On September 6, 2006, 48 Japanese NGOs submitted a petition to Prime Minister Koizumi calling on the Japanese government to oppose lifting Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) restrictions on nuclear trade with India.
The possible supply of nuclear fuel to India would, in fact, add to its nuclear weapons capabilities by freeing-up its existing and limited domestic capacity to produce highly enriched uranium and plutonium exclusively for weapons.

> View CNIC release Sep. 6, 2006

Nuclear Power Corp. of India to spend $1.2 billion on stake in Canadian and Australian uranium mines

India's nuclear power company plans to spend $1.2 billion on a stake in a uranium mine to support an expanded atomic power program. Nuclear Power Corp. of India approached Australian and Canadian companies on a possible joint venture in uranium mining, Chairman S.K. Jain said, without naming them. India may compete with China for deposits of the metal, he said. Nuclear Power Corp. is seeking a joint venture in which the state-owned company and the foreign partner will each invest $200 million and $800 million will come from loans, Jain said. "We are looking at investments of $1.2 billion per mine." (Bloomberg May 29, 2006)

India to continue uranium mining, even if imports for civilian purposes would become possible

The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) wants to mine uranium in the country, irrespective of whether it would import the radioactive ore from abroad or not, only for the 'sake of self-sufficiency'.
Chances of India importing uranium from abroad are more. This, after New Delhi and Washington signed an agreement for nuclear cooperation early this year. The deal once cleared by the US Congress would enable India's import of uranium from abroad. Under the accord, India agreed to separate its civilian and non-civilian nuclear programme. The civilian facilities would be subjected to international scrutiny, under the deal.
However, the imported nuclear fuel 'would not be allowed to be used in non-civilian facilities'. This was informed by the head of the Public Awareness Division of DAE, Swapnesh Kumar Malhotra. He further added that this was reason enough for 'India to continue with its own programme to mine uranium in the country, apart from for the sake of self-sufficiency'. (Assam Tribune May 29, 2006)

Change emerging in India's nuclear fuel procurement policy?

India should find a political solution to access latest reactor technology and uranium in international market even while steadfastly adhering to its stated position on Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), says the outgoing Chairman of the Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC), C. Ganguly. He has stressed the need for finding a political solution through diplomacy if India has to expand its nuclear power programme in a big way. "Better buy uranium abroad if you can get it cheaper and not waste time by rediscovering the wheel."
Foreign companies should also be allowed to undertake mining and produce uranium in the country by amending the laws, if necessary, and, in return, India should buy from them at a lesser rate than the prevailing international market price. (The Hindu Aug. 13, 2004)

General, Domestic

India aims at uranium extraction from phosphoric acid

Addressing the Heavy Water Board (HWB)

officials and engineers, he said "now NPCIL is hungry for uranium and we expect nuclear grade uranium from HWB soon," said S K Jain, chairman and managing director of Nuclear power Corporation of India (NPCIL). "Since HWB has accepted the challenge to produce nuclear grade uranium from phosphoric acid, the day may not be far when NPCIL will get uranium from HWB and India can go for electricity from PHWR beyond the current limit of 10,000 MW," Jain said. (Economic Times Feb. 17, 2008)

No Foreign Direct Investment permitted in uranium mining in India

In a move that sets a precedent for mining firms, the government has ruled out the entry of foreign players in the business of uranium mining, saying it is a strategic sector where it could not take chances. Following objections from the department of atomic energy, the Foreign Investment Promotion Board

has turned down a proposal from UK's GoldStone Resources

to hunt for the mineral, initially in Karnataka. GoldStone had proposed to set up a wholly-owned subsidiary in India to engage in exploration of diamond, gold and uranium palaeoplacers. (The Times of India July 23, 2007)

