New Uranium Mining Projects - Asia
(last updated 18 Jun 2009)
Contents:
In Armenia, uranium prospection and/or exploration is being performed by
Global Gold Corporation 
NGOs concerned about uranium exploration in Armenia
Syunik already is home to the copper mining works of Kapan and Kajaran. Inga Zarafian, chairman of the non-governmental organization Ecolur , said that opening a uranium mine in the area would greatly increase the ecological hazards.
Traces of heavy metals such as mercury and arsenic have already been found in the hair of children living near what is expected to be the uranium project's primary mining site, Lernadzor, some three kilometers away from Kajaran. Surveys by the Armenian National Academy of Science's Ecosphere Research Center show that ground radiation in the area exceeds the permitted level by more than three and a half times; ground contamination by heavy metals is several times higher than allowed.
(EurasiaNet March 26, 2009)
Uranium exploration plans in Armenia provoke fears among villagers
The villagers of Lernadzor in the southern hills of Armenia are alarmed at plans to prospect for uranium ore in the area, nearly forty years after a local mine was closed.
In April this year, a contract was signed between the Armenian environment minister, Aram Harutiunian, and the Russian company Atompredmedzoloto to mine uranium throughout Armenia.
The hills around Lernadzor, in the Syunik region, 340 kilometres south of the Armenian capital Yerevan, are a prime candidate for exploratory work, because the region is well known as a source of uranium since Soviet times. Experts believe there are thousands of tonnes of ore still in the ground.
The Armenian and Russian partners have said they will start prospecting by means of drilling in the hills near the villages of Lernadzor, Pukhrut and Katnarat. If they find sufficient amounts of uranium, as they expect, they will start to mine them from 2010.
(Caucasus Reporting Service Nov. 12, 2008)
Russia enters uranium mining joint venture in Armenia
On April 23, 2009, the Armenian government approved uranium exploration in Armenia by the Armenian-Russian Mining Company for five years. The Armenian-Russian Mining Company was set up in September 2008.
(RIA Novosti Apr. 23, 2009)
A joint venture established between Russia and Armenia plans to start uranium prospecting in the south of Armenia by late 2008, the venture's Russian participant said on April 22, 2008.
Atomredmetzoloto, which manages all Russian uranium-producing assets, and the Armenian Environmental Ministry, signed on April 22, 2008, in Yerevan an agreement on establishing a joint venture to prospect and mine uranium and other mineral resources on the territory of the South Caucasus state.
(RIA Novosti Apr. 22, 2008)
On Feb. 6, 2008, Russa and Armenia concluded an agreement on the establishment of a joint venture for the exploration and mining of uranium on Armenian territory. Russia plans to invest US$ 3 million into uranium exploration in Armenia in 2008.
(RIA Novosti Feb. 6, 2008)
An armenian-russian joint venture for the mining and milling of uranium ore on Armenian territory is to be founded in the first half of 2008, according to Armenian minister of environment Aram Arutjunjan. During the Soviet era, the Armenian uranium resources were estimated at 30,000 t.
(RIA Novosti Dec. 25, 2007)
Russia and Armenia have signed an agreement on geological exploration, extraction, and refining of uranium ore on the territory of the latter country. According to this agreement, the sides will form a joint venture on development and production of uranium in Armenia. They will also undertake necessary measures to prepare uranium deposits for uranium production.
(RBC Apr. 23, 2007)
Concern raised over proposed uranium mining at Nor Getik
> View The Greens Union of Armenia statement, May 17, 2006
In China, uranium prospection and/or exploration is being performed by
China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC),
Red Dragon Resources Corp. ,
Tibet Baoming Industry & Trade Ltd.
CNNC speeding up uranium exploitation in northwest China
China National Nuclear Corp. (CNNC), China's major nuclear power developer, signed a framework agreement with the government of northwestern Qinghai Province to speed up local uranium exploitation efforts in order to support government nuclear energy targets, state media reported July 16.
(Interfax China July 17, 2008)
China's uranium demand to rise sixfold by 2020; imports needed
China's uranium demand for power generation will rise to 7,000 tons by 2020 from 1,000 tons, an official with the State Nuclear Power Agency said.
China will need to import uranium to help meet demand because domestic production won't be sufficient by 2020, Li Junjie, director of the uranium material department under the agency, said at an industry conference in Beijing.
In addition to purchasing directly from foreign uranium producers, the government encourages Chinese companies to invest and develop uranium reserves overseas, he said without elaborating.
(Dow Jones Nov. 14, 2007)
China says domestic uranium deposits are sufficient by 2020 only
China has enough uranium reserves to develop its nuclear power industry by 2020, said Wang Zhongtang, a senior official with the State Environment Protection Administration.
A recent survey on 4.3 million square km of the country's territory indicated the annual exploitations of uranium will be able to meet demand in the years up to 2020, he said.
But the official admitted global market is necessary for the long-term development of China's nuclear power industry.
The country is talking with South Africa and Australia about related cooperation and developing new ways to improve the efficiency of uranium usage, said the official.
(People's Daily July 9, 2007)
China to set up strategic uranium reserve
China will build a strategic uranium reserve in the coming years as it pushes a plan for a massive expansion of its nuclear power industry by 2020, state press said on Apr. 17, 2007.
According to the plan, China will focus domestic uranium exploration in the Yili Basin in northwestern China's Xinjiang region and in the Ordos Basin in Inner Mongolia.
China will also seek uranium resources overseas, it said.
