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(last updated 30 Jan 2012)
(Global 2000 - in German) · Download exhibition posters (1.8M PDF) (Österreichisches Ökologie Institut - in German)
The following companies are performing uranium prospection and/or exploration in
Belarus:
RUE Belgeo
The following companies are performing uranium prospection and/or exploration in Bulgaria:
Cambridge Mineral Resources plc ,
Kaboko Mining Ltd (formerly Uran Ltd, application), Bulgarian Mining Corporation Ltd
The following companies are performing uranium prospection and/or exploration in
the Czech Republic:
Kaboko Mining Ltd (formerly Uran Ltd)
Uranium mining in the Czech Republic is opposed by Calla ,
Strana Zelených Janův Důl ,
Naše Podještědí
(in Czech)
On Jan. 4, 2008, Uran Ltd announced that the Czech Ministry of Environment has declined Uran Ltd's Brzkov exploration license application. Uran Ltd has lodged an appeal against the decision.
currently sorts waste material derived from the Příbram mines through its ore crushing and sorting facility at Příbram to produce road gravel, after extraction of radioactive material which is currently treated as waste. Uran Limited has agreed with EcoInvest to carry out trial sorting of a 10,000 cubic metre parcel of waste rock to evaluate the potential for commercial production of a uranium-bearing concentrate.
Agreement in principle has been reached with state enterprise Diamo to toll treat any economic concentrates produced from sorting at Příbram, through Diamo's Rožná uranium plant.
· Naše Podještědí
(in Czech)
On Nov. 29, 2011, Uran Ltd announced a name change to Kaboko Mining Ltd .
On Oct. 13, 2011, Czech Environment Minister Tomáš Chalupa turned down an appeal of Urania Mining s.r.o. against a decision of Oct. 26, 2010, denying the opening of the Osečná-Kotel area for uranium prospection and exploration.
> Download Decision (754k PDF in Czech - Naše Podještědí)
Czech Environment Minister Martin Bursík turned down an appeal of Urania Mining s.r.o. against an earlier decision denying the exploration of the Osečná-Kotel uranium deposit. (MF Dnes Feb. 13, 2009)
On September 20, 2008, 200 people held a demonstration at Kotel at the occasion of the European Uranium Action Day .
On June 7, 2008, 300 people held a demonstration at Osečná against mining of the Osečná-Kotel uranium deposit near Liberec. (ČTK June 7, 2008)
The Czech Ministry of the Environment (MŽP) has denied requests by Urania Mining s.r.o. for the mining of uranium at Osečná-Kotel and Ploužnice near Liberec. The company has lodged appeals against the decisions.
(ČTK June 6, 2008)
The Czech Environment Ministry declared the Kotel municipality near Liberec a protected deposit area in which uranium could be mined, the Prima television station reported on Apr. 29, 2008. The deposit contains some 20,000 tonnes of uranium ore, worth billions of crowns. It was Diamo state company that applied that the uranium deposits in the Podještědí area be protected, Prima reported. "We do not plan mining at all," Diamo production deputy director Marian Boehm told Prima. People from local municipalities fear that uranium mining would further harm the environment and force them to move away. (Prague Daily Monitor Apr. 30, 2008)
On April 11, 2008, approximately 100 people gathered in Liberec in front of the local branch of the Environmental Ministry to protest against the securing of the Osečná-Kotel uranium deposit for future mining.
On Jan. 26, 2008, some 300 people gathered near Osečná for another demonstration against the securing of the Osečná-Kotel uranium deposit for future mining. "The Environment Ministry will probably make a decision on the declaration of a protected ore deposit by the end of February. However, neither plot owners, nor municipalities and their inhabitants have the right to participate in the proceedings and interfere in the process under the Communist era's mining law from 1988," protest organiser Josef Jadrný (Greens) explained. "A new law is only being prepared and we demand that the ministry's decision in the case be postponed by the time it takes effect," Jadrný added. (ČTK Jan. 26, 2008)
On Dec. 30, 2007, several hundred people held a demonstration at Osečná against the securing of the Osečná-Kotel uranium deposit for future mining. (ČTK Dec. 30, 2007)
State-owned company Diamo s.p. is attempting to secure the Osečná-Kotel uranium deposit for future open-pit mining. The deposit is located near the former Hamr uranium mine and Stráž uranium mill in North Bohemia. The surrounding communities are opposed to this move, since they are in the process of transforming the area into a recreational area and they are still dealing with the legacy of the large-scale uranium mining carried out during the Cold War era.