Canadian firm ready for uranium exploration in India

Canadian exploration firm Magnum Uranium Corporation

today said it plans to enter the country once the Indo-US nuclear cooperation deal is cleared.
"India's current consumption of Uranium is only 1,334 tonnes per year, which is expected to go up manifold once the US-India pact on civil nuclear cooperation comes into force. Hence, there is a big scope for us in India," MUC's President and CEO Craig Lindsay told PTI here. (New Kerala Nov. 24, 2006)

UCIL investing in new uranium mines and uranium exploration

Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) will invest roughly Rs 31 billion [US$ 679 million] to open new mines and set up processing plants in Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh and Meghalaya. UCIL chairman-cum-managing director Ramendra Gupta said that the UCIL is investing Rs 6.5 billion [US$ 142 million] in Jharkhand alone. In addition, UCIL is exploring uranium deposits in Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Karnataka. (PTI June 6, 2006)
An investment of Rs 18 billion [US$ 393 million] is proposed for setting up two uranium mining and milling plants in Nalgonda and Kadapa districts in Andhra Pradesh, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission Anil Kakodkar said on June 8, 2006. (The Hindu June 9, 2006)

India's nuclear generation stays behind due to uranium shortage

Five of the 17 nuclear power plants in the country had been shut down and the remaining are operating at an average of less than 50 per cent capacity for want of fuel, a top official of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited said. (PTI Oct. 21, 2007)

The fuel shortage situation has started telling on the performance of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL). Currently operating nuclear power stations with a capacity of around 4,000 MWe, it has been forced to slash power production levels. The overall plant load factor (PLF) has come down from a high of 80-90 per cent to around 60 per cent in some three years - a drop of 30 per cent when there's power shortage in the country.
A delay in the commissioning of the milling system at the Jaduguda mines in Jharkhand is a major factor behind the current fuel shortage. Any further delays would lead to NPCIL cutting generation further "from 18 reactors" to around "50-55 per cent" in the next few months. If the fuel supply situation does not improve, generation from some units can stop in the next one or to two years. (Indian Express Aug. 20, 2007)

A mismatch between supply of fuel by the Uranium Corporation of India (UCIL) and demand triggered by India's fast-expanding nuclear power programme could hamper the progress of the Pressurized Heavy Water (PHWR) programme, nuclear industry sources said.
Due to the shortage of fuel, the 12 PHWRs run by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) , a public sector undertaking of Department of Atomic Energy, are running at 65 per cent capacity (the new 540 MW plants Tarapur Atomic Power Project (TAPP) units 3 and 4 running at full capacity but after four months may face problems due to fuel) and this would definitely reduce the profitability of the company, NPCIL sources said.
The mismatch has been created due to NPCIL's demonstration to the world that it could have the power plant capacity up to 95 per cent and also its demonstration of reducing the gestation period of construction from 10 years to four and a half to five years, according to Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) sources. (PTI Aug. 25, 2006)

In its mid-term appraisal of the 10th Plan , the Planning Commission had mentioned that the plant load factor achieved by the nuclear power stations had "gone down to 73.70 per cent in 2003-04, after reaching a high of 79.40 per cent in 2001-02. This is primarily due to non-availability of nuclear fuel because the development of domestic mines has not kept pace with addition of generating capacity." (p.329/330) However, the situation is likely to improve as Nuclear Power Corporation India Ltd. (NPCIL) anticipates import of uranium soon as the nuclear deal with the United States is approved.
In the ongoing 10th Plan (2002-2007), the 2,720 MW nuclear power capacity was to be augmented by 1,300 MW. But, capacity addition is likely to be 2,620 MW, twice the targeted increment. The 9th Plan had seen 880 MW capacity addition. The 11th Plan (2007-2012) would target an additional 3,000 MW in nuclear power generation, according to reports. (Project Monitor, June 2, 2006)

New uranium deposits discovered in central India

The department of atomic energy (DAE) has discovered uranium at three locations in central India and assessments suggest there are adequate mining reserves. Baldev Raj, a DAE director, said prospecting may be completed in the next 18 months, although he declined to divulge the locations for security reasons. "The DAE's atomic mineral division is in talks with all related parties and we are trying to expedite the whole process. At DAE, we are sure that these locations hold enough reserves for viable mining," he said. (Times of India, Dec. 6, 2005)