(AFP Apr. 18, 2007)
On May 17, 2007, Sparton Resources Inc. announced that China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) has agreed to purchase any uranium oxide produced from the coal ash leaching tests, as well as any future U3O8 production from the program.
On Dec. 19, 2006, Sparton Resources Inc. reported that it has identified a major supply of uraniferous coal ash in central Yunnan Province.
The local coal has a high ash content (approximately 20-30%) and the coal uranium content varies from about 20-315 parts per million (ppm) and averages about 65 ppm U (historical and current data). Both the bottom ash and fly ash samples tested by Sparton returned values varying from 123-142 ppm U.
Assuming an average U content of 125 ppm, the annual coal ash produced from the three power stations burning that coal contains about 390,000 pounds of U3O8 [150 t U]. At a uranium recovery rate of 70% (to be confirmed with planned leaching tests) 273,000 pounds of uranium oxide [105 t U] could be processed annually.
Guyuan, Hebei Province
> View deposit info
Trial production at the Guyuan uranium-molybdenum mine in Hebei Province is expected to start at the beginning of 2009. (CNNC Aug. 29, 2008)
> See extra page!
Kusmayanto Kadiman, Indonesia's Minister for Research and Technology, says that with help from Australian officials and mining companies, Indonesia has identified its own uranium reserves in Kalimantan, which it hopes to exploit, with Australia's help.
(ABC Jan. 10, 2008)
Iran will inaugurate a new uranium ore processing plant in less than a year in Ardakan, central Iran, a top nuclear official said on April 9, 2008.
Hossein Faghihian, deputy head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran in charge of nuclear fuel, said the Ardakan Yellowcake Production Plant would open before the end of the current Iranian calendar year, which is March 20, 2009.
Faghihian said the new plant at Ardakan is to have a capacity to produce 70 tons of yellowcake a year.
(AP April 9, 2008)
"We will be able to extract uranium ore in the first half of 2006 from Saghand mine. More than 77 percent of the work has been accomplished," Ghasem Soleimani, the British-trained director of mining operations at the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, said at the Saghand mine on Sep 4, 2004. Soleimani said uranium could be extracted from the shafts as early as mid 2005 if the Iranian leadership wants things speeded up, but there was no suggestion that political leaders in Tehran want that to happen. (AP Sep 5, 2004)
Some information on the project was given by Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Vice President for Nuclear Fuel Production M. Ghannadi-Maragheh at the WNA Annual Symposium 3-5 September 2003 in London:
The Saghand uranium mine project is situated 185 km north-east of the city of Yazd, covering an area of 20 hectares. The detail exploration, completed in 1994, was concentrated on two important anomalies called no. 1 and 2, resulting in a calculated reserve of 1.58 million metric tonnes of uranium ore, at an average grade of 533 ppm (0.0533% U). This corresponds to a total uranium contents of 842 metric tonnes of U.
The projected underground uranium mine will have two shafts 350 meters deep each.
Ores with grades above 300 ppm are to be sent to the uranium mill, while ores with grades between 100 and 300 ppm are to be exploited by heap leaching.
An uranium mill with an annual capacity of 120,000 metric tonnes of ore and an annual output of 50 metric tonnes of uranium is being built 35 km north of Ardakan city.
On Feb. 9, 2003, President Khatami said that Iran has adopted plans to exploit the uranium mines 200 km off Yazd in central Iran and set up plants in Isfahan and Kashan to extract uranium composites to provide fuel for generating electricity. (IRNA 9 Feb. 2003)
According to Reuters, the extraction of uranium has already started.
(The deposit in question presumably is located at Saghand. According to the IAEA/NEA 2002 Red Book, this deposit has Reasonably Assured Resources of only 491 tonnes U and Estimated Additional Resources (Cat. I) of 876 tonnes U, both in the $80 - 130/kg U recovery cost category, that is 3 - 5 times the current world market price of approx. $10/lb U3O8.)
Iran's nuclear chief Gholamreza Aghazadeh said on May 3, 2006, studies show there are considerable amounts of uranium ore at Bandar Abbas, mineable in open pits. According to first estimates, an annual production of 30 t of U3O8 seems to be possible, at lower mining cost than at Saghand. (AFP May 3, 2006)
According to intelligence information, Iraq is performing repair work at the Al Qaim uranium concentration plant, where it used to extract uranium before the 1991 Gulf War.
(dpa Feb 23, 2002 / Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung Feb 24, 2002)
The Mitsubishi Research Institute (MRI) has recently recommended Japan mass-culture seaweed to collect natural resources such as bio-ethanol and uranium. In the "Apollo and Poseidon Initiative 2025," MRI suggests that Japan cultures gulfweed, which can grow more than 2 metres high a year in the sea. The plants could also absorb carbon dioxide and purify the seawater, and can be used as non-food alternative energy sources for bio-ethanol. In April, MRI plans to inaugurate a consortium comprising public research institutes and manufacturers to move the plan forward. Using advanced molecular and gene-engineering technologies, MRI estimates that Japan would be capable of producing 65 million metric tons of gulfweed a year, and recovering 195 million tons of uranium [?!?] - 40% of Japan's total consumption - that is absorbed in the seaweed.
(Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, 19 February 2008, as cited in Science & Innovation Section Newsletter, British Embassy Tokyo, February 2008)
Note: According to the 2008 NEA/IAEA Red Book, Japan's reactor-related uranium requirements in 2007 were 8790 t U, so 40% would correspond to 3516 t U.