If the Environmental Ministry acknowledges the deposit as a "protected deposit", Diamo could start mining after conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment process. (Calla Nov./Dec. 2007)
/ Greenland 
The following companies are performing uranium prospection and/or exploration in Greenland:
Prime Minerals Ltd ,
Greenland Minerals and Energy Ltd ,
Ram Resources Ltd
Uranium mining in Greenland is being opposed by Earth Charter Narsaq, Narsami Uranisiornermut Naaggaartut (Association against uranium in Narsaq).
that will extract rare earth metals in Kvanefjeld. This mining is only possible with uranium by-product extraction.
(Sermitsiaq avis July 2, 2009)
believes mining companies should not be permitted to remove uranium from Greenland's underground, under any circumstances.
'Why should be spoil our nature and our people's health,' Aqqaluk Lynge told CBS News.
Greenland authorizes exploration of radioactive minerals at Kvanefjeld deposit:
Greenland Minerals and Energy A/S has now been authorized to investigate radioactive elements, the company announced, after the Department of Business and Employment changed the conditions for exploration.
Naalakkersuisut's decision means that Greenland Minerals and Energy has been authorized to apply for a use permit, including radioactive minerals, says the company.
The decision comes after Greenland Minerals and Energy has announced that the company can not complete the so-called feasibility studies of environmental, health, profitability and social impact without also including radioactive elements in the investigation.
In a press release the company acknowledges that the decision lies within the coalition Qoornoq agreement, which maintains the zero-tolerance policy.
The decision means that Greenland Minerals and Energy A/S can continue its planned activities in Narsaq in 2012 and 2013.
(Sermitsiaq Dec. 1, 2011)
On Aug. 2, 2011, Greenland Minerals and Energy Ltd announced that the Greenland government has approved the "Terms of Reference" for the Environmental and Social Impact Assessments on the Kvanefjeld project.
Greenland issues first exploration license for uranium as an accompanying mineral: On Dec. 14, 2010, Greenland Minerals and Energy Ltd announced "that it has received approval by the government of Greenland to fully evaluate the Kvanefjeld multi-element project, inclusive of radioactive elements (uranium). The permit has been issued in accordance with the recent amendment to the standard terms for exploration licenses in Greenland that creates a framework for the evaluation of mineral deposits that include uranium amongst other economic elements."
On Feb. 1, 2010, Greenland Minerals and Energy Ltd announced the receipt of positive interim pre-feasibility report for the Kvanefjeld rare earth/uranium deposit.
A Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) for the Kvanefjeld deposit is on-schedule for completion late in the third quarter, 2009. (Greenland Minerals and Energy June 19, 2009)
On Jan. 29, 2009, the Association for opponents of the mining of uranium-bearing minerals at Kvanefjeld was founded. Kalistat Lund was appointed president. (Sermitsiaq avis Jan. 30, 2009)
The following companies are performing uranium prospection and/or exploration in Finland:
Areva NC,
Agricola Resources plc ,
Belvedere Resources Ltd ,
Scandinavian Gold Prospecting AB ,
Yukon Resources Corp. ,
Cooper Minerals Inc. ,
Namura Finland Oy ,
Mawson Resources Ltd.,
For details, see: Ministry of Trade and Industry - Exploration for uranium (in Finnish) · Summary in English
For opposition to uranium exploration, see Uraaniton.org ,
Movement against uranium mining in North Karelia ,
Lapland movement against uranium ,
Northern finland's network against uranium mining and nuclear power
(in Finnish)
(Nuclear Network), a movement in northern Finland which opposes uranium mining and nuclear power.
(YLE Jan. 24, 2009)
to start producing and storing uranium in Harjavalta are progressing.
The ministries of Economic Development, of Transport, and of Environment have given their opinion on the company's plan for the Environmental Impact Assessment. (STUK) to produce and store up to 10,000 kilograms of uranium a year.
Most of the raw material comes from the mine in Talvivaara.
(YLE June 17, 2011)
(STUK), the uranium recovery process can be carried out so that the exposure of the environment and its inhabitants from radiation is very low. (in Finnish)
Talvivaara mine to stop waste water emissions into environment:
The Talvivaara nickel mine in Sotkamo said on Wednesday (Jan. 18) that it would stop all toxic emissions of water used in the mine's processes.
Emissions from the mine have been seen to cause considerable environmental damage to local waters.
In 2010 the waste water from the mine contained amounts of sulphates and manganese that considerably exceeded the maximum limits.
“Big changes in processes will take place within a couple of weeks”, says Veli-Matti Hilla, environment chief at the mine. However, he emphasises that it would be almost a year before the extraction of water from the local waterway and the discharge of waste water from the mine can stop completely.
The metal is extracted from the ore at the Talvivaara mine through a process called Bioheapleaching. The water used in the process is to be recycled in the future.
