New Uranium Mining Projects - Europe
(last updated 5 Mar 2010)
Contents:
Exhibition: The Return of Uranium Mining to Europe
On Nov. 5, 2008, the Austrian NGO Global 2000 opened an exhibition in Vienna warning of the return of uranium mining to Europe.
> View Global2000 release Nov. 5, 2008 
(Global 2000 - in German)
> View details · Download exhibition posters (1.8M PDF) (Österreichisches Ökologie Institut - in German)
The following companies are performing uranium prospection and/or exploration in Bulgaria:
Cambridge Mineral Resources plc ,
Uran Ltd (application)
Russia considers mining uranium in Bulgaria
Russia is considering mining
uranium in Bulgaria after its nuclear services exporter won a tender to build
a power plant outside Sofia, a senior nuclear official said on Nov. 8, 2006.
Russia's newly-formed uranium production company will study the issue.
"If the recently established Uranium Mining Company carries out the
economic study together with Bulgarian colleagues, and uranium production
proves to be economically attractive, the project will be launched," said Pyotr
Lavrenyuk, vice president of Russia's nuclear fuel producer and supplier
TVEL.
The TVEL company and the state-owned uranium trader Tekhsnabexport
(Tenex) merged into the Uranium Mining Company on November 2, 2006, to
develop uranium deposits inside and outside Russia, and import uranium.
The TVEL official said the company already imported uranium from other
east European countries, including the Czech Republic.
(RIAN Nov. 8, 2006)
Cameco interested in Bulgaria's uranium production
Canadian Cameco corporation was interested in the eventual restoring of
uranium production in Bulgaria, Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) reported.
Uranium production in Bulgaria ceased in 1992, BNR said.
Bulgaria's uranium deposits reach nearly 12,000 tons, BNR said. The
amount would be enough to supply resources for nuclear energy production
in Bulgaria for the next 20 to 30 years.
(Sofia Echo Sep. 12, 2006)
Bulgaria considers re-opening of uranium mines
In its final report, the Bulgarian-Russian intergovernmental commission for
economic co-operation recommended the re-opening of uranium mines in
Bulgaria.
If the mines were re-opened, Russia would use the extracted ore to produce
cheaper nuclear fuel for the Kozlodui nuclear power plant, 24 Chassa
reported. The Russian corporation TVEL, the provider of nuclear fuel for
Bulgaria, said it might reduce prices and recommended that Bulgaria should
start exploring re-opening possibilities as soon as possible.
(Sofia Echo May 26, 2006)
The following companies are performing uranium prospection and/or exploration in
the Czech Republic:
Uran Ltd
Uranium mining in the Czech Republic is opposed by Calla ,
Strana Zelených Janův Důl ,
Naše Podještědí
Updated Czech Energy Concept promotes resumption of uranium mining
The Updated Czech Energy Concept released by the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade (MPO) on Oct. 13, 2009, calls for the resumption of uranium mining in the Czech republic "to enhance energy security, self-sufficiency and keep the energy import dependency at an acceptable level".
> View MPO release / download Energy Concept (in Czech)
The current policy, on the contrary, foresees the shutdown of the last uranium mine at Rožná within three years.
On Apr. 23, 2008, a Czech town council turned down an Australian mining company's call that it be allowed to launch exploration for reserves of uranium in return for a cash windfall.
Přibyslav councillors rejected an offer from Australian company Uran Ltd for it to be allowed to explore what are believed to be rich uranium deposits in the centre of the country, the ČTK news agency reported.
The Australian company offered 800,000 koruna (31,000 euros, 46,300 US dollars) a year while exploration work continued and 1.6 million koruna a year when commercial mining commenced. It wanted council backing in order to overturn previous environment ministry rejections of its exploration bids.
Přibyslav was one of the company's main targets because around 7,500 tonnes of uranium is believed to be present at nearby Brzkov.
(AFP Apr. 23, 2008)
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.
On July 24, 2007, Uran Ltd announced that trial sorting of waste rock produced from the former Příbram uranium mines is planned to commence in early August 2007.