Japanese government to subsidize overseas uranium exploration
The Natural Resources and Energy Agency will subsidize half the cost of uranium exploration to support private companies conducting geological surveys and other operations overseas, prompted by rising concerns about a possible shortage of the mineral due to surging energy demand worldwide.
"We want to secure concessions in large uranium deposits to improve the level of self-reliance in the nuclear fuel cycle," said the agency, which is under the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
For fiscal 2007, 1 billion yen [US$ 8.4 million] in subsidies will be provided via Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corp. to trading companies and power utility-affiliated companies that are exploring uranium deposits.
The funding aims at six to seven locations, including Australia, in addition to Canada and Kazakhstan, the agency said.
The agency said Japan is totally dependent on imported uranium to fuel its nuclear plants. But uranium from decommissioned nuclear weapons and from commercial inventories are likely to shrink as the United States resumed construction of new nuclear plants recently and as energy demand in India and China continue to surge.
(Japan Times Jan. 6, 2007)
> See also Uranium Recovery from Phosphates
In Jordan, uranium prospection/exploration is being performed by Rio Tinto.
Russia signs nuclear cooperation agreement with Jordan, including development of uranium deposits
On 22 May 2009, Russia and Jordan have signed an inter-governmental agreement for cooperation in the field of peaceful use of nuclear energy.
The agreement is aimed at creating a firm legal basis for Russian-Jordani cooperation in the field of peaceful use of nuclear energy and covers a wide range of activities including:
1. Engineering and construction of commercial and research nuclear reactors, water desalination plants and accelerators;
2. Prospecting and development of uranium deposits;
3. Nuclear fuel cycle services, supply of nuclear fuel from Russia and return of spent fuel;
among others.
(Nuclear Engineering International May 22, 2009)
Positive feasibility study on Jordan's potential to produce uranium from phosphate
The SNC-Lavalin Group of Canada has recommended the extraction of uranium from phosphate ores in Jordan to fuel the nuclear reactors the country plans to set up, Jordan Atomic Energy Commission (JAEC) President Khaled Toukan said March 2, 2009.
'The feasibility study conducted by SNC-Lavalin has come up with very positive results as to Jordan's potential to produce uranium from phosphate ores,' Toukan said.
(Middle East News Mar 2, 2009)
Jordan signs nuclear accord with China on uranium exploration
On Aug. 19, 2008, Jordan signed a memorandum of understanding on nuclear cooperation with China.
The two countries will work together to explore for and mine uranium in Jordan and may also build a nuclear reactor, Khalid Touqan, the head of the Jordan Nuclear Energy Commission said.
The agreement, similar to ones signed with France and the UK, intends to help Jordan, which imports almost all its energy needs, develop a nuclear program to generate electricity and power water-desalination plants.
The country has uranium reserves estimated at 140,000 tons, according to Touqan.
(Business Intelligence Middle East Aug. 20, 2008)
On Nov. 24, 2008, Jordan and China signed an executive protocol for the nuclear cooperation agreement the two countries signed in August, according to Jordan Nuclear Energy Commission (JNEC) President Khalid Touqan.
The protocol focuses on cooperation in the areas of mining and enriching uranium in two areas in the Kingdom, as well as collaboration in the field of training and related research.
(Jordan Times Nov. 25, 2008)
Jordan signs nuclear accord with Romania on uranium mining
Jordan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Romania on nuclear cooperation. Under the MoU, Romania will assist Jordan to design, and operate the Jordanian uranium reactor. Moreover, the MoU includes, among others, cooperation in the areas of mining and processing of raw material of uranium in Jordan.
(Petra Nov. 14, 2008)
Jordan, Britain agree on civilian nuclear cooperation, including uranium exploration and mining
On June 29, 2008, the governments of Jordan and Britain signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, the chairman of the Jordan Atomic Energy Commission (JAEC) Khalid Touqan said.
Britain promised to put its nuclear know-how at the disposal of the JAEC for the exploration and mining of uranium ores in Jordan. It also promised to provide nuclear reactors in Jordan to ensure a stable nuclear fuel service at feasible prices, Touqan said.
(The Earthtimes June 29, 2008)
Feasibility study underway for uranium extraction from phosphates
A feasibility study for the creation of the Kingdom's first uranium manufacturing facility is under way, due to be completed in seven months, a top executive concerned with the project said.
Jordan Phosphate Mines Company (JPMC) Chairman and CEO Walid Kurdi told The Jordan Times an international company is undertaking the probe into the extraction of uranium from phosphoric acid manufactured by JPMC's fertilisers plant.
"The study will identify the best technologies of uranium extraction from phosphoric acid, set the engineering designs of the facility and determine the total capital and operational cost of the facility," Kurdi added.
The Jordanian phosphate used in manufacturing phosphoric acid contains about 50-100 parts per million (ppm) of uranium that can be extracted via modern technological methods.
French nuclear manufacturer Areva will be given the chance to extract an estimated 130,000 tonnes of uranium from the country's 1.2 billion tonnes of phosphate reserves and build a nuclear reactor.
(The Jordan Times, June 17, 2008)
Jordan, France sign deal on help with nuclear energy and uranium extraction
On May 30, 2008, Jordan and France signed an agreement to help the Arab kingdom develop its nuclear energy program.
France will also train Jordanian nuclear scientists and help in uranium extraction, according to the agreement. Uranium is abundant in the desert country.