Talvivaara also promises to improve its dissemination of information to residents in the area.
In a blog opened on Wednesday, the mine's CEO Pekka Perä admits that “mistakes have been made, and we need to learn from them”.
On Wednesday Talvivaara was granted permission by the European Commission to extract uranium at the Sotkamo mine.
(Helsingin Sanomat Jan. 19, 2012)
Finnish police investigate Talvivaara Sotkamo mine's waste water discharge:
Finnish police are probing whether miner Talvivaara broke the law when discharging waste water with high levels of sodium, sulphate and manganese into lakes near its nickel mine in eastern Finland.
The police investigation could delay Talvivaara's plans to expand production and extract uranium as a by-product.
The authority overseeing Talvivaara's operations said waste water samples in 2010 showed that high concentrations of sulphate, sodium and manganese had turned a nearby freshwater lake salty.
(Reuters Nov. 14, 2011)
Talvivaara Sotkamo uranium byproduct project obtains government permission:
On June 15, 2011, the Finnish Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) announced that it has granted to Talvivaara Sotkamo Ltd permission under the Nuclear Energy Act for the recovery of uranium.
Cameco to finance construction of uranium byproduct plant at Talvivaara Sotkamo nickel/zinc mine and to buy uranium produced:
Cameco has signed two agreements to buy uranium produced at the Sotkamo nickel-zinc mine in eastern Finland owned by the Talvivaara Mining Company Plc.
Talvivaara plans to start construction of the uranium extraction circuit in the coming months and complete it in 2012.
Talvivaara expects production of uranium at the Sotkamo mine to be approximately 900,000 pounds (U3O8 equivalent) or 350 tU per year once the mine ramps up to full production.
Under the first agreement with Talvivaara, Cameco will provide an up-front investment, to a maximum of $60 million (US), to cover the construction cost of the uranium extraction circuit. Cameco's capital contribution will be repaid through the initial deliveries of uranium concentrates under the first agreement.
Once the capital is repaid, Cameco will purchase the uranium concentrates produced at Sotkamo through a second agreement that ends on December 31, 2027.
(Cameco Feb. 7, 2011)
Talvivaara applies for permit for by-product extraction of uranium at Sotkamo nickel/zinc mine:
On Apr. 20, 2010, Talvivaara Mining Company Plc announced that its operating subsidiary Talvivaara Sotkamo Ltd has lodged an application in accordance with the Nuclear Energy Act to the Ministry of Employment and Economy for the extraction of uranium as a by-product. Preparations for the environmental impact assessment relating to the uranium extraction process have also commenced at the mine site.
Finnish nickel/zinc miner plans uranium byproduct extraction:
Finnish nickel and zinc miner Talvivaara Mining Company Plc is planning to invest EUR 30 million to modify its current production processes to allow it to recover yellow cake, it announced on Tuesday (Feb. 9).
The company said that it was investigating the potential of recovering uranium intermediate, or yellow cake, which was found as a byproduct of other metals, from the orebodies it mined.
Currently, small concentrations of uranium were deposited in an engineered gypsum pond intended for process precipitations.
However, Talvivaara was planning to recover the uranium from its main leaching process by using a solvent extraction process.
Talvivaara was preparing the necessary documentation for permit applications and was holding talks with other companies regarding a possible cooperation agreement for the project. It would decide on a financing and operating model subsequent to concluding its discussions.
The production costs to extract the yellow cake would amount to about EUR 2 million a year, with an expected output of about 350 t/y.
(Mining Weekly Feb. 9, 2010)
Uranium grade in the ore is on the average 15-20 ppm (0.0015-0.0020%). Uranium concentration in the leach solution is low, approximately 25 mg/l, but sufficient for exploitation through the solvent extraction process developed by Talvivaara and its partners. Estimated capital expenditure is approx. EUR 30 million. The planned production will make Finland almost self- sufficient in uranium.
(Talvivaara Feb. 9, 2010)
The following companies are performing uranium prospection and/or exploration in Hungary: Whildhorse Energy
and Mecsekérc , Hungarian Government (State) owned entities responsible for uranium mining, exploration and rehabilitation activities within Hungary, with the express aim of working towards restarting uranium mining in the Mecsek Hills Uranium Project Area.
, a state owned privatised company, with the aim of restarting uranium mining in the Mecsek Hills, in southern Hungary.
The first stage of this cooperation is to complete a technical and economic review of the entire Mecsek Hills area. This work will include:
is concerned about plans to resume coal and uranium mining in the southern Mecsek mountains, minister Gabor Fodor told journalists.
