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(last updated 28 Jul 2010)
holds a symposium on the uranium resources in the country and their valorization.
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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
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].
> Calculate Mine Feasibility
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Crossland Uranium Mines Ltd ,
Crosscontinental Uranium Limited ,
Southern Cross Exploration NL ,
Longreach Oil Ltd
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Resource Generation Ltd ,
African Aura Resources Ltd. ,
Ridgeway Energy Ltd
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Xenon S.A. ,
Les Mines De Centrafrique (CAR)
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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Signet Mining Services Ltd ,
Blue Marine Global Ltd ,
Chad Mining Services
(in French)
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African Investment Group Congo
) 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)
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)
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
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)
In Gabon, uranium prospection and exploration is being performed by Areva, Motapa Diamonds Inc. , Cameco Corp.
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Toro Energy Ltd.,
Contico,
Burey Gold Ltd
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Pencari Mining Corporation ,
Minvest Madagascar SA,
Haddington Resources Ltd ,
Red Island Resources,
Uranium Star Corp. ,
Malagasy Minerals Ltd ,
Varun Energy Corporation
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Northern Canadian Uranium Inc. ,
Rockgate Capital Corp. ,
Oklo Uranium Ltd
On April 26, 2010, Rockgate Capital Corp. announced that it has commissioned environmental and social baseline studies on the Falea Project, Mali.
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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 ,
Red Rock Resources PLC
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)
. The discoveries were made by the Atomic Energy Division of the British Geological Survey .
(Xinhua, Oct. 18, 2005)
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New Kush Exploration and Mining
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Indago Resources Ltd ,
Sabre Resources Ltd ,
Uranium Hunter Corporation ,
Trimark Explorations Ltd.,
IBI Corporation ,
Gambaro Resources,
Douglas Lake Minerals Inc. ,
Canaco Resources Inc. ,
Sub-Sahara Resources NL ,
Tanganyika Uranium Corp. ,
Troll Mining Ltd,
African Eagle Resources PLC ,
Globe Metals & Mining Ltd ,
Atomic Minerals Ltd ,
Universal Power Corp. ,
Central Iron Ore Ltd ,
VIPR Industries Inc. ,
Minergy Tanzania Ltd (Mauritius),
Peak Resources Ltd ,
Kinti Mining Ltd ,
Kilimanjaro Mining Company, Inc. ,
Edenville Energy Plc
Tanzania to develop uranium deposits: In the wake of encouraging surveys of the country's uranium deposits, Tanzania's government is developing a policy on nuclear energy. Dar es Salaam Daily News reported on July 24 that Tanzania's Minister of Communications, Science and Technology Professor Peter Msolla said the country's rich uranium deposits in Dodoma and Ruvuma will be developed to allow the country to generate electricity [!]. (UPI July 24, 2009)
Uranium extraction in Tanzania to start in 2011: Tanzania plans to start uranium extraction in three years, according to Energy and Minerals minister, William Ngeleja. (Tanzania Guardian March 21, 2009)
On Mar. 1, 2010, Mantra Resources Limited announced that the Pre-Feasibility Study for the Company's Nyota Prospect, part of the wholly owned Mkuju River Project in Tanzania, has confirmed the technical and economic viability of the Project and its capacity to operate with strong cash margins. A Definitive Feasibility Study is to commence immediately, targeting completion by the end of 2010.
Uranium mining company Mantra Resources Ltd (Mantra) of South Africa has been given the go ahead by the Tanzania government to mine uranium after it met all environmental conditions as mandated by the National Environment Management Council .
Mantra expects to complete a pre-feasibility study anytime now, ahead of the awarding and commencement of a full feasibility study.
The drilling programmes are scheduled to be concluded by December and will be followed by a revised resource estimate expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2010.
(The East African Sep. 14, 2009)
"Mantra Tanzania Limited is expected to start mining uranium by 2012," Minister William Ngeleja said in a speech to parliament. (Reuters July 26, 2009)
On June 17, 2009, Mantra Resources Limited announced that the Scoping Study for its wholly owned Nyota Prospect, part of the Mkuju River Project in Tanzania, has confirmed the technical and economic viability of the Project and its capacity to operate with strong cash margins. A Pre-Feasibility Study is now underway.
> Calculate Nyota Prospect mine feasibility
> View deposit info
On Oct. 27, 2009, Uranex NL announced the commencement of the final stage of the Pre-Feasibility Study at its wholly owned Manyoni Uranium Project in central Tanzania following successful additional leach test work and initial results from the 2009 infill drilling programme.
Uranium mining company Uranex has been given the go ahead by the Tanzania government to mine uranium after it met all environmental conditions as mandated by the National Environment Management Council .
(The East African Sep. 14, 2009)
"Uranex Tanzania Limited ... expects to start producing the mineral [uranium] in 2011," Minister William Ngeleja said in a speech to parliament. (Reuters July 26, 2009)
On June 10, 2009, Uranex NL, once again, announced the commencement of the Pre-Feasibility Study for its Manyoni Project in Central Tanzania. The study now is scheduled for completion by December 2009.