(AP May 30, 2008)
On Aug. 27, 2008, AREVA and the Jordan Atomic Energy Commission (JAEC) signed a memorandum of understanding in the mining business, providing for their creation of a joint venture for the exploration of uranium resources in the Central Jordan province.
A mining convention will be drawn up for the exploration and exploitation stages of the project.
(Areva Aug. 27, 2008)
Jordan to float tender for construction of first uranium mine
On May 15, 2008, Prime Minister Nader Dahabi said the government will sign cooperative agreements with international companies specialised in uranium extraction by the end of 2008 in order to develop the Kingdom's nuclear energy programme.
The premier said the Kingdom's estimated uranium reserves amount to around 70,000 tonnes and are worth $7 billion.
Meanwhile, Jordan Nuclear Energy Commission (JNEC) President Khalid Touqan announced on May 15, 2008, that the JNEC will float an international tender to invite bids for the design and construction of the country's first uranium mine by the end of 2008, to be operational by 2012.
Touqan added that the government intends to form a strategic partnership with leading international companies in the fields of uranium extraction and utilisation.
(Jordan Times May 16, 2008)
Jordan planning to exploit uranium deposits
The Kingdom of Jordan is planning to exploit its uranium deposits to provide the raw material for nuclear reactor fuel and has already requested bids from three international companies to extract the uranium available in six areas.
In addition, uranium resources available in the country's phosphate deposits are a subject of negotiations with Canadian SNC-Lavalin International , Jordan Nuclear Energy Commission (JNEC) President Khalid Touqan said.
He estimated these uranium deposits at around 130,000 tonnes, with a mine to be constructed by the end of the year 2008 and start production by 2012.
(Jordan Times May 9, 2008)
France to get access to Jordan's uranium resources
Jordan is very close to signing a deal with France whereby the first gets a nuclear reactor in seven years while the latter gets access to uranium resources, an informed Jordanian government source said.
Remarks to this effect were quoted by Al-Arab Al-Yawm paper on April 13, 2008, and the source is said to have indicated the deal came after talks with two companies, a British and a French company, and the details of the deal signed with the French company would be announced at a later time.
According to the source, some USD 1.5 billion worth of uranium material would be extracted virtue of this deal, the bulk of which is to finance purchase of the peaceful-purpose nuclear reactor and the rest to go to the treasury.
(Kuwait News Agency Apr. 13, 2008)
Kazakhstan assists Jordan with development of uranium deposits
According to a protocol signed at the occasion of the 2nd Kazakh-Jordanian Intergovernmental Commission's sitting on trade-economic and cultural and humanitarian cooperation in Astana, cooperation in the sphere of development of uranium deposits in Jordan will be continued.
(Kazinform Aug. 8, 2007)
Jordan says it has the uranium needed for its nuclear program
Jordan said the country possessed the uranium needed to develop its newly announced nuclear energy program but cautioned that it still requires the necessary legislation and manpower to pursue the technology.
Jordan's energy czar Khaled al-Shraydeh told the official Petra news agency that the country is estimated to have 80,000 tons of uranium. He added that the country's phosphate reserves also contain some 100,000 tons of uranium.
(AP May 5, 2007)
> View extra page
In South Korea, uranium prospection and/or exploration is being performed by
Oriental Minerals Inc. ,
Korea Resources Corporation
> View deposit info
Development of Yongchun uranium mine started
In September 2007, development of a uranium mine started at Yongchun, Songhak-ri in Hoiryeong. The works were interrupted in November 2007, though. Uranium production is expected to begin in the second half of 2008.
(DailyNK Dec. 12, 2007)
In Kyrgyzstan, uranium prospection and exploration is being performed by
Monaro Mining NL ,
Sinosteel Corp. ,
Eurasian Minerals Inc. ,
Linia Prava Uranium Ltd ,
Nimrodel Resources Ltd ,
Stans Energy Corp. ,
Greenwich Global Capital Inc. ,
Monitor Energy Ltd ,
Leopard Minerals plc ,
Tau Mining Ltd (UK),
Long Alpha Mining Company LLC,
Dynamite Resources Ltd ,
Pangaea Energy Ltd
> See also: Cleanup of Mailii-Su uranium mill tailings
On Jan. 9, 2008, Nimrodel Resources Ltd announced that its 100% owned Kyrgyz subsidiary Linia Prava Uranium Ltd has been issued licenses to allow prospecting for the reprocessing and extraction of uranium and other metals from 23 tailings deposits in the Mailuu-Suu district of Central Kyrgyzstan.
On Oct. 23, 2008, Nimrodel Resources Ltd announced that "In the context of the prevailing global economic uncertainty and current uranium prices, the investigations carried out to date do not support the development of the re-processing of the Mailuu Suu Tailings in its current form. However, the Scoping Study has also established financial parameters and attractive low-cost, modular re-processing technology, which can be readily applied to large quantities of tailings in diverse locations."
> View plant info
> see also: Zarechnoye project (Kazakhstan)
> View more recent issues
Kara Balta uranium mill for sale
A Russian asset-management group -- Renova Group member UralPlatina Holding -- has won a tender for the Kyrgyz state's majority stake in uranium processor Kara Balta Mining. (RFE/RL Feb. 22, 2007)
On Sep. 4, 2006, a new tender for the Kara Balta uranium mill was opened. It will be open until Oct. 2, 2006. (Kazakhstan Today Sep. 4, 2006)
The tender failed again. (Interfax Oct 9, 2006)
On Aug. 18, 2006, the Kyrgyz government announced a tender for a stake in the Kara-Baltinsk uranium mill, beginning August 28, 2006.