The ministry would prefer businesses to turn their attention to opportunities in renewable energy, but if plans to re-open mines in this area turn serious, the ministry will be strict about the environmental licencing procedures, Fodor said.
The Australian-owned WildHorse Energy Hungary has plans to restart a uranium mining project in the Mecsek in 2010-2011.
(MTI Dec. 7, 2007)
On Aug. 3, 2007, WildHorse Energy Ltd announced that Eurash (a joint venture between WildHorse Energy and Sparton Resources) has signed an agreement with Bakonyi Erőmű Zrt (BEZ), the owner of large volumes of mining slag and fly ash as waste products from a coal fired power station at Ajka in western Hungary. The Ajka site contains several heaps of ash, totalling close to 20 million tonnes of material. Measurements of these heaps between 1992 and 1995 indicate that U3O8 grades ranged between 94 and 152 ppm [0.0080 - 0.0129% U] in the ash, and between 33 and 137 ppm [0.0028 - 0.0116% U] in cinders.
Eurash plans to evaluate the uranium content of the ash as well as other metals in the mining slag, with a view to developing a project to recover and process the uranium and other metals.
WildHorse Energy Limited and Sparton Resources Inc. have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to identify and evaluate the possibility of extracting commercial quantities of uranium from waste coal ash generated by many large central European power stations which burn high uranium content lignitic or brown coals.
Wildhorse has already started evaluating one specific opportunity in Hungary. Analyses on this material done between 1992 and 1995 indicate the ash contains between 90 and 150 ppm U3O8 [0.0076 - 0.0127% U].
Sparton already is evaluating a similar project in Yunnan Province, China.
(Wildhorse/Sparton May 24, 2007; MiningNews Net May 25, 2007)
Uranium mining in Italy is opposed by Legambiente Lombardia
On Sep. 20, 2006, Italian environmentalists vowed to oppose a project to extract uranium at Novazza in the Seriana valley in the northern region of Lombardy, saying it could cause radioactive contamination of the area.
Australia-listed exploration company Metex Resources Ltd. said earlier this week it wanted to explore 300 hectares in the mountains some 85 km northeast of Milan.
Uranium was first discovered in the region in the 1960s, but has never been commercially exploited.
Metex has started a process to gain the necessary permits for the US$150 million project.
Lombardy's regional government is evaluating the project.
Andrea Poggio, head of the Legambiente environmental action group for the Lombardy region told Reuters: "We are very angry that they have not informed local people...We are strongly opposed to it."
Poggio said the project presented two main threats: possible radioactive contamination of the valley through rain and mountain springs which can spread radioactive elements from ore once it is extracted, and the radioactive gas radon which accompanies mine works.
Legambiente plans to discuss the project on Sep. 28, 2006, with local authorities and residents of the area.
(Reuters Sep. 21, 2006; Legambiente)
Film: Uranium Project , by Stefania Prandi and Alan Gard, 45 minutes, 2011 (in Italian)
[about opposition to uranium mining at Novazza]
> Watch trailer: URANIUM PROJECT - Presentazione (Youtube - in Italian)
The following companies are performing uranium prospection and/or exploration in Macedonia, Former Yugoslav Republic: Universal Mining Investments Macedonia (Perth, WA)
The following companies are performing uranium prospection and/or exploration in Poland:
European Resources Pty Ltd ,
Whildhorse Energy
(Jelonka) · video by Ellen Röhner (Youtube)
to apply for permission to search for uranium deposits in the area between Kopaniec and Kromnów near Jelenia Góra in southwestern Poland. The protest of local people joined the eco-activists and students from abroad who are just in the nearby resort Nemo Foundation.
At Kopaniec, there still exists an abandoned deposit of 3,500 cubic metres of dangerous wastes from mining in the 1960s.
(Jelonka, NJ24, Oct. 13, 2011) (No uranium mine in the Municipality of Stara Kamienica! - in Polish)
, Ministry of Economy, Government Commissioner for Nuclear Power, Warsaw, January 2011, 126 p. (1.9MB PDF - English version, from Finnish Ministry of Environment), 513 p. (17.4MB PDF - English version, from German Ministry of Environment)
plans to resume uranium exploration around the former Kopaniec uranium mine site near Jelenia Góra in Southwestern Poland. and download related documents (in Polish)
The following companies are performing uranium prospection and/or exploration in Portugal: Berkeley Resources Ltd
Uranium mining in Nisa is being opposed by Movimento Urânio em Nisa, Não (MUNN) , Quercus .
> view Quercus statement: "Quercus against approval of uranium mine in Nisa: environmental and public health hazards inadequately evaluated" (July 24, 1999)
The following companies are performing uranium prospection and/or exploration in Romania:
Valhalla Resources Ltd.