India investing in new uranium mines

Uranium Corporation Of India Limited (UCIL) will invest Rs 20 billion (US$ 460 million) to open new mines and set up processing plants in Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh and Meghalaya, UCIL Chairman-cum-Managing Director R K Gupta said on March 19, 2005.
In Jharkand, apart from opening new mines at Bandurang, Bagjata and Moldih in the district, the construction for the processing plant at Turamdih has already begun; about Rs 7 billion (US$ 160 million) will be invested for these new projects, which were likely to be completed during the 10th Five Year Plan in 2007-08. The processing plant at Turamdih were likely to be completed by 2006-07. (PTI March 19, 2005)

India tests new method to extract uranium from sea water

The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)

in Mumbai has developed a method for extracting uranium from sea water, according to the BARC annual report. The BARC method involves passing sea water through a specially made radiation induced polymer that will selectively absorb uranium. Laboratory studies showed that the material could absorb as much as 45 per cent of uranium present in sea water. The report said that on the basis of laboratory data, BARC is getting ready to build, in the first step, a bench scale plant that will produce 100 grams of uranium per year from sea water. Bigger plants will be decided after working out the cost benefit analysis. (Times of India Feb. 25, 2003)

Jharkhand

Mohuldih · Baghjanta · Bandugurang

Mohuldih project (Jharkhand)

(also spelled Mahuldih)

According to UCIL chairman-cum-managing director Ramendra Gupta, the Mahuldih project is likely to be completed by 2010. (PTI June 6, 2006)

Hearing held on Mahuldih uranium mine project

On Dec. 20, 2005, another hearing was held at Mahuldih on the proposed uranium mine. Access of outside environmentalists was prevented by non-official armed persons. Jharkhandi Organisation Against Radiation (JOAR) was not even permitted to file a written submission. The radiation issue was nevertheless raised by several local villagers. It appeared that more villagers than at the previous hearing were ready to sell their land to UCIL, but they made several demands regarding financial compensation. UCIL has not decided yet on these and announced to hold another meeting within 15 days. (Hindustan Times 21 Dec. 2005; JOAR)

Ranchi University teachers join campaign against Mahuldih uranium mine

Eight professors and lecturers from various colleges of Ranchi University have joined the Anti-Nuclear Power Plant and Mining Front, an organization of academics and social activists, vowing to undertake research work on the harmful impact of radiation on workers and people living in the vicinity of UCIL's Jadugoda and Rakha mines. They have categorically voiced their opposition to UCIL's proposed uranium mines at Mahuldih. (Hindustan Times 19 Dec. 2005)

Jharkhand state Pollution Control Board sides with Mahuldih residents on uranium mine project

The Jharkhand state Pollution Control Board (JSPCB) has turned a sympathizer of the villagers and termed their demands 'just' and 'genuine'. JSPCB has also won several hearts in Mahuldih village by promising them to fight for their causes before holding the public hearing to get their 'invaluble' land for uranium mining.
Speaking to the media persons, the board chairman, Tileshwar Sahu, made it clear that JSPCB would not issue No Objection Certificate (NOC) to the UCIL until it settles the compensation issue with the residents of Mahuldih. (Ranchi Express Aug. 31, 2005)

Residents keep Pollution Control Board from holding hearing on proposed Mohuldih uranium mine project

