. (SinoUranium).
The contract calls for building a uranium mine with annual output of 600,000 tons, a coal-fired power plant and a hydrometallurgy plant in the African country, Sinohydro said in a statement on its website.
The construction will last 900 days.
(People's Daily Online Apr. 8, 2008)
On Nov. 9, 2007, the government of Niger granted Société des Mines d'Azelik (SOMINA) a mining license for the Azelik uranium deposit. SOMINA was formed on June 5, 2007, by the state of Niger and its Chinese partners. On June 19, 2007, the company applied for a mining license for the Azelik uranium deposit. The application was accompanied by an environmental impact study which was approved in July 2007, and a technical-economical feasibility study. The license was granted, after the latter study had been modified, as requested by the authorities. (Tamtaminfo Nov. 9, 2007)
CNNC plans the first production from the Teguidda deposit for the beginning of 2010. (Trendfield, July 24, 2006)
. The discoveries were made by the Atomic Energy Division of the British Geological Survey .
(Xinhua, Oct. 18, 2005)
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Western Metals Ltd ,
Sabre Resources Ltd ,
Uranium Hunter Corporation ,
Trimark Explorations Ltd.,
Gambaro Resources,
Douglas Lake Minerals Inc. ,
Canaco Resources Inc. ,
Sub-Sahara Resources NL ,
Tanganyika Uranium Corp. ,
Troll Mining Ltd,
African Eagle Resources PLC ,
Globe Uranium Ltd ,
Atomic Minerals Ltd ,
Universal Power Corp. ,
International Gold Mining Limited
,
Canmin Resources (Uganda) Ltd ,
Uranium Hunter Corporation
,
Albidon Ltd ,
Energy Ventures Limited ,
Equinox Minerals Limited,
Omegacorp Ltd,
Zambezi Resources Ltd ,
African Energy Resources Ltd ,
Aldershot Resources Ltd.,
Lithic Metals and Energy Ltd ,
African Eagle Resources PLC ,
Kiwara Resources Ltd ,
Globe Uranium Ltd
> See also: Regulatory Issues - Zambia
On Sep. 6, 2007, joint venture partners Albidon Ltd and African Energy Resources Ltd announced the beginning of a pre-feasibility study for the Njame North deposit and Gwabe prospect. Base case for the Study is 1.4 Mlb U3O8 [538 t U] annual production over an initial five year mine plan using a uranium price of US$65/lb U3O8.
Omega Corporation has expressed interest in opening up a uranium mine in Siavonga with an investment of 60 million U.S. dollars. According to managing director Mattew Yates, uranium deposits have so far been detected in Muntanga and Dibwii areas of Siavonga. He said the exploration project started in June 2006 and is expected to end in July 2007. Project manager David Dodd said Omega intends to start construct the uranium mine between July 2007 and October 2008 when the government issues a mining operating license which the company has already applied for. Production of uranium from the mine is expected to start in October 2008 and end in 2015 after operating for a period of seven years. (People's Daily Online Oct. 19, 2006)
With a uranium spot price in excess of $US50 per pound, Equinox Minerals Ltd is re-evaluating the potential for a significant uranium by-product from its Lumwana copper mine project in Zambia. The deposit contains 22 million pounds of U3O8 (8462 t U).
Equinox is looking to produce about 150,000 tonnes of copper annually from the Lumwana project when it comes online in 2008. The project has a mine life of 37 years.
(Miningnews Net, Sep. 8, 2006)
On Dec. 22, 2003, Equinox Resources announced that it was granted a Large Scale Mining lease over its Lumwana copper project. Equinox, however, has abandoned the plan to recover uranium as a by-product:
"Discrete uranium zones have been defined within the copper orebodies. These uranium zones are discrete high-grade segregations and are not disseminated throughout the copper deposits. These zones will be separately excavated, stockpiled and returned to the Malundwe pit following completion of mining as it is uneconomic to recover the uranium." (Equinox Annual Report 2003)
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