The National company of uranium (CNU) will resume the feasibility study for the new capacity for the exploitation of radioactive ores, from the Oriental Carpathian Mountains, study to have been made initially in 2004, the general manager of CNU Iosif Moldovan said .
"The importance of this project is the supply with natural uranium necessary to the functioning of units in Cernavoda and the development of the National Nuclear Programme. In Romania, there are no other projects, CNU is the only company in the domain" Iosif Moldovan said.
(ACT Media Mar 19, 2009)
> View extra page
The following companies are performing uranium prospection and/or exploration in Slovakia: Tournigan Energy Ltd.,
Ultra Uranium Corp. ,
GB Energy Ltd ,
GBE Exploration Pty Ltd ,
Crown Energy s.r.o. ,
Koral s.r.o. ,
Central European Metals s.r.o.
Uranium mining in Slovakia is opposed by Greenpeace Slovakia , Friends of the Earth Slovakia , Sosna and Brečtan.
On Sep. 23, 2009, representatives of four environmental non-governmental organizations (Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth, OZ Sosna and OZ Brečtan) handed 113,488 signatures over to the National Council of the Slovak Republic. (Greenpeace Slovakia Sep. 23, 2009)
Parliament is expected to deal with a petition against uranium mining, the spokesperson for Greenpeace in Slovakia, Lucia Szabová, told the TASR newswire on Monday, November 2. "As the verification of signatures in Parliament confirmed that the petition was supported by more than 100,000 Slovak citizens, it will be included in the December parliamentary session and the committees' programme," said Szabová. "The petition against the planned uranium mining is the biggest environmental petition in Slovak history," said the director of Greenpeace in Slovakia, Juraj Rizman, adding that it is also the first case in which Slovak environmental organisations have been able to have their issues discussed by Parliament. In addition to 113,000 citizens, the petition has also been supported by 41 local authorities from areas between Nové Mesto nad Váhom in Trencín Region and Zemplín in Košice Region. (Slovak Spectator Nov. 3, 2009)
On Jan. 4, 2012, Tournigan announced that, on closing a private placement, Areva now owns 6.9% of the issued common shares of Tournigan.
Tournigan will enter into a Technical Services Agreement with Areva to perform a work program comprising metallurgical and environmental test work to be part of the Kurišková feasibility study.
Tournigan expects its prefeasibility study on the Kurišková deposit, being prepared by Tetra Tech, Inc. of Golden, Colorado, to be completed early in 2012 and plans to begin work on the feasibility study shortly thereafter.
(Tournigan Dec. 7, 2011)
According to information obtained by Greenpeace Slovakia, Tournigan plans to start the licensing process for the Kurišková uranium mine project in the second half of 2010, after completion of the preliminary feasibility study. (Greenpeace Slovakia Mar. 1, 2010)
On Oct. 19, 2009, Tournigan Energy Ltd. announced that it has awarded Tetra Tech, Inc. of Golden, Colorado a contract for the preparation of an NI 43-101 compliant prefeasibility study of the Kurišková uranium deposit in eastern Slovakia. The work will begin immediately with its results expected to be completed in the first half of 2010.
On Oct. 1, 2009, Tournigan announced that drilling has resumed on its Kurišková uranium deposit. The initial drill program will comprise about 5,000 metres of step-out and infill drilling intended to expand and upgrade the Kurišková uranium resource.
On June 25, 2009, Tournigan announced the receipt of a positive Preliminary Assessment on its Kuriškova uranium deposit. However, compared to the 2006 Economic Study, mining cost has increased more than threefold.
On May 28, 2009, the City of Košice and the Košice self-governing region (KSK) announced to take joint action to prevent the possible mining of uranium at Jahodná - Kurišková: they want to achieve the revocation of the status of a "protected deposit". Currently, exploration work is done there by Ludovika Energy, a subsidiary of the Canadian company Tournigan. (SITA May 28, 2009)
On March 17, 2009, Tournigan Energy Ltd. announced that the company has commissioned an NI 43-101 compliant preliminary assessment (scoping study) of its Kurišková uranium deposit in eastern Slovakia. The work is to commence immediately with its results expected to be completed by June 2009.
> See also: Slovak NGOs file complaint with EC over reductions of their role
On February 2, 2007, Greenpeace held a protest action against the Jahodná uranium mine project at the Tournigan Gold Corp. annual meeting in Vancouver.
> View details (in Slovak)
On November 2, 2006, Greenpeace handed the first 16,000 signatures for a petition against uranium mining in Slovakia over to the Ministry of Environment.
On October 14, 2006, the city council of Košice adopted a resolution against uranium mining.