The Kyrgyz State Property Management Committee said 72.28% of the company's shares will be offered at an initial price of 155.424 million soms (about US$ 4 million). (RIA Novosti Aug. 18, 2006)
A tender on the sale of the state block of stock of the Kara Balta uranium processing and mining facility in Kyrgyzstan has failed. There have been no investors to apply for participation in the tender organised by the State Property Committee of Kyrgyzstan on August 28, 2006. It has been the third attempt to sell the enterprise (Itar-Tass, Aug. 29, 2006)
The Kyrgyz government announced its intention to conduct an international tender for the sale of the Kara Balta Mining Combine. Kara Balta controls a large hydrometallurgical facility near Bishkek. Annual uranium production of the facility was listed at 3600 tU per year. Most recently, the facility provided final processing for in-situ leach (ISL) slurries from mines in southern Kazakhstan and is reportedly involved in the Zarechnoye joint venture with Kazakhstan and Russia. According to a government spokesman, the processing facility - 72.28% state-owned - closed in 2004 due to "unstable raw material supplies from Kazakhstan". (WNA News Briefing 05.11, 22 Mar 2005)
The auction will be held on July 26, 2005. The initial price is 140.02 million Soms (US$ 3.4 million). (AKIPress July 2, 2005)
Kara Balta mill to process uranium-containing waste material from BNFL Springfields (UK)
The German company RWE Nukem GmbH has contracted the Kara Balta uranium mill to process 1750 tonnes of uranium-bearing material. The material contains natural uranium at a concentration of 3%. According to a Nukem speaker, the material originates from the decommissioning of a non-specified "West-European facility", not from Nukem's own operations. The residual material that will be left over from the uranium extraction will remain in Kyrgyzstan.
(AKIPress Feb. 24, 2004, RIAN Feb. 25, 2004, NUKEM Feb. 27, 2004)
On Feb. 26, 2004, Kyrgyzstan Prime Minister Nikolai Tanayev said the Kyrgyz government objects to bringing uranium waste from abroad into the country. "The government disapproves of the project. It will not allow the country to be turned into a uranium waste dump," Tanayev said. "First and foremost, Kyrgyzstan must solve the problem of uranium tailing storage facilities."
On Feb. 25, 2004, a number of non-governmental organizations made a joint statement opposing the waste import.
(Interfax Feb. 26, 2004)
An expert commission, composed of specialists, government members, and parliamentarians, has supported the processing of nuclear wastes from Germany at Kyrgyzstan's Kara-Balta mining combine.
The Kara-Balta mining combine and the German company RWE NUKEM GmbH in 2003 concluded a contract under which 1,700 used graphite crucibles containing no more than 5% of uranium would be processed and stored in Kyrgyzstan.
(Interfax Jul. 13, 2004)
According to an article in New Scientist (Sep. 25, 2004), the material in question comprises 1800 tons of radioactive material currently stored in 10,600 drums at the BNFL Springfields nuclear fuel plant near Preston in north-west England. The Kara-Balta mill - said to be one of the few plants capable of separating the uranium from the graphite - will recover 90 tons of reactor-grade uranium from the material, while the remaining 1710 tons will be disposed of in Kyrgyzstan.
(The Guardian, The Independent, AKIPress Sep. 23, 2004)
However, the Kyrgyz authorities have not agreed to the import of the uranium waste and have not even received a license application for it.
(IRIN Sep. 23, 2004)
The Kyrgyz government now has prohibited the import of the waste material in question. (AKIPress Sep. 29, 2004)
Kyrgyzstan ratifies IAEA non-proliferation regulations - Kara Balta mill to restart
The Kyrgyz parliament's ratification of IAEA non-proliferation regulations on the production and turnover of raw uranium will make it possible to resume uranium production at the Kara-Balta plant, which had been idle for one year.
Agreements have been signed on the supply of 400 tonnes of raw uranium from Kazakhstan in January. In total, the supply will make 1,700 tonnes in 2004.
Kyrgyzstan became a member of the IAEA in 2003.
(Interfax, Kabar Dec. 8, 2003)
In Mongolia, uranium prospection and exploration is being performed by Jindal Steel & Power Ltd ,
Denison Mines Corp., East Asia Minerals Corp. ,
Mega Uranium Ltd.,
UGL Enterprises Ltd. , Western Prospector Group Ltd.,
Erdene Gold Inc. ,
Red Hill Energy Inc. ,
Khan Resources Inc.,
Marubeni Corp. ,
Century City International Holdings Ltd ,
Chain Bright LLC ,
Solomon Resources Ltd ,
Tooroibandi Limited,
Uranium 308 Corp. ,
Polo Resources Ltd. ,
Peabody Energy Corporation
IAEA offers assistance with development of uranium deposits to Mongolia
Mongolia and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will work together toward implementing a joint program for the peaceful and effective use of the nation's uranium.
IAEA Director General ElBaradei said the IAEA will support Mongolia's efforts to use its proven reserves with the help of international assistance.
(UB Post Apr. 24, 2009)
Russia-Mongolia uranium agreement signed
Russia and Mongolia have signed an agreement to cooperate in the production of Mongolian uranium. Prime minister Sanjaa Bayar also told journalists that his country is interested in building a nuclear power plant with Russian help.
