| HOME WISE Uranium Project > Mining & Milling > Issues > |
(last updated 3 May 2013)

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
/ 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).
> See also: Greenland's zero-tolerance uranium policy
Off-shore refinery under consideration for Kvanefjeld rare earth - uranium project:
On Feb. 28, 2013, Greenland Minerals and Energy Ltd announced that it is investigating the potential of establishing the refinery for its Kvanfjeld project outside of Greenland. The company is finalising a study for the establishment of a 3 million tonne per year mine and mineral concentrator in Greenland and expects to complete the studies for an off-shore refinery during 2013. The establishment of a refinery overseas will mean a smaller project footprint in Greenland.
On Mar. 26, 2013, Greenland Minerals and Energy Ltd announced the completion of a Mine and Concentrator Study. The mine and concentrator (flotation circuit) will produce a high-grade REE-uranium mineral concentrate, along with zinc (6,180 tpa) and fluorspar by-products (8,865 tpa). The REE-uranium mineral concentrate containing 14% total rare earth oxides (REO) and 0.24% uranium oxide (U3O8) will then be treated in a dedicated refinery to produce 23,000 tpa of high purity mixed rare earth hydroxide, and 1.1 Mlbs U3O8 (423 t U). The incremental cost of recovering the uranium is less than US$ 37/lb U3O8. Following expansion to 6 Mtpa the uranium unit production costs drop to less than US$ 31/lb U3O8.
Greenland Minerals obtains full ownership of Kvanefjeld rare earth - uranium project: On Aug. 6, 2012, Greenland Minerals and Energy Ltd announced that it has finalised an agreement with Westrip Holdings and Rimbal Pty Ltd to complete the acquisition for the outstanding 39% of the exploration license (EL 2010/02) that contains the Kvanefjeld, Sørensen and Zone 3 deposits, with an equity-based transaction.
Positive Prefeasibility Study announced for Kvanefjeld rare earth - uranium project: On May 4, 2012, Greenland Minerals and Energy Ltd announced that the "Kvanefjeld Prefeasibility Study confirms a long-life, cost competitive rare earth element - uranium project".
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.
Former Greenland premier becomes chairman of mining company that plans to extract uranium in Greenland:
Former Greenland premier Lars-Emil Johansen is new chairman of the Australian mining company Greenland Minerals and Energy Ltd
that will extract rare earth metals in Kvanefjeld. This mining is only possible with uranium by-product extraction.
(Sermitsiaq avis July 2, 2009)
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)
> Download: Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement for the Kvanefjeld Uranium Mine
, by
Kim Pilegaard, Risø National Laboratory, Roskilde, Denmark, Risø-M-2875,
September 1990, 138 p. (3.3MB PDF)
[This report was prepared in 1983 as part of the documentation for the Kvanefjeld Uranium Project funded by the Danish Ministry of Commerce. It covers a mining and milling operation solely for uranium.]


The following companies are performing uranium prospection and/or exploration in Hungary: Whildhorse Energy
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
Opposition to uranium mining in Poland: Powiedz Nie dla Kopalni Uranu w Sudetach

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.
Feasibility study to be resumed for uranium mining in the East Carpathian Mountains: The capacity for radioactive ore explotation that National Company of Uranium (CNU) wants to build in the Carpatii Orientali (Neamt and Harghita county) will cost over 70 million euro, the General Manager of the company, Nicu Popa, stated for the NewsIn. At present, CNU wants to update the feasibility study initially made in 2004, and, once started, the construction of the exploitation capacity could be completed in five years. (ACT Media Aug. 20, 2009)
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)