Over 80,000 tonnes of U3O8 was produced from Příbram underground mines between 1957 and 1984. Ore and waste rock were crushed underground during mining at Příbram, and about 60 million tonnes of crushed waste rock were deposited in a number of surface dumps around Příbram.
Historical records suggest that two of these dumps, each of about 5 million tonnes, may contain elevated levels of uranium due to sorting procedures at the time.
Czech company EcoInvest s.r.o. 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.
> View decommissioning issues
Diamo submits proposal for restart of uranium mining at historic mine site of Stráž pod Ralskem
State-owned company Diamo s.p. has supplied the Czech Ministry of Economics with a proposal to restart uranium mining at Stráž pod Ralskem in North Bohemia, where currently the vast legacy of historic acid in-situ leach uranium mining is being dealt with (view details). Mining methods under consideration include underground mining and ... in-situ leaching. So far, Czech government policy has been to shut down uranium mining (currently only being performed at Rožná) sooner or later.
(Hospodářské noviny Feb. 2, 2009)
> View deposit info
> See also: Strana Zelených Janův Důl · Naše Podještědí
(in Czech)
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)
The following companies are performing uranium prospection and/or exploration in Greenland:
Prime Minerals Ltd ,
Greenland Minerals and Energy Ltd ,
Hudson Resources Inc.
Uranium mining in Greenland is being opposed by Earth Charter Narsaq,
Narsami Uranisiornermut Naaggaartut (Association against uranium in Narsaq).
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)
New government of Greenland upholds ban on by-product extraction of uranium
Naalakkersuisut's (Greenlandic Government's) uranium policy is unchanged and thus not any decision has been taken on changing the zero-tolerance which has been in existence since the 1980s, premier Kuupik Kleist said. This means that some projects can not be implemented because of the high by-product content of uranium.
(Sermitsiaq avis June 24, 2009)
Greenland parliament allows by-product recovery of uranium
A majority in parliament agreed to support the extraction of uranium as a by-product from mines where other minerals are the primary target.
Siumut, Atassut and the Democrats all support easing the country's 20-year-old 'zero tolerance' policy regarding uranium mining. Inuit Ataqatigiit and Kattusseqatigiit are both opposed to the proposal.
(Sermitsiaq avis Nov. 27, 2008)
Inuit advocate against uranium mining in Greenland
Greenland's environment should come before profits from mining, a leading Inuit spokesperson told American broadcaster CBS.
The president of the Inuit Circumpolar Council in Greenland 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.
The Greenlandic and Danish parliaments banned uranium mining over two decades ago, but the question has arisen after some mining companies requested permission to extract uranium obtained during the mining of other types of metals.
Lynge said that with the intensifying hunt for natural resources in the Arctic meant the country needed to be careful not to get caught up by dreams of quick riches.
'We're in the same situation Arctic peoples in Alaska and Canada have already been through. We need to be careful with our environment, especially since climate change could change much of it.'
(Sermitsiaq avis July 31, 2008)
Southern Greenland: uranium mining vs. World Heritage
Greenland's Home Rule government is facing a difficult decision these days. It must decide whether it wants to place southern Greenland on UNESCO's World Heritage list or allow uranium mining.
MPs are pushing for Southern Greenland to be designated by UNESCO for its 1000 years of agriculture dating back to the time of Eric the Red. But mining for the wealth of minerals - including Uranium - in the area would preclude that designation.
Large areas around Narsaq and Qaqortoq were included in the World Heritage bid, which unleashed protests from interested parties because the Raw Materials Directorate had already issued numerous drilling licences within those areas.
Now the Home Rule government is proposing that only five small 'islands' be included as World Heritage site possibilities to avoid the mining conflict.
(Sermitsiaq avis July 4, 2008)
> View deposit info
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)
Demonstrations in Helsinki and Tampere against uranium mining in Lapland
Protesters gathered in Helsinki and Tampere on Thursday (Aug. 13) to lend support to residents of Ranua, in Finnish Lapland, who oppose plans for uranium mining in the area.