According to reports, the agreement signed during a visit by Bayar to Moscow comprises a plan of joint actions whereby Russian specialists would assist in the uranium exploration, extraction and processing in Mongolia. OECD Nuclear Energy Agency and International Atomic Agency figures show Mongolia's 'reasonably assured' uranium resources are currently estimated at some 46,000 tonnes, but Sergei Kiryenko, head of Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom, was upbeat about the possibility the country could have much more. "I think they are more than officially registered, over 100,000 tonnes," he said.
(WNN 11 Apr. 2008)
Russia, Mongolia to jointly prospect, produce, process uranium
"[Nuclear power agency] Rosatom and Mongolia's industry and trade ministry signed a protocol on development of cooperation in the field of geological prospecting, production and processing of uranium ores," Rosatom secretary Sergei Novikov said on April 13, 2007.
Rosatom head Sergei Kiriyenko held a meeting with Mongolian President Nambaryn Enkhbayar and held talks with the country's prime minister, Miegombyn Enkhbold, during which it was agreed to implement international projects in Russia and Mongolia.
(RIA Novosti, April 13, 2007)
> View deposit details
CNNC International Ltd, formerly known as United Metals Holdings Ltd, announced on Apr. 15, 2009, that it had decided to acquire Canada-based Western Prospector for about HK$198 million. (China Knowledge Apr. 15, 2009)
On April 14, 2009, Western Prospector Group Ltd. reported that it has received notice from the Mineral Resources Authority of Mongolia ("MRAM") stating that Western's exploration licenses 7685X and 4969X, which are the primary licenses for Western's Gurvanbulag deposit, have been suspended for three months due to violations cited by inspectors from Mongolia's Atomic Energy Agency.
On Mar. 25, 2009, Western Prospector Group Ltd, Mongolia-focused uranium miner, said it agreed to be bought by a unit of Hong Kong-based CNNC International Ltd (Reuters March 25, 2009)
On Jan. 9, 2009, Western Prospector Group Ltd. announced the results of the Gurvanbulag Definitive Feasibility Study. At an assumed selling price of US$ 65.00 per lb U3O8, the mine would only just be feasible. At the current spot market price of US$ 53 per lb U3O8, however, the mine would not be feasible.
> Calculate Mine Feasibility
On Dec. 9, 2008, Western Prospector Group Ltd. announced that it has filed its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for its Gurvanbulag project with the Mongolian Ministry of Nature and the Environment. The EIA was prepared by environmental consultants EcoTrade LLC, an environmental consulting firm based in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
On Nov. 30, 2007, Western Prospector Group Ltd. announced that it has received a positive Preliminary Economic Assessment pertaining to its 100% owned Gurvanbulag uranium deposit located in Mongolia.
> View deposit details
On Dec. 4, 2008, Khan Resources Inc. announced that it has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Marubeni Corporation of Japan relating to uranium exploration and mining in Mongolia. The Energy Division of Marubeni is interested in working with Khan on the Mongolian Dornod uranium project.
On Aug. 15, 2007 Khan Resources Inc. announced that it has completed a Pre-Feasibility Study for its Dornod Uranium Project in north eastern Mongolia. The study assumes a uranium price of US$55 per lb U3O8, and a through-put of 3,500 tonnes per day over a 15.5 year mine life, which will give an average annual production rate of 2.9 million lbs U3O8 [1115 t U], at a cost of US$19.99 per lb U3O8 or US$49.21 per tonne of ore. The capital cost of the project is projected to be approximately US$283 million.
The Dornod project implementation schedule is conservatively estimated to be approximately 45 months from the start of the Feasibility Study to the start of plant production. The Feasibility Study is expected to commence in the Fall of 2007, ahead of the negotiations for an Investment Agreement with the Government of Mongolia.
"Mining has commenced at the Dornod uranium mine in Mongolia. The first heap leach pad has been constructed, additional mining equipment is being procured and the leach plant is being fabricated. Plans are progressing for the reopening of the underground mine. Production of yellowcake is projected for mid-1998, initially at an annualized rate of 800,000 pounds of U3O8 per year, rising to at least 2.6 million pounds of U3O8 per year when the underground is in full operation in 1999-2000." (World Wide Minerals, Jan. 7, 1998)
"World Wide Minerals Ltd. announced today that, pending the resolution of the Kazakhstan Government's obligations to WWS and a general strengthening of uranium prices, the Management Committee of Central Asian Uranium Company, Ltd. ("CAUC") has decided to place the Dornod Uranium Project on standby." (World Wide Minerals, Aug. 7, 1998)
Myanmar government intensifies exploration for uranium
The Myanmar government has stepped up its exploration for uranium in the country. Surveys and test mining are taking place at four sites, including in the ethnic Kachin and Shan states, a government official told Asia Times Online on condition of anonymity. At the time the original plans for a nuclear reactor were mooted, the government had reportedly discovered uranium deposits in five areas in central and northern Myanmar, according to official government statistics.
(Asia Times May 24, 2007)
Rosatom and Oman sign document on nuclear cooperation, including uranium exploration and mining
Russian Rosatom and Oman have signed a declaration of intent for the cooperation in the field of nuclear power. The document covers, among others, the exploration and mining for uranium.
(RIA Novosti June 2, 2009)
Pakistan's government has prepared a $600 million extensive plan for exploring and mining uranium deposits in the country to fuel future nuclear power plants (NPPs).
Informed sources told Dawn that uranium deposits so far discovered in 'Siwalik rocks' in some parts of central Punjab were of low grade. However, by applying new mining technique, good quality uranium could be produced at a competitive rate with a view to progressively developing the uranium mining sector.