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 Scoping Study announced for Salamanca 1 uranium mine project: On Nov. 29, 2012, Bereley Resources Ltd announced that a positive Scoping Study confirms the technical and economic viability of the Salamanca Project.
> Calculate Mine Feasibility
CSN orders decommissioning of Quercus uranium mill
> View here
Berkeley reaches agreement with ENUSA on uranium exploitation at Salamanca I project:
On July 24, 2012, Berkeley Resources Limited announced that it has reached agreement with Enusa Industrias Avanzadas S.A. ('ENUSA') on terms which provide the company with a 100% interest in select uranium resources within State Reserves held by ENUSA.
Under the agreement, Berkeley holds a 100% interest in, and the exploitation rights to, State Reserves 28 and 29 ('Addendum Reserves') whilst waiving its rights to mine in State Reserves where ENUSA has undertaken rehabilitation.
The Addendum Reserves include the substantial unmined Alameda deposit, the Villar
deposit and additional prospects. Total resources for the Addendum Reserves are currently estimated at 30.6 million pounds of contained U3O8 [11,769 t U] at an average grade of 465 ppm [0.0394% U] (at a lower cut-off grade of 200 ppm U3O8).
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.
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
).
Demonstration against uranium exploration and mining held in Oviken, Jämtland: On April 3, 2013, a demonstration against uranium exploration and mining was held in Oviken. (Östersunds Posten Apr. 3, 2013)
Activist receives award for opposition to uranium mining projects in Jämtland:
The Green Party of Jämtland awards an environmental prize every year and this year's winner is Diana Fernlund of Myrviken, who received the award for her opposition to the exploration and mining of uranium. A few years ago, she started the initiative No to uranium mining in Storsjöbygden
, in which she is chairman.
(Östersunds Posten Mar. 18, 2013)
New uranium exploration permit awarded in spite of protests of communities:
In spite of protests of communities Berg and Åre, Continental Precious Minerals was awarded another exploration permit for uranium in an area called Gåsloken. The permit covers 3,700 hectares and is located in the border area of the two communities.
(Östersunds Posten Aug. 8, 2012)
Berg community appealed the newly granted exploration licenses for areas Gåsloken and Brattholmen.
(Östersunds Posten Aug. 13, 2012)
Mayors of six communities call for companies to terminate uranium exploration:
The municipal councils of Åre, Östersund, Berg, Falköping, Tidaholm, and Skövde called on Continental Precious Minerals, Aura Energy and other uranium exploration companies to voluntarily terminate their exploratory drilling in the area.
The message is that it is wasted money because municipalities still will not allow uranium mining. In the case of uranium mining (other than for exploration), municipalities do have veto power.
(Östersunds Posten June 25, 2012, Svenska Dagbladet June 24, 2012)
> Download English translation of open letter of mayors, June 20, 2012
(PDF - Nejtilluranbrytning)
Åre municipality lost appeal against uranium exploration: The municipality's veto does not apply, thereby enjoying Australian mineral company Aura Energy clearance to test drilling for uranium in Marby in Åre municipality. The municipality appealed the decision on the grounds that the risk was that heavy metals such as uranium and nickel could end up in the Storsjön Lake. But the Environment Court does not consider the arguments but notes that the municipality's veto power does not include drilling. (Östersunds Posten June 21, 2012)
Court grants landowners' appeal against extension of uranium exploration permit in Jämtland: The administrative court in Luleå has granted the appeal of 11 landowners and canceled the extension of Aura Energy's exploration permit for uranium in an area of Berg and Östersund municipalities. In December 2010, the Mining Inspectorate (Bergsstaten) had extended the exploration permit (issued in 2007) until August 2013. (Östersunds Posten Feb. 14, 2012)
Court rejects municipal vetoes to uranium exploration in Jämtland: The Östersund Land and Environment Court rejects the municipality's appeal of the county administrative board's decision, which gives Aura Energy Sweden AB permission to test drill the exploration permit Häggån No. 1 in the Berg and Åre municipalities. The court finds that the exploration of uranium is not covered by the local government veto. It applies only to the mining of uranium. Berg and Åre municipalities may lodge an appeal at the Svea Court of Appeal within three weeks. (Östersunds Posten Feb. 6, 2012)
Municipality continues to appeal extension of exploration licenses in Oviken:
Berg Municipality continues to appeal the decision on extended exploration permits issued for continued uranium exploration in Oviken.
This time, the City has appealed the decisions in the areas of Mo, Hackåsen and Kämpdalen.
In a statement to the county of Norrbotten, about the exploration permit relating to Rörön in Oviken, the municipality maintains its previous 'no' and refers to the decision in principle regarding exploration and mining of uranium in Berg, the City Council took in 2007.
(Östersunds Posten Oct. 20, 2011)
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.
Areva selected as preferred strategic partner for Häggån uranium mine project: On Feb. 7, 2013, Aura Energy Ltd announced that it has entered into a binding Co-operation Agreement with Areva Mines SA (Areva). Under the terms of the Co-operation Agreement, Areva will undertake an agreed work program in relation to the project over an initial 4 month period. During the period of the Co-operation Agreement, Aura Energy Ltd and Areva will work in good faith to finalise a pre-feasibility study work program, and also conclude the terms of an Option Agreement and Joint Venture Agreement under which Areva may acquire an interest in the project.
"Global miner" interested in partnership to develop Häggån project: On Oct. 29, 2012, Aura Energy Ltd announced that it had received a second offer from another major uranium market participant (a "global miner") for a partnership to develop the Häggån deposit.
On Aug. 14, 2012, Aura Energy Ltd announced that it signed an Exclusivity Agreement with "a major uranium market participant", in respect of a potential strategic partnership for the Häggån uranium and polymetallic project in Sweden.
On May 29, 2012, Aura Energy Ltd announced that a Revised Scoping Study financial model prepared by independent consultants RMDSTEM confirms that the Häggån Project is financially robust.
On Feb. 7, 2012, Aura Energy Ltd
announced that a scoping study confirms the economic viability for a bioheap leach project at Häggån.
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:
Aurania Resources Ltd.
,
AuroVallis Sàrl
> View extra page

| HOME WISE Uranium Project > Mining & Milling > Issues > |