On August 29, 2005, the struggle against radioactivity of JOAR (Jharkhandi Organisation Against Radiation) reached a new dimension at the occasion of the public hearing scheduled for the proposed Mohuldih mines. The villagers of Mohuldih and more than 10 other affected villages unanimously declared that they do not want uranium mines at the expense of their land and livelihood. They forced the Jharkhand Pollution Control Board (PCB) officials and officials of UCIL to retreat when they had come for conducting the public hearing at Mohuldih. "We will give our lives but not our land" was their united slogan.
The public hearing which was initially scheduled to be held on the 5th of August had already once been postponed to the 29th by the demand of the people of the area. However, even today when the PCB and UCIL officials arrived for the hearing, they were not even allowed to enter the site of the public hearing by the villagers. Men and women from more than 12 villages around Mohuldih, which would be affected by the proposed Mohuldih mines, opposed the hearing, stating that they neither need a hearing nor a uranium mine. They declared to the officials that they would not let go of their land in any circumstance. "The mine will last for 30 years; what will happen to us after that? Our land has supported us for generations and will continue to do so", they stated. "We have seen what has happened to the villagers who have been displaced by the other uranium mines. They have not got any facilities, which were promised to them, none of the promises made of rehabilitation has been fulfilled. We cannot rely on their false promises and lose our livelihood", they said.
The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the project is riddled with faults, according to JOAR. It was prepared by Mecon Consultants on behalf of UCIL. "Nowhere in the entire report has any mention been made of the radioactive health hazards, not even to state that there will be no hazard, completely denying the health aspects of uranium radiation," says an activist from the Human Rights Law Network. (JOAR Aug. 29, 2005)

Baghjanta project (Jharkhand)

(also spelled Bagjata)

According to UCIL chairman-cum-managing director Ramendra Gupta, the Bagjata project is likely to be completed by 2008. (PTI June 6, 2006)

Public involvement obstructed for Baghjanta uranium mine project

A public hearing by the Jharkhand Pollution Control Board (PCB) on the proposed underground uranium mine at Baghjanta, East Singhbhum District of Jharkhand, originally scheduled for August 20, 2004 has been postponed to Sep. 18, 2004. Intervenors have not been able to obtain copies of the full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the project, let alone any copies in native language, in spite of repeated requests to the PCB. Also, details on the planned resettlement scheme have not been made available.
A site visit at the Baghjanta village on Aug. 20, 2004, showed that UCIL had already started construction work on the mine without having obtained a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from PCB. (JOAR Aug. 20, 2004)

UCIL had begun underground mining at Baghjanta in 1986, but had to close down production in 1991. At the public hearing held on Sep. 18, 2004, the villagers welcomed the resumption of uranium mining at Baghjanta for its economic effects, but placed certain demands to UCIL, most of which rotated around development of the region. "We would prefer to suffer from radiation than die of hunger", said Thakura Hansda, president of the local village committee.
Environmentalists who wanted to attend the hearing were not enabled to raise their concerns. They had found that the Executive Summary of the EIA, which was obtained after much argument, were environmentally blind. Supposedly a report for a uranium mine, it had only two small paragraphs on the radiation aspects, with no mention whatsoever about the effects which uranium radiation might have on health of the population, the environment or the agricultural ecology, and the means taken to address them is not a part of the report. (The Hindustan Times, The Telegraph, JOAR Sep. 18, 2004)

Bandugurang project (Jharkhand)

(also spelled Banduhurang)

Bandugurang open pit mine inaugurated

Bandugurang, UCIL's first open pit mine, was inaugurated on June 25, 2007. It would produce 2,400 tons uranium ore per day. (Times of India, June 25, 2007)

UCIL seeks police help as displaced people disrupt mining

The Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) has sought the help of East Singhbhum district administration after displaced people stalled mining at Bandhuhurang-Keuradungri opencast mines from May 1, 2007.
Villagers told mediapersons that alleged difference in land rates being offered to the displaced had provoked the villagers to come under the banner of Turamdih Displaced Committee (TDC) being led by Demka Soy and force the closure of Banhuhurang-Keuradunglri mines. (Ranchi Express 5 May 2007)

Bandugurang project to be completed by 2007

According to UCIL chairman-cum-managing director Ramendra Gupta, the Banduhurang project is likely to be completed by 2007. (PTI June 6, 2006)

State Pollution Control Board has No Objection to Bandugurang uranium mine project

The Pollution Control Board (PCB) of Jharkhand State, India has given the No-Objection Certificate (NOC) to the Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) to undertake opencast uranium mining at Bandugurang, East Singhbhum District of Jharkhand State on 8th April 2004. The Jharkhandi Organisation Against Radiation (JOAR) considers this as a case of clear violation of the existing rules of the PCB and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) public hearing, since no full-length copy of the EIA had been made available.
UCIL plans to construct an additional uranium mill at Turamdi (5 km from Bundugurang), where an underground uranium mine is already operating.

Andhra Pradesh

Lambapur-Peddagattu · Pulivendula

Lambapur-Peddagattu project (Andhra Pradesh)

Tribal organisation demands stop of mining in Nalgonda

Andhra Pradesh Girijan Samakhya president Ramavath Ravindra Kumar Naik has demanded immediate revoking of all permissions and alienation of lands to companies like Jindal in Visakhapatnam and Nalgonda districts to stop injustice towards tribals. Uranium mining in Nalgonda district and proposed bauxite mining in Visakhapatnam agency area, setting up of factory by Jindal group would lead to violation of 1/70 Act, and deprive the Adivasis of their right over the local natural wealth. (The Hindu July 3, 2007)

Lambapur-Peddagattu uranium project accorded environmental clearance

Central environmental clearance is accorded to the uranium project proposed to be set up in Nalgonda district and two other places, Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) Chief Executive A. Madhusudana Rao said on April 10, 2006. (The Hindu, April 11, 2006)

Andhra Pradesh opposition criticises Lambapur-Peddagattu uranium project in State Assembly

The opposition in Andhra Pradesh on March 9, 2006, voiced concern over the threat to public health by the proposed uranium mining unit in Nalgonda district, and asked the Congress government to reconsider the project.
In the state assembly, the main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS), Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said the project would not only affect the people of Nalgonda, but will also pose a threat to this state capital by polluting the source of drinking water. (Times of India March 9, 2006)

Protest walk against uranium mining at Lambapur-Peddagattu

Anti-uranium activists launched a protest walk on January 3, 2006, to mobilise the public support against the Uranium Corporation of India Limited's proposal to set up uranium mining and processing units at Peddagattu and Seripally respectively. They reached Devarakonda after covering about 40 villages and hamlets and addressed many roadside meetings to educate students and villagers on the ill-effects of uranium.
Addressing a meeting at Devarkonda, Human Rights Forum State general secretary Balagopal flayed the Government's insistence on going ahead with the project when local tribals expressed their opposition against it. "Development should not be at the cost of people. Sustained development with people's involvement is the need the hour," he said. (The Hindu Jan. 7, 2006)

Indian Government announces plan to construct Lambapur-Peddagattu uranium mine

Government is proposing to set up a uranium mining and processing plant at Nalgonda in Andhra Pradesh, Indian Parliament was informed on Dec. 22, 2005. In a written reply, Minister of State in Prime Minister's Office Prithviraj Chavan said Uranium Corporation of India Ltd (UCIL) proposes to set up an opencast mine and an underground mine at Lambapur and two underground mines at Peddagattu in Nalgonda. A uranium processing plant is to be set up at Seripally village in Deverkonda Mandal in Andhra Pradesh at estimated cost of Rs 5584.2 million (US$ 124 million). The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF) has given the site clearance and an application has been submitted to MOEF for environmental clearance in respect of setting up of mines. (Hindustan Times Dec. 22, 2005)

Demonstration in Nalgonda against Lambapur-Peddagattu uranium mine project

On Oct. 25, 2005, anti-uranium activists held a demonstration in Nalgonda in front of the office of the Environment Engineer, Pollution Control Board, reiterating their demand that Uranium Corporation of India Limited proposal for uranium mining in the district be rejected.
On coming to know that the Corporation's proposal to set up mining project at Lambapur-Peddagattu is reportedly being considered by the reconstituted expert committee (mines) at a meeting in New Delhi on October 26, the activists under the aegis of the Movement Against Uranium Project, Jana Vignana Vedika and Human Rights Forum organised the demonstration with placards and banners. (The Hindu Oct. 26, 2005)