The mineral sector is required to produce 350 tons of yellow cake (U3O8) per year by 2015 for meeting one-third requirements of the planned NPPs.
The mining of uranium will be undertaken at three sites -- Bannu Basin, Suleman Range-3 and Suleman Range-4 in Dera Ghazi Khan -- to produce the required fuel for NPPs. Through these NPPs, the government wants to produce 8,800 MW of electricity by 2030.
(Dawn March 1, 2007)
On June 24, 2004, the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) of the Planning Commission has approved a uranium resources exploration project, which will cost Rs614.1 million (US$ 11 million). The project is "to ensure indigenous supply of uranium against abrupt suspension of such foreign supplies in the future".
(Dawn July 11, 2004)
> View deposit info
On Feb. 6, 2008, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec), approved the uranium mining project Taunsa 2, Dera Ghazi Khan, worth Rs 2.386 billion (US$ 38.18 million) including foreign exchange component (FEC) of Rs 1.15 billion (US$ 18.4 million).
(Business Recorder Feb. 7, 2008)
> View deposit info
A new uranium field has been 'developed' in Tumman Leghari, South Punjab, by the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), it is reported. (UI News Briefing 99.42)
In the Philippines, uranium prospection and exploration is being performed by
Macro Asia Corp. (application filed)
> See also Russia (European part)
> See extra page
In view of the increased uranium market price, Tertiary Minerals PLC considers by-product recovery of the uranium contained in the ore of its Ghurayyah tantalum-niobium deposit in Saudi Arabia.
The company's scoping study for development of Ghurayyah considered mining at an initial rate of 1.5 million tonnes of ore per year. The uranium contents of this ore would be 466,000 lbs per year of U308 (179 t U) per year. Recoveries have yet to be estimated.
(Tertiary Minerals PLC April 19, 2006)
Russia to help Tajikistan to develop uranium deposits
Russia will help Tajikistan to develop gas and uranium deposits, Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev said following talks with his Tajik counterpart, Emomali Rahmon.
"We want to assist in geological prospecting in Tajikistan with the aim of subsequent extraction and possible processing of energy resources. I mean gas and uranium," he said.
(Itar-Tass/BBC Monitoring Central Asia Aug. 29, 2008)
Tajikistan investigates feasibility of uranium recovery from reprocessing of uranium mill tailings
In the north of Tadzhikistan, specialists of state enteprise Vostokredmet began research works on the study of the possibilities of the extraction of uranium from uranium mill tailings.
(Kazakhstan today July 17, 2008)
In Turkey, uranium prospection and/or exploration is being performed by
Aldridge Minerals Inc. ,
Aldridge Uranium Inc.
In Turkmenistan, uranium prospection and/or exploration is being performed by
AXG Mining Ltd
In Uzbekistan, uranium prospection and/or exploration is being performed by
Areva,
Navoi Mining and Milling Complex,
Uran Ltd ,
Korea Resources Corporation ,
Mitsui & Co, Ltd. (planned)
Uzbekistan, Japan conclude agreement on joint uranium exploration
On June 15, 2009, Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC) and Uzbek State Committee for Geology and Mineral Resources (GOSCOMGEOLOGY) concluded an agreement on the joint exploration for uranium in Uzbekistan.
This project is based on the Memorandum of Understanding signed between JOGMEC and
GOSCOMGEOLOGY on April 28, 2007.
The target area of this project is in the Navoi region and consists of three mining properties. Drilling work will begin from September 2009, spending approximately US$500,000; it is intended to compile the result of the survey by March 2010.
(JOGMEC June 16, 2009)
Uzbekistan plans to develop seven new uranium deposits to achieve 50% production increase by 2012
Uzbekistan's export operator the Navoiisky mining and smelting plant (NGMK) plans to put into operation seven new uranium deposits, the NGMK general director said on Jan. 13, 2009.
Kuvandik Sanakulov said the uranium production and enrichment monopoly was conducting geological prospecting work at five of the seven deposits.
"As part of an increase in uranium production up to 2012, the expansion and reconstruction of sulfuric production, at a cost of about $12 million, will be carried out. The implementation of the program will make it possible to increase uranium production in 2012 by 50%," Sanakulov said.
(RIA Novosti Jan. 13, 2009)
Japanese Sojitz Corp. signs accord to explore for uranium in Uzbekistan
On Oct. 9, 2008, Japanese trading house Sojitz Corp and Uzbekistan agreed to look into forming a joint venture to explore for uranium in the Central Asian country.
Sojitz was granted exclusive negotiating rights for 18 months with the government for the development of the Chetbertoye mine, about 350 kilometres west of Tashkent, the trading house said in a statement.
If a final agreement is reached, the joint venture plans to explore for underground resources after acquiring the proper license, as well export and sell to overseas electric power companies all uranium produced.
(Reuters Oct. 9, 2008)
Mitsui to conduct joint uranium exploration in Uzbekistan
Mitsui & Co Ltd announced that it has signed a protocol of intent with State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Geology and Mineral Resources with a view to investigating the possibility of establishing a joint venture to carry out geological exploration works for black shale type uranium in Uzbekistan.
Following the signing of this document, Mitsui & Co has been entitled by GOSCOMGEOLOGY the right to exclusive negotiation for 18 months. It will proceed with in depth discussions on the terms and conditions of joint exploration, establishment of a joint venture company and performance of exploration works. The subject area selected for joint study is Zapadno-Kokpatasskaya Area potential for black shale type uranium, located 300 kilometers northwest of Navoi.
(SteelGuru Aug. 8, 2008)
South Korea to purchase 2,600 tons of uranium from Uzbekistan
South Korea signed a contract on May 12, 2008, to purchase 2,600 tons of uranium worth 400 million U.S. dollars from Uzbekistan between 2010 and 2016, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported.
South Korea consumes about 4,000 tons of uranium each year. It has been importing uranium mostly from Australia, Canada, Kazakhstan, the United States and France, Yonhap said.
(People's Daily May 12, 2008))
South Korea signs deal with Uzbekistan for uranium deliveries
According to official Uzbek news agency UzA, the Uzbek and South Korean prime ministers have signed an agreement to ship Uzbek uranium ore concentrate to South Korea. According to South Korean news agency Yonhap, the deal envisages that South Korea directly imports from Uzbekistan 300 tons of uranium per year between 2010 and 2014, while South Korea so far buys Uzbek uranium indirectly from U.S. companies.
(Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty Sep. 25, 2006)
Japan and Uzbekistan sign agreement for development of uranium industry
Japan and Uzbekistan have signed an agreement aimed at financing the
development of the uranium industry in the central Asian country.
The agreement was signed between the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and Uzbekistan's Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, Investment and Trade. The Japan Atomic Industrial Forum said the agreement was aimed at "expanding support" to the Uzbek uranium industry.
(NucNet 20 Sep 2006)
Uzbekistan will start supplying low-enriched [???] uranium for Japanese power stations in 2007, according to Nikolai Kucherskii, the director of the state-owned Navoi mining complex. About 300 tons of low-enriched uranium will be exported in 2007 to Japan via trading company Itochu Corp. (AP Nov. 3, 2006)
Korea Resources forms uranium joint venture in Uzbekistan
Korea Resources Corporation together with Goskomgeologiya (State Committee of Geology) agreed on the creation of a joint venture for the industrial development of the Dzhantuar uranium deposit, located in the center section of the desert Kyzyl Kum (Navoiyskaya region) and containing 7,154 t U and 19,000 t vanadium.
(GAZETA.KZ 8 Sep 2006)
Cogéma quits Sugraly project?
Cogéma has quit from a project with Navoi Mining & Metallurgical Complex (NMMC) to develop the Sugraly uranium deposit (38,000 tU, 44,813 tonnes U3O8), according to Kabar news agency. NMMC will start the project alone in October 2001. (WNA News Briefing 01.33, August 15, 2001)
However, Cogema said that it did not 'opt out' of the project in mid-2001. It made a positive field investigation of the project in 1988, but subsequent discussions with the Combinat (Navoi) 'did not lead to an agreement' and Cogema has had 'no further involvement with the project since the end of 1999'. (WNA News Briefing 01.40, Oct. 3, 2001)
Cogéma conducts feasibility study for Sugraly deposit
Cogéma, together with Duzbek Navoi, is conducting a feasibility study for the eventual exploitation of the Sugraly deposit (Les Echos 15 Oct 1998).
The deposit had been exploited by underground and in-situ leach mining between 1977 and 1994.
Vietnam plans to explore for uranium
On August 4, 2008, the Ministry of Industry and Trade announced plans to explore for precious stones, rare earths and uranium through 2020.
They are found mainly in northern and central regions like Son La, Yen Bai, Thanh Hoa, Bac Kan, Lam Dong and Binh Thuan.
It estimated demand for uranium to rise to 680 tons.
(Thanh Nien News Aug. 6, 2008)
Domestic uranium eyed for Vietnam's nuclear power plant
The Viet Nam Government is planning to source input materials for the nation's first nuclear energy plant domestically.
The nuclear plant is expected to begin operation in 2020.
The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources's Department of Geology and Minerals has recently completed a scheme on the survey and investigation of the nation's uranium reserves, said head of the department Tran Xuan Huong.
The Governmental decision of 2007 regulates the project on investigation and assessment of uranium reserves in Quang Nam's Nong Son District (the area estimated to have the richest reserves) and other potential areas, and sets targets for exploiting 8,000 tonnes of uranium octaoxide (U3O8) from Nong Son in two phases to 2020.
The geology and mineral department's primary investigations showed that uranium existed in various geological structures in Viet Nam, with the Northwest and Central regions having the most density, said Huong. Uranium ore in the Central region's gritstones have the most potential.
Initial exploration and research by the Radioactive and Rare Earth Geological Division under the Department of Geology and Minerals showed that geological conditions in Nong Son District in the central province of Quang Nam warrant further formal investigation.
Hung said the production cost of extracting 1kg of uranium from reserves in Nong Son is estimated to be lower than that from Cao Bang's Binh Duong and Lai Chau's Nam Xe districts in the North-western region.
According to the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources' publications, available figures and information estimate that uranium reserves in Viet Nam may be as large as hundreds of thousands of tonnes; however, specific and formal research and investigation remains limited.
(VNS May 30, 2008)
India to assist Vietnam with uranium ore processing technology
Among eight cooperation agreements signed by India and Vietnam is a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Department of Atomic Energy of India and the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam. The MoU envisages the study and evaluation of Uranium ore processing technology for Vietnamese uranium ores, among others.
(New Kerala July 6, 2007)
In Yemen, uranium prospection and/or exploration is being performed by
Cantex Mine Development Corp.