Uranex NL may start operating a mine in Tanzania's central Bahi region within two years, Chief Executive Officer John Wilfred Cottle said. Studies conducted at Manyoni, about 80 kilometers west of the capital, Dodoma, in the Bahi region show an inferred resource estimate of 6,900 metric tons of uranium oxide, Cottle said in an interview today in the commercial capital, Dar es Salaam. "These are very shallow deposits so we expect it to be low-cost and relatively simple to process," Cottle said. "We would like to start producing in that region in 2010." (Bloomberg Oct. 7, 2008)
On Aug. 20, 2008, Uranex NL announced the commencement of a pre-feasibility study on the Bahi uranium project in central Tanzania. The study is to be completed by December 2008.
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Canmin Resources (Uganda) Ltd ,
Uranium Hunter Corporation ,
Magnus International Resources, Inc. ,
Signature Metals Ltd
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Albidon Ltd ,
Energy Ventures Limited ,
Equinox Minerals Limited,
Omegacorp Ltd,
Denison Mines Corp.,
Zambezi Resources Ltd ,
African Energy Resources Ltd ,
Aldershot Resources Ltd.,
AfNat Resources Limited ,
African Eagle Resources PLC ,
Kiwara Resources Ltd ,
Globe Metals & Mining Ltd
> View report Prosperity unto death: Is Zambia ready for uranium mining? - Review of the uranium mining policy in Zambia , July 8, 2010
> See also: Regulatory Issues - Zambia
is targeting 2015 as a possible date for first production from its Kawanga uranium project, in Zambia.
Kiwara CEO Peter Vivian-Neal reports that the company is in the prefeasibility stage of the project and that it will have enough data on hand by the end of the year to move into the bankable feasibility study phase.
(Mining Weekly July 10, 2009)
On Oct. 15, 2009, African Energy Resources Limited announced that the Zambian Minister for Mines and Minerals Development has granted Large Scale Mining Licence 12634-HQ-LML (ML) to Albidon Exploration Limited for the development of the Chirundu uranium project. The ML covers an area of 248 km2 and contains the Njame and Gwabe uranium deposits and the recently discovered Siamboka prospect.
On May 9, 2008, Albidon Ltd and African Energy Resources Ltd announced the completion of the Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) on the Chirundu Uranium JV project. The PFS demonstrates that commercially viable mining is possible under the projected price and cost scenarios [however: the current uranium spot price of US$ 63/lb U3O8 is lower than the projected uranium price...]. Mining would employ open pit mining and acid heap leaching.
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.
> View deposit info
Siavonga residents accept uranium mine project:
Siavonga residents have accepted the proposal by Denison Mines Zambia Ltd to mine uranium ore from Mutanga and Dibwe open pits in Chief Sinadambwe’s chiefdom.
The residents accepted the proposal during a public hearing organised by the Environment Council of Zambia (ECZ) in Siavonga on Tuesday (Oct. 27).
A total number of 107 households with 342 people would be affected and relocated.
These stand to lose their fields due to the clearance and construction of mine infrastructure in the area.
During a question and answer session, Siavonga residents however, urged Denison Mines to ensure that the mining activities did not affect the provision of quality water in the area.
(Times of Zambia Oct. 30, 2009)
Agreement signed on relocation of 107 households for Mutanga uranium mine: Denison Mines Zambia Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Chief Sinadambwe of Siavonga district for the relocation of 107 households from a uranium mining site. The MOU will create terms and conditions for the relocation negotiation process of some households in the Muntanga and Dibbwii community. The relocation of the families follows Denison Zambia Limited’s (DMZL) plans to start mining uranium deposits in the area. The mining activities will be concentrated in the two villages of Muntanga and Dibbwii in Chief Sinadambwe of Siavonga district, approximately 40 kilometres from Siavonga township. (Lusaka Times Oct. 14, 2009)
The Environmental Council of Zambia invites public comment on Denison Mines Zambia Ltd.'s uranium mine project in Zambia's Siavonga District, in Southern Province. The project will develop two open pits, one at Mutanga covering approximately 33 hectares and the other at Dibwe covering approximately 54.3 hectares. The ore will be crushed and then piled on two acid heap leach pads of 80 hectares each. After completion of leaching, the ore will be left on the leach pads.
During the mine operations, approximately 107 households will be displaced from Chiyobeka, Kasambo, Sinangosi, Kapita, Chilundu and Kumulilansolo villages. The investment cost of the project is estimated to be US$118 million.
The deadline for submission of comments is 23rd September, 2009.