The French energy group Areva has filed an application with the Ministry Employment and the Economy for a uranium mining claim at Ranua, just south of Rovaniemi. If granted, the claim would allow Areva to carrying out prospecting in the area.
Police report that the demonstrations were peaceful, gathering a dozen people in Tampere and around 40 in Helsinki.
(YLE Aug. 13, 2009)
Hundreds protest in Helsinki against nuclear power and uranium mining
A few hundred protesters gathered in downtown Helsinki Saturday (Apr. 25, 2009) afternoon in an anti-nuclear power demonstration that featured a Trojan horse.
The protesters used a symbolic Trojan Horse along with about 1,000 kilograms of yellow rocks symbolising uranium to demonstrate their opposition to additional nuclear power and uranium mining in Finland.
The "Trojan Horse of Nuclear Waste" was the showpiece of the demonstration, which protesters say was a reminder that nuclear plants in Finland create 1,000 kilograms of nuclear waste in five minutes.
(YLE Apr. 25, 2009)
300 demonstrate in Oulu against nuclear power and uranium mining projects
An estimated 300 people marched in Oulu on January 24, 2009, to demonstrate against nuclear power and uranium mining projects.
The demonstration was organized by Ydinverkosto (Nuclear Network), a movement in northern Finland which opposes uranium mining and nuclear power.
(YLE Jan. 24, 2009)
Uranium exploration in Northern Karelia
On Jan. 19, 2007, the Finnish trade and industry ministry refused several requests from Areva for uranium prospection licences in Lapland.
The ministry said the new requests 'do not fulfill the legal requirements for mining prospection.' (AFX Jan. 19, 2007)
On Oct. 10, 2006, the Finnish government granted permission for French nuclear group, Areva, to prospect for uranium in Eno and Kontiolahti in eastern Finland.
The 15 exploration sites are in the province of northern Karelia near the Russian border, 460 kilometers northeast of the capital, Helsinki.
The permission does not cover test mining or test milling.
(AP Oct. 10, 2006)
Uranium exploration in southern Finland
On Jan. 19, 2007, the Finnish trade and industry ministry refused several requests from Areva for uranium prospection licences in the south of Finland.
The ministry said the new requests 'do not fulfill the legal requirements for mining prospection.' (AFX Jan. 19, 2007)
On Dec. 21, 2006, opponents of uranium mining in West Uusimaa submitted a petition with 7,700 signatures urging the government to reject the 200 uranium prospection applications filed for the area. The government expects to make a decision on the applications in January 2007.
Opponents of prospecting activities in Uusimaa note that the region is densely populated, and needs of new residential areas. There is also the fear that clean ground water in the area could be spoiled by uranium prospecting and mining.
(Helsingin Sanomat Dec. 22, 2006)
On Oct. 10, 2006, Areva submitted its application for uranium exploration in southern Finland. In the application, 35 of the proposed 50 square kilometres would be in Nummi-Pusula, and the remaining 15 in neighbouring Somero. There are a total of nearly 400 farms in the area. (Helsingin Sanomat Oct 11, 2006)
A delegation of the citizens of Askola and Pukkila, two communities in Eastern Uusimaa, protested in Helsinki on May 3, 2006, against the French uranium company Cogema's plans to start mining activities in their home municipalities.
The demonstration was arranged by the civic movement Uraaniton.org ("Uranium-Free") that gathered some 200 protesters, including a couple of dozen citizens of Askola and Pukkila who had arrived in Helsinki driving their tractors.
(Helsingin Sanomat May 4, 2006)
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)
Restart of uranium mining in Eastern Germany still not profitable, Wismut says
Wismut speaker Frank Wolf denied that the remaining uranium deposits in Thuringia and Saxony could be mined profitably, even though in early June 2007, the uranium spot market price exceeded the inflation-adjusted production cost of the former Wismut mines. The cost of the "high environmental and safety standards" would have to be factored in, as well. So far, Wismut has not received any inquiries from potential investors.
(Ostthüringer Zeitung July 19, 2007)
The following companies are performing uranium prospection and/or exploration in Hungary: Whildhorse Energy
> View Pécs deposit info
WildHorse signs cooperation agreement with Mecsek-Öko and Mecsekérc for restart of uranium mining in Hungary
On Oct. 13, 2009, Wildhorse Energy Ltd announced a new Co-operation Agreement has been signed with Mecsek-Öko 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.
WildHorse eyes 20 year mine life for Mecsek uranium project
On Sep. 26, 2008, Wildhorse Energy Ltd announced that it sees the potential for production of in excess of 2 million lbs of U3O8 [769 t U] per year for over 20 years at its Mecsek project site.
WildHorse signs cooperation agreement for restart of uranium mining in Hungary
On August 6, 2008, WildHorse Energy Ltd announced that it has signed an exclusive Cooperation Agreement with Mecsekérc , 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:
- Consolidation of the geological model of the entire mineralised area,
- Refinement of a conceptual underground mine design already prepared for WHE by Coffey Mining,
- Preliminary evaluation of the environmental impacts of any future mining scenarios, and
- Completion of a socio-economic study on the implication of future mining in the region
It is aimed to complete this work by the end of September 2008 for review with relevant government agencies and community groups.
WildHorse could open first Hungarian uranium mine in 2010
WildHorse Energy Ltd, an Australia-based company, could – if all goes goes exactly to plan – open its first uranium mine in Hungary at Bátaszék in 2010 and the next at Pécs in 2012, the head of the company’s local unit said.
The mines will be opened only if they can be operated economically, local daily Népszabadság reported, citing András Barabás, head of WildHorse Kft. The uranium mine in Pécs (208km southwest of Budapest), which had been in operation for 40 years, closed in 1997 as a loss-maker. Since then, the price of uranium has risen five-fold on the world market, which has boosted the search for the metallic chemical element in the region.
Public support for the mine in Pécs, however, is a tricky issue.
While it previously gave jobs to several tens of thousands of people, thousands suffered permanent or fatal health damage.
Mayor Péter Tasnádi said the city municipality would give its consent to the re-opening of the mine only if it received a thorough analysis of the consequences from WildHorse and authorities that need to green light the project.
WildHorse announced in mid-June the completion of its confirmatory drilling programs at two of its 100% owned Hungarian projects, Bátaszék (173km south of Budapest) and Dinnyeberki, in the Mecsek Mountains (218km southwest of the capital).
(The Budapest Sun July 23, 2008)
Environment Ministry concerned over proposed re-opening of mines in Southern Hungary
The Hungarian Ministry of Environment and Water 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 Eromu 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 the these heaps between 1992 and 1995 indicate that U3O8 grades ranged between 94 and 152 ppm in the ash, and between 33 and 137 ppm 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 - 0.013% U].
Sparton already is evaluating a similar project in Yunnan Province, China.
(Wildhorse/Sparton May 24, 2007; MiningNews Net May 25, 2007)
Uranium prospection licenses denied in Donegal
Natural Resources Minister Eamon Ryan has declined to grant Prospecting Licences to two companies seeking to explore for uranium in Donegal.
"It would be hypocritical to permit the extraction of uranium for use in nuclear reactors in other countries, while the nuclear generation of electricity is not allowed in Ireland".
"There are also significant environmental and public health concerns surrounding uranium mining, including contamination of ground and surface water supplies and radiation levels."
> View Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources release Dec. 2, 2007
The following companies are performing uranium prospection and/or exploration in Italy:
Carbon Energy Ltd (ex Metex Resources Ltd)
Uranium mining in Italy is opposed by Legambiente Lombardia
Opposition against development of Novazza uranium deposit
The Lombardy Region opposes the Novazza uranium project. (L'Eco di Bergamo Oct. 24, 2006)
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)
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:
Whildhorse Energy
The following companies are performing uranium prospection and/or exploration in Portugal: Berkeley Resources Ltd
> View deposit info
Uranium mining in Nisa is being opposed by Movimento Urânio em Nisa, Não (MUNN) , Quercus .
300 protest against any uranium exploration in Nisa
On Oct. 19, 2008, 300 people held a demonstration in Nisa against any uranium exploration in the area.
(Jornal de Notícias Oct. 19, 2008)
Opposition against uranium exploration in Nisa
More than 300 people have signed a petition launched by Movimento Urânio em Nisa, Não (MUNN) to protest against the possible exploration of uranium in the region.
(Diário Digital Jan. 31, 2008)
Agreement with Anaconda expired
The agreement between Anaconda and ENU on the development of the Nisa project, Portugal, has expired. (Anaconda 2001 Annual Report, Oct. 24, 2001)
Quercus - National Association of Nature Conservation opposes Nisa project
The public consultation for the Nisa uranium project ended on July 20, 1999.
> view Quercus statement: "Quercus against approval of uranium mine in Nisa: environmental and public health hazards inadequately evaluated" (July 24, 1999)
Anaconda Uranium enters Nisa Joint Venture
Anaconda Uranium Corporation has entered into a binding agreement with Empresa Nacional de Urânio S.A. (ENU) a subsidiary company of the Portuguese State mining holding company, Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro, S.A. (EDM), to develop and exploit the Nisa Uranium Project as a joint venture.
Located in the Alto Alentejo area of Portugal, the Nisa Project consists of eight shallow uranium deposits with total reserves in excess of 5 million pounds of U3O8 at a grade of 0.13 percent U3O8. It is estimated that the project will be in production within the next 12 months.
> View Anaconda Uranium Corp. press release July 23, 1998
The following companies are performing uranium prospection and/or exploration in Romania:
Valhalla Resources Ltd.
Romania to invest in uranium exploration in Angola
> View here
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)
> see also Russia (Asian part)
> 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.
Slovak parliament strengthens legal position of local authorities opposing uranium mining projects
On March 3, 2010, the Slovak parliament, in response to a petition against uranium mining signed by over 113,000 people, finally agreed on legal changes in the geological and mining laws.
The legal changes are giving local communities, municipal and regional authorities more information access and powers to stop or limit exploration of uranium deposits and to stop proposed uranium mining. This is a significant empowerment of local and regional authorities in the mining permitting process. All 41 municipal authorities influenced by proposed uranium mining already have declared that they do not agree with proposed uranium mining in their territories.
(Greenpeace Slovakia Mar. 4, 2010)
100,000 signatures for petition against uranium mining in Slovakia
Representatives of four environmental organizations reported in Košice today that the number of signatures collected for the petition "Stop Uranium" exceeded the statutory limit of 100,000.
(Greenpeace Slovakia Sep. 4, 2009)
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)
92,000 signatures against uranium mining in Slovakia
A petition "Stop uranium mining in Slovakia" is now backed by more than 92,000 people. In the Trenčín region, where uranium mining is planned near Selec, Kálnica, and Hôrka nad Váhom, most towns and cities expressed their opposition to the project.
(Green Party of Slovakia, April 17, 2009)
Winegrowers of Tokay oppose uranium exploration
The association of wine growers has launched a petition for saving the Tokay region for wine growing. The petition reacts on three industrial developments in the area: uranium exploration by Crown Energy, building of a coal power plant, and perlite mining.
(Pravda Feb. 5, 2008)
> View deposit info
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.
> Calculate mine feasibility
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.
Opposition: Apóyanos en contra de las minas de uranio
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)
Berkeley Resources Ltd to develop uranium mining assets in Salamanca Province, Spain
On July 16, 2008, Berkeley Resources Ltd announced that the company has been chosen by ENUSA Industrias Avanzadas S.A. as that company's partner to conduct a feasibility study upon and ultimately develop ENUSA's uranium mining assets in Salamanca Province, Spain.
On Dec. 9, 2008, Berkeley Resources Ltd advised that the Company has agreed
the terms of a Co-operation Agreement with ENUSA Industrias Avanzadas S.A.,
pursuant to which Berkeley will undertake a Feasibility Study with a view to re-commencing uranium mining based on ENUSA and Berkeley's assets in Salamanca Province, Spain. The transaction will be put to shareholders for approval in January 2009.
Berkeley will have the right to acquire up to 90% of ENUSA's uranium mining and exploration assets, which include State Reserve permits containing substantial historical resources and also access to ENUSA's Quercus uranium processing plant (in its present condition), which was previously permitted to produce up to 950 tpa of U3O8.
On April 27, 2009, Berkeley Resources announced that the Spanish Council of Ministers has approved the co-operation agreement with ENUSA Industrias Avanzadas SA.
> View deposit info
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 ,
Uranium International Corp. ,
Uranium Prospects Plc
For opposition to uranium mining in Sweden, see:
Nej till uranbrytning (in Swedish)
On April 15, 2007, Continental Precious Minerals Inc. filed an appeal to reverse the decision of The Mining Inspectorate of Sweden not to grant them prospecting rights in Billingen.
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 ).
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.
The following companies are performing uranium prospection and/or exploration in Switzerland:
AuroVallis Sàrl (Nendaz, VS)
The following companies are performing uranium prospection and/or exploration in Ukraine:
Vostochny Uranium Ore Mining,
Uran Ltd ,
United Uranium Corp. ,
Star Uranium Corp.
Ukraine wants uranium cooperation with Russia
Ukraine wants to cooperate with Russia in the mining and processing of uranium. President Victor Yushchenko ordered the drafting of a related government agreement with Russia.
(RIA Novosti Aug. 27, 2009)
South Korea and Ukraine sign agreement on nuclear cooperation and development of uranium deposits
A memorandum of understanding covering issues related to nuclear power and development of uranium deposits has been agreed between South Korea and Ukraine on June 25, 2007. The agreement particularly deals with information and technology exchange.
(WNN June 28, 2007)
Ukraine to achieve self-sufficiency in uranium by 2013
Ukraine is planning to become self-dependent in terms of uranium supplies for its operating nuclear power plants by boosting annual production of this metal from the current 800 tonnes to 2,500 tonnes between 2007 and 2013, the republic's Fuel and Energy Ministry told RBC. The target is to reach an output level of 5,900 tonnes of uranium per year in 2014-2025, and 6,400 per year in 2025-2030.
(RBC June 15, 2007)
Ukraine to double uranium production by 2010; five-fold increase envisaged by 2020
Ukrainian state company Vostochny Uranium Ore Mining (Vostochny GOK, Dnepropetrovsk region) plans to boost uranium output 120% between 2006 and 2010, increasing the level of uranium it provides to Ukrainian nuclear power stations to 71% from 32%.
Pyotr Kuch, a senior engineer at Vostochny GOK, announced the forecast at a nuclear fuel cycle elements conference in Dneprodzerzhinsk.
"The long-term uranium production plan envisages an almost five-fold increase in 2020 with the approval of the Novokonstantinovsk uranium field project," he said. Improving the Novokonstantinovsk field project could mean a 520% increase in production, which will meet Ukrainian nuclear power requirements and enable uranium to be exported, he added.
However, due to insufficient state budget funding, it will be necessary to raise off-budget funds.
(Interfax Mar 21, 2006)
Ukraine could export natural uranium
Ukraine has the capability to export natural uranium, provided the financing is assured. Ukraine has prospects to provide 100% of its own uranium needs (rather than only 34.5% at present), and to export its surpluses, according to Minister Sergey Yermilov. While until last year, the market prices of natural uranium were below the production cost in Ukraine, there now already are orders for the purchase of natural uranium, for which capacities should be developed.
(Ukraine Ministry of Fuel and Energy, Dec. 2, 2003)
Ukraine trebles uranium production
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
Dneprodzerzhinsk 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.
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 Novokonstantinovsk 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)
Surskoye, Gurevskoye uranium deposits (ISL), Dnepropetrovsk region
On Dec. 18, 2006, Uran Limited announced that it has entered into an agreement with The Department of Fuel and Energy of the Ukraine 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.
/ Greenland 