Overwhelming opposition against uranium processing plant at public hearing

Environmentalists, people's representatives, political leaders and local tribals opposed the proposal to construct the uranium processing unit at Seripally in Devarakonda mandal of Nalgonda district.
Of the 60 persons, who took part in the environment public hearing held by the Pollution Control Board here on March 3, 2005, as many as 57 persons said a firm "no" to the Uranium Corporation of India Limited's proposal to set up the Rs.3720 million processing plant. Those who raised serious objection to the plan included the Nalgonda MP, Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy, the Devarakonda MLA, Ravindra Kumar, the Seripally sarpanch, R. Sakru Naik, eminent anti-nuclear activists, Praful Bidwai of New Delhi, Surendra Gadekar and Sanghamitra Gadekar of Gujarat, apart from a large number of locals, predominantly lambadas.
(The Hindu March 4, 2005)

Opposition also to new site of uranium mill

The future of the uranium processing plant proposed by the Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) hangs in the balance due to the opposition from peoples' representatives, environmental groups and, last but not least, local tribals.
The UCIL shifted the processing plant site from Mallapuram in Pedda Adisarlapally mandal to Seripally in Devarkonda mandal. While the distance between the mining area, Peddagattu, and Mallapuram was 18 km, the proposed site is 55 km way from the former. "The present site, Seripally, is 28 km from Nagarjunasagar [reservoir]. Hence, there will not be any scope for water contamination," the UCIL's Chief Superintendent, Mechanical, Madhusudan Rao, observes.
However, the Nalgonda MP and Communist Party of India (CPI) general secretary, Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy, is not ready to buy the argument: "We oppose the proposal since the plant could create havoc in the event of floods. If the water that is used for processing of the ore leaks into Nagarjunsagar, it would be having a devastating impact on people. We don't want to see the project anywhere near Nagarjunasagar".
The UCIL desires to acquire 278 hectares of area (173 ha for processing plant, 80 ha for tailings disposal and 25 ha for township). The projected cost for the processing plant is Rs. 3.72 billion (US$ 85.3 million). A public hearing is slated for March 3, 2005. (The Hindu March 2, 2005)

New site for proposed uranium mill being considered

"We are going to change the processing plant site in tune with the Technical Committee's opinion that it should be established away from Nagarjunasagar," State Minister for Mines and Geology, Uma Madhava Reddy said adding that the Government would take a decision on the issue in a couple of months.
UCIL officials had already launched a search to shift the processing unit to a "safer" site much before the PCB came out with its observations last week. A team of officials inspected revenue land at Seripally in Devarkonda mandal for the purpose, it is learnt. (The Hindu, Feb. 2, 2004)

State Pollution Control Board says 'no' to uranium plant

In a major victory for environmental groups, the Andhra Pradesh State Pollution Control Board

is believed to have decided rejected and "not to consider" the Uranium Corporation of India Limited's (UCIL) proposal to set up uranium mining unit and processing plant at Lambapur/Peddagattu and Mallapuram villages respectively in Nalgonda district. The decisions were taken at the meeting of the Consent For Establishment (CFE) Committee held in Hyderabad on Jan. 28, 2004.
The proposal for the processing plant at Mallapuram, in the vicinity and catchment of the Nagarjunasagar reservoir, was rejected out of hand by the committee. The Technical Committee that had studied the project is reported to have already rejected the proposal. The reservoir, built to supply Hyderabad with water, now already contains uranium concentrations in the 2 - 3 �g/L range, that is above the former WHO 2 �g/L preliminary guidance (WHO's current preliminary guidance is 15 �g/L). Expert opinion is that once mining of uranium ore is permitted in the Lambapur-Peddagattu belt, the leaching of radionuclides into the Nagarjunasagar reservoir will only increase.
For the proposed uranium mine in the Lambapur/ Peddagattu area, the Technical Committee suggested safeguards for its operations. However, the CFE Committee decided not to consider the request for consent of the UCIL at the proposed site as the suggestions and recommendations of the Technical Committee are "impracticable and go against the universally accepted precautionary principle." (The Hindu Jan. 29, 2004; Times of India Jan. 30, 2004)