> View Call for Comments (Environmental Council of Zambia)
> Download Environmental Impact Statement and associated Resettlement Action Plan
Denison Mines Corp. may start mining uranium in Zambia by 2012, the Times of Zambia reported, citing Andre Goode, the company's director for Africa. About 112 families will have to be relocated to make way for the mine, the Lusaka-based newspaper reported. Toronto-based Denison, which started uranium exploration in Siavonga in southern Zambia in 2007, has invested about $23 million in the project so far, the Times of Zambia said. (Bloomberg June 29, 2009)
The government will soon open a uranium mine in Siavonga - Southern Province, according to Mines Minister, Kalombo Mwansa. (Zambia National Broadcasting Cooperation June 26, 2007)
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)
On Oct. 2, 2009, Equinox Minerals Limited announced that mining of the uranium zones at Valeria South and Valeria North within the Malundwe pit has produced a stockpile of 1.94 million t at 1,044 ppm U and 0.81% Cu to date. This copper-uranium ore is being diverted away from the copper concentrator, and is being classified as 'waste' to the copper project. This uranium-rich copper ore stockpile may be treated at a later date, if and when the company builds a uranium plant.
Zambia's Chambishi smelter processing Lumwana copper: Chinese-owned Chambishi copper smelter has started processing concentrate from Zambia's Lumwana copper mine, initially rejected by another smelter after claims it contained uranium, a senior official said on Saturday (Sep 26). Harry Michael, chief executive of Lumwana mine, a unit of Equinox Minerals Ltd, said Chambishi smelter would treat 55 percent of the company's annual output under a five-year agreement. Lumwana's copper concentrate was rejected by Mopani Copper Mines (MCM), majority owned by Glencore International AG of Switzerland, after Mopani claimed in March that the concentrate had high uranium traces. (Reuters Sep. 26, 2009)
Uranium-rich copper ore stockpiled at Lumwana copper mine for potential later processing: On July 3, 2009, Equinox Minerals Ltd announced that the pits currently being developed on the Malundwe copper orebody include the uranium zones at Valeria South and Valeria North. These uranium zones are being selectively mined and stockpiled. This uranium-rich copper ore stockpile may be treated at a later date, if and when the company builds a uranium plant.
Environment Council of Zambia dispels pollution allegations at Lumwana mine:
Investigations conducted by the Environment Council of Zambia (ECZ) have revealed that Lumwana East river in Solwezi was not polluted by uranium discharged by Lumwana mine as alleged by media reports.
ECZ Public Relations Officer Bwalya Nondo disclosed that ECZ have also dispelled reports of crops and other plants being burnt by alleged uranium contaminants .
He explained that a comprehensive report submitted to Minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources Catherine Namugala today on the reported pollution incident by Lumwana mine has revealed that there was no trace of pollution.
The Public Relations Officer disclosed that Lumwana mine has not commenced any uranium production and that, the copper extraction process does not employ a method used that requires use of sulphuric acid which could be harmful to plants in the event of pollution to the environment.
Mr. Nondo further explained that the local community was informed that Lumwana mine would be discharging water into the river and advised them not to drink it because it was dirty and muddy.
(Lusaka Times March 20, 2009)
Equinox Minerals Ltd., developing the Lumwana copper mine in Zambia, said a refining venture controlled by Glencore International AG has refused to accept its copper concentrate for delivery because of uranium contamination. Equinox has found buyers for the material on a short-term basis and is in talks with other Zambian parties for a longer-term agreement, Chief Executive Officer Craig Williams said. (Bloomberg Mar. 2, 2009)
On Jan. 7, 2009, Equinox Minerals Limited announced that "due to current difficulty in international project financing as well as current market prices for uranium oxide, the Company believes it prudent to defer the implementation of this uranium project until such conditions improve sufficiently to deliver appropriate shareholder value. In the interim, high grade uranium ore will be stockpiled at Lumwana in accordance with Zambian legislation and international best practice."
Lumwana Mining Company (LMC) said on Dec. 30, 2008, it has received the permission to proceed with its $200 million Zambia uranium project, but the decision to begin construction of processing facilities will be taken in January 2009. Managing Director Harry Michael said the environmental impact assessment report had been endorsed by the authorities, paving the way for the construction of processing facilities and also allowing the firm to seek separate licences for mining, storage and transportation of uranium. Michael said the board of Lumwana's owner, Australia's Equinox Minerals, would take a decision in January on whether to proceed with the project on the back of a difficult global economic climate. (Reuters Dec. 30, 2008)
An Environmental Impact Assessment ('EIA') has been prepared as part of the Uranium Feasibility Study ('UFS') and was lodged in July 2008 with the Environmental Council of Zambia for project approval.
> Download: Lumwana Uranium Project Environmental Impact Assessment, July 2008 (21MB PDF)
> Download: Lumwana Uranium Project Environmental Impact Assessment Appendices, July 2008 (53MB PDF)
On Apr. 29, 2008, Equinox announced a positive Feasibility Study for uranium extraction at its Lumwana copper mine project. Equinox plans to selectively mine 1 Mt per year of uranium ore within the much larger copper mining operation. Approx. 2 Mlb U3O8 (769 t U) per year are to be recovered from the ore.
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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