On April 27, 2006, Tournigan Gold Corporation announced that it had received a positive Economic Study for the Jahodná uranium deposit.
The following companies are performing uranium prospection and/or exploration in Spain: Berkeley Resources Ltd, Areva NC, Mawson Resources Ltd.
On March 24, 2009, the Council of Government of the region Castilla-La Mancha approved a decree that prohibits the exploration of the Mazarete uranium deposit, which will prevent any future commercial mining of the mineral at the site. The Council thus blocks the possibility opened in February by the central Government. The administrative preparations for the exploration at Aragoncillo I and II continue as planned, however. (Ecologistas en Acción de Guadalajara March 25, 2009)
The Spanish Cabinet has lifted the exclusive right for ENUSA (granted in July 1987) to explore and mine for uranium in the "Mazarete Guadalajara" area, located in the north of the province of Guadalajara. The lifting paves the way for the intentions of Minera de Río Alagón S.L, a subsidiary of Berkeley Resources Ltd, that in October 2008 presented two exploration projects for 13 towns of the territory in the Sierra de Aragoncillo, where test pits were already realised in the 1980's. (Blanca Corrales Feb. 20, 2009)
Positive Preliminary Feasibility Study announced for Salamanca 1 uranium mine project: On Jan. 30, 2012, Berkeley Resources Ltd announced a positive Preliminary Feasibility Study for Stage 1 (mining of the Retortillo and Santidad deposits) of its Salamanca 1 uranium project. The ore will be processed by heap leaching, and the ripios (spent ore) will be backfilled into "lined and isolated areas" previously mined within the pit.
> Calculate Mine Feasibility
Licensing and permitting processes initiated for development of two deposits within the Salamanca 1 uranium project:
On Oct. 13, 2011, Berkeley Resources Ltd announced that on 11th October it initiated the licensing and permitting processes for development of the Retortillo and Santidad deposits within the Salamanca 1 uranium project. These deposits will be the first to be developed in a program focussed on, Berkeley's 100% owned resources.
Salamanca 1 will now be developed as a stand-alone project which will be completely independent of the Company's joint venture with ENUSA, also within the Salamanca Province.
An initial scoping study for the Salamanca 1 uranium project indicates robust
economics, at an initial production rate of around 1.5 million pounds of U3O8 [577 t U] per annum.
The process will utilise on-off pad, biological heap leaching, which is particularly
amenable to the ore type, and to the region and its climate. A preliminary feasibility study is scheduled for completion by year end.
Shares in Berkeley Resources plunged on uncertainty surrounding its proposed joint venture with Enusa for the company's Salamanca uranium project in Spain. Enusa has expressed concerns about the feasibility of the project following Berkeley's submission of a feasibility study. Berkeley maintains the study, prepared by it and its consultants and representing about half of the presently defined mineral resource, confirms the feasibility of the project. (The West Australian May 25, 2011)
The echo of the explosions in the nuclear reactors of Fukushima in Japan has arrived at Salamanca. The plans to restart uranium mining in the zone of Saelices El Chico from 2012 are delayed. This was confirmed by the Australian company Berkeley Resources. (El País May 2, 2011)
On Apr. 29, 2011, Berkeley Resources announced that it is now anticipated that the Feasibility Study for the entire Salamanca Uranium Project will be completed by mid 2012.
On Dec. 14, 2010, Berkeley Resources announced its intention to reopen the uranium operation in Salamanca. The company affirmed in an official notice that it will request the permissions to reopen the mine, for which it must create a company with a 10% interest held by the national uranium company (Enusa) and pay 20 million Euros. According to Berkeley Resources, its plan of operation "guarantees the economic yield of the uranium project in Salamanca". (El País Dec. 15, 2010)
Berkeley Resources Limited is in negotiations with Russian steel maker Severstal over a potential takeover offer by Severstal, Berkeley Resources said on Friday (Oct. 29).
(RIA Novosti Oct. 29, 2010)
> see also: Decommissioning of Quercus uranium mill deferred in expectation of restart
On Aug. 10, 2010, Berkeley Resources Limited announced that it has entered into a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Korea Electric Power Corporation ('KEPCO'), to finance and develop the Salamanca Uranium Project. KEPCO will invest, at the Project level only, US$ 70 million for a 35% interest in Berkeley's Salamanca Uranium Project, which comprises of Aguila, Alameda, Retortillo and Villar mining areas. KEPCO will also contribute funding of 35% for the development of the Salamanca Uranium Project assets to bring them into production as well as ongoing operating expenditure.