Tracts of tiger reserve excised for uranium exploration

On January 16, 2004, the Union forest and environment ministry has approved the denotification of 1,000 hectares of the Rajiv Gandhi Tiger Reserve and 1,000 hectares of reserve forest in Chitral to allow UCIL to carry out exploratory drilling for uranium.
Sources said the area that has been dereserved is home to some species of deer and several invertebrates. The Zoological Survey of India had sometime ago discovered some new species in the area where exploratory drilling has been permitted, sources added. (Times of India, Feb. 2, 2004)

Guerrilla group attacks Lambapur-Peddagattu uranium mine project

On Dec. 3, 2003, the People's War Group (PWG) set on fire exploration equipment at the site of the proposed Lambapur-Peddagattu uranium mine. Two drilling machines, two generators, two trucks and a jeep were set ablaze by armed members of the guerrilla group. Later, the group held a meeting in Peddagattu village, explaining the tribals the anticipated hazards of the proposed mine. (The Hindu Dec. 5, 2003)

Guerrilla group joins opposition to Lambapur uranium mine project

"We will prevent the project from coming into existence at any cost," spokesman Malkapuram Bhaskar of (Maoist) People's War asserted. The state government should not permit such "anti-people" projects. (Times of India Aug. 25, 2003)

Political parties worried about Lambapur uranium mine project

The proposed uranium mining project in Nalgonda district has attracted the attention of the major political parties with Congress, MIM, CPI and CPM demanding that the government should put the project on hold until a consensus is reached on the utility and safety of the project. (Times of India Aug. 17, 2003)

Mining project will affect reserve forest and tiger reserve

As per Uranium Corporation of India Limited's (UCIL's) plans, mining will be conducted over 400 hectares of the Rayaram reserve forest. Similarly, the uranium ore processing plant to be set up near Mallapuram village in the P A Pally mandal is just 3 km away from the Azmapuram reserve forest.
Adding to the worries is the fact that the Rajiv Gandhi-Nagarjunasagar Tiger Reserve is less than 6 km from the proposed mining area. According to a senior official of the forest department, as per the provisions of the Indian Wildlife Act, no industrial activity shall be permitted within 25 km of a notified sanctuary.
Further, mining being an activity capable of increasing the noise levels, the environmentalists' apprehension is that the project, if it becomes a reality, will drive away the precious wildlife of the area. The tiger reserve and the adjoining reserve forest where the mining is proposed is home to the tiger, leopard, bear, several species of deer and other animals. (Times of India, Aug. 7, 2003)

About the Nagarjunasagar Tiger Reserve:

Wildlife Protection Society of India
Tiger Reserves · Project Tiger (Ministry of Environment and Forests)
From the Project Tiger Status Report, 2001 (66k MS Word doc), Issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forests

NGOs mobilizing against uranium mining project

With mining of uranium likely to begin shortly in Lambapur and Peddagutta villages near Nalgonda, several NGOs in the city as well as in the districts have begun the task of mobilising public opinion against the project.
The public hearing on the Uranium Corporation of India Limited's (UCIL) plan to set up a uranium mining plant would be taken up on August 19, 2003. The Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) prepared by UCIL would be presented to the public on August 19 to seek their opinion.
NGOs like Samriti, Environment Protection Council, Centre for Resource Education