On Dec. 2, 2009, Berkeley Resources Limited announced that the Scoping Study undertaken on its Salamanca Uranium Project has strongly demonstrated the technical and economic viability of the Project. The project would include the re-commissioning of the Quercus uranium mill.
On Feb. 14, 2008, Berkeley Resources Ltd announced a positive Scoping Study for its Salamanca I project.
The following companies are performing uranium prospection and/or exploration in Sweden:
Svenska Skifferolje AB,
Mawson Resources Ltd.,
Hodges Resources Ltd ,
Continental Precious Minerals Inc.,
Beowulf Mining plc ,
Energy Ventures plc,
Nordic Diamonds Ltd. ,
Aura Energy Ltd ,
Sino King Enterprise Investment Ltd (Hongkong),
Sagacity Holdings Ltd,
Trans Atlantic Metals AG ,
All Star Minerals plc ,
IGE Nordic AB ,
Energy Ventures Ltd ,
Norrsken Energy Limited ,
Goldsearch Ltd ,
Mercer Gold Corp. ,
Uranium Prospects Plc
For opposition to uranium mining in Sweden, see:
Nej till uranbrytning (in Swedish)
In 2006, Svenska Skifferolje AB, Mawson Resources Ltd., and Continental Precious Minerals Inc. applied for prospecting rights in a large area covering most of the cambrium silur triangle of Billingen - Ålleberg - Gerumsberget. The Mining Inspectorate received massive protests from the County Administration of Västergötland , all affected cities, as well as from farmers and other organisations. The applications were all turned down.
In May 2005, Svenska Skifferolje AB applied for prospecting rights in Skaraborg. After massive local protests, the application was turned down by the Mining Inspectorate of Sweden (Bergsstaten ).
Group appeals uranium exploration license granted in Oviken, Jämtland:
The County Board last week allowed Continental Precious Minerals to explore a land area of Oviken for uranium. The decision will now be appealed by the Association Nej till uran i Storsjöbygden (No to uranium in Storsjöbygden).
(Sveriges Radio Oct. 10, 2011)
Berg Municipality opposes the extension of the uranium exploration permits granted to Continental Precious Minerals Inc. in Oviken. The municipality has appealed the decision of the Mining Inspectorate of Sweden (Bergsstaten ).
(Östersunds Posten Sep. 20, 2011)
Krokom Municipality has appealed a decision of administrative law that extended the authorization to Aura Energy Ltd for drilling in Åre and Krokom municipalities. Both municipalities had appealed the Mining Inspectorate's decision to extend the time for test drilling, but were not retained in the Board of Auditors.
But Krokom municipality has gone ahead and appealed to the administrative court. The municipality believes that it is a fundamentally important issue, since the area where test drilling to take place is of national interest for the reindeer industry, national interest for outdoor recreation and national interest for outdoor activities. Krokom municipality also refers to the regional environmental objectives adopted in 2006 stipulating that no uranium mining will occur in Jämtland county.
(Länstidningen Östersund March 16, 2011)
Around 30 persons held a demonstration in Östersund against uranium exploration by Mawson Resources Ltd. in Rörvattnet. (Östersunds Posten Apr. 7, 2007)
Protests were held at the Kläppibäcken site, where Mawson Resources started drilling for uranium exploration. (Länstidningen i Östersund March 27, 2007)
During a meeting held in Hotagen (Jämtland), residents strongly opposed uranium exploration in the area. (Östersunds Posten Oct. 13, 2006)
The community of Krokom (Jämtland) has decided to appeal Länsstyrelsen's decision to permit uranium exploration by Mawson Resources Ltd. in the area. The decision was also appealed by the Jovnevaeri sameby (Sami Village). (Östersunds Posten Oct. 12, 2006)
On Oct. 10, 2006, Mawson Resources Ltd. announced that the Company has been granted permission to drill the Tåsjö and Kläppibäcken uranium projects in Jämtland, Sweden.
On Sept. 13, 2010, Continental Precious Minerals Inc. announced positive results from the preliminary economic assessment ("PEA") (also called a scoping study) on its MMS Viken Licence and surrounding licences in Sweden.
The following companies are performing uranium prospection and/or exploration in Switzerland: AuroVallis Sàrl (Nendaz, VS)
General · Gurevskoye · Novokonstantinovskoye · Surskoye
The following companies are performing uranium prospection and/or exploration in Ukraine:
Vostochny Uranium Ore Mining,
Kaboko Mining Ltd (formerly Uran Ltd),
United Uranium Corp. ,
Star Uranium Corp.
In April 1995, the Ukrainian government approved a nuclear fuel industry plan, scheduling a threefold increase of uranium production by the year 2003.