, Citizens Against Pollution, and Mines Minerals and People

are already camping in the area to increase awareness among the villagers about the possible side-effects. A� documentary depicting the effects of a similar uranium plant in Jaduguda, Bihar, would also be shown.
"The EIA says that the radiation will be minimal and constantly monitored, but they do not have any concrete action plan as to how they would minimise the radiation," Narasimha Reddy of the Centre for Resource Education said.
As the proposed plant is close to Nagarjuna Sagar reservoir, the effect of radiation, if any, would not only affect the local population but people residing in a much bigger area, he said. "The run-off water from the mine and surrounding areas will seep into the reservoir and finally find its way to the city," Reddy said. The Akkampally reservoir is only 14 km from the proposed mining fields, he said. (Times of India Aug. 1, 2003)

Uranium mining sets off alarm bells in Andhra Pradesh

Mallapuram and other nearby villages of the Nalgonda district could face disaster if the Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) starts extracting and processing uranium, which some greens say is highly likely "given the past safety record of UCIL," it has been claimed.
The UCIL wants to set up a 1,250 tonnes a day capacity uranium ore mining unit and processing unit. It would have to acquire 526.65 hectares in the Peddagattu and Yellapur villages for mining uranium and 318.25 hectares for a processing plant proposed to be set up in the Dugyal and Mallapuram villages.
Villagers say the "uranium people" - company representatives - called on them and are making preparations to hold an environmental public hearing on August 19, 2003.
Greens warned villagers against allowing a uranium processing plant to be located so close to human habitations. It's just one km, from the Nagarjunasagar dam which supplies water for irrigation while the Akkampalli reservoir is four kms away, which is the offtake point for Hyderabad's new drinking water supply scheme. (Gulf News July 30, 2003)

State government to issue mining license for Lambapur-Peddagattu project

The state government will shortly issue mining licence to the Uranium Corporation of India (UCIL) to extract uranium ore from the Lambapur and Peddagutta reserves in Nalgonda district.
The decision comes in the wake of a technical committee, which studied the UCIL project at Jaduguda in Jharkhand, clearing the proposal to set up a hydro metallurgical plant in Nalgonda district.
The corporation estimated that the two places in Nalgonda district have about 11.02 million tonnes of uranium [ore] reserves spread in a 1,326-acre [536 ha] land. The UCIL reportedly proposed to invest about Rs 450 crore [Rs 4.5 billion = US$ 96 million] for setting up the plant. According to estimates, the UCIL proposed to generate about 1,250 tonnes of ore per day for 20 to 25 years.
Meanwhile, J Rama Rao of Forum for Better Hyderabad

, has asked the government to conduct an environmental impact analysis before allowing the UCIL to start mining operations in Nalgonda district. "In the name of development, future generations should not be deprived of their rights." (Times of India May 22, 2003)

UCIL applies for mining license for Lambapur-Peddagattu project

Uranium Corporation of India Limited has applied for grant of mining lease for their Lambapur-Peddagattu project (Andhra Pradesh). (Hindustan Times, Feb. 18, 2003)

Pulivendula (Tummalapalle) project (Cuddappah district, Andhra Pradesh)

Foundation stone to be laid for Tummalapalle uranium mine and mill, Cuddapah, Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy will lay foundation stone for the Rs. 10.29-billion [US$ 261.7 million] uranium project at Thummalapalle in Vemula mandal on November 20, 2007. (The Hindu Nov. 17, 2007)

India approves uranium mine and mill at Tummalapalle, Cuddapah, Andhra Pradesh

On Aug. 23, 2007, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) gave its approval for setting up of a uranium mine and processing plant at Tummalapalle, Cuddapah, Andhra Pradesh, at a total cost of 11.06 billion rupees ($269.9 million). The plant will be set up by the Uranium Corporation of India. The mine is likely to be commissioned within 30 months and the processing plant in 36 months.

Indian government acquires land for Pulivendula uranium mine project

The development of the Tummalapalle uranium mine and mill project is expected to commence soon, after the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) gave its approval on Feb. 8, 2007, to deposit Rs 137