At present, uranium is being mined in the Ingul'skii and Vatutinskii mines near Kirovograd. The ore is processed in the Zholtiye Vody and Dniprodzerzhynsk mills. There is no official data available on the Ukrainian uranium production. The OECD estimate for the production in 1992 is 1000 tonnes of uranium.
Ukraine starts commercial mining of uranium at Novokonstantinovskoye field:
The Eastern mining-and-processing integrated works (Zhovti Vody, Dnipropetrovsk region) has started commercial mining of uranium ore at the Novokonstantinovskoye field in Kirovohrad region, Ukrainian News has learned from a well-informed source.
In his words, commercial mining began in June.
A spokesman for the Eastern GOK confirmed this information to the agency, having specified that commercial development started on June 26.
Accompanying mining of uranium ore at the Novokonstantinovskoye field started in 2008.
As Ukrainian News earlier reported, the integrated works has plans to make some 170 tons of uranium concentrate from the ore mined at the field in 2011.
(Ukrainian News Agency July 4, 2011)
Ukraine plans to develop the Novokostiantynivske uranium field (Kirovohrad region) without Russia's participation, Rosatom Director General Sergey Kiriyenko said. (Ukrainian Journal May 25, 2011)
Kiev is in talks with Moscow on joint uranium extraction in Ukraine, Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said Wednesday (July 28). "We have been holding and are holding very serious talks with Russia on construction of a plant" at the Novokonstantinovskoye uranium deposit in the Kryvyi Rih region of central Ukraine, Azarov said. (Moscow Times July 29, 2010)
Ukrainian President confirms ban on privatization of Novokostiantynivske uranium ore field: Ukrainian President Victor Yushchenko has signed a law putting the Novokostiantynivske uranium ore field onto the list of state companies that are not subject to privatization, reads a Dec. 1 posting on the president's Web site. The law on amendments to the law on the list of statement-run companies that are not subject to privatization was adopted by the Ukrainian parliament on Oct. 21 and comes into effect from the moment of its publication. (Kyiv Post Dec. 1, 2009)
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has endorsed the Nuclear Fuel of Ukraine state program, says Natalia Shumkova, deputy minister of fuel and energy. She says in 2009 - 2013 it is planned to build on the basis of the Novokostiantyniv deposit a hydrometallurgical plant for the processing of uranium ore with a waste storage, launch the production of fuel assemblies, and create a full cycle of zirconium production, including production of tubular steel. In April 2008, the government set up the Nuclear Fuel concern based on the Eastern ore mining and dressing plant, the Novokostiantyniv uranium mine, state-run company Smoly, the Dnipropetrovsk works of precision pipes, and the Ukrainian scientific research, design and exploration institute of industrial technologies. (NRCU Sep. 25, 2009)
Ukraine is to begin operating an industrial unit to develop the Novokonstantinovskoye uranium ore deposit with Russia's corporate participation primarily to secure the needs of domestic nuclear power plants. The move is envisioned as an revised version of a development strategy for Ukraine's atomic energy sector for the period until 2030. It has already been submitted to the government for consideration. The document envisions starting to develop the lower levels and continuing to develop the Vatutinsky and Michurinsky uranium deposits and other such fields with the corporate participation of domestic and foreign investors primarily to replenish the state reserves of uranium concentrate and to sell excess amounts. (Interfax Aug. 20, 2007)
Ukraine has decided to begin development of the Novokonstantinovskoye uranium field in the Kirovograd Region, according to the regional administration's press office. More than USD 280 million has already been allocated for the purpose, the office said.
At the same time, local environmentalists have questioned the wisdom of the go-ahead, pointing to extremely high numbers of oncology cases associated with the uranium deposits. They are demanding that the region be declared an ecological disaster area.
(ROSBALT March 30, 2004)
and SE VostGOK regarding the proposed joint development of two sedimentary-hosted uranium deposits located in the country's eastern region.
Subject to completion of a positive feasibility study, it is expected to lay the
foundations for Uran's transition to uranium production during 2007. The agreement covers the Surskoye and Gurevskoye uranium deposits, which are
located in eastern Ukraine between Dnipropetrovsky and Zheltye Vody which is the site of VostGOK's uranium processing operations.
by Sir Peter Maxwell Davies in their service because it featured in Charles and Camilla's 2005 blessing. - a protest against plans to mine uranium ore in Orkney.
It has been chosen as well as his Veni Creator Spiritus, and will be played by the London Chamber Orchestra as members of the Royal Family and other VIPs take their seats.
A St James's Palace spokesman said the royal couple had chosen it as "a personal touch and an acknowledgement of William's father and the Duchess of Cornwall".
[...]
(Press and Journal Apr. 29, 2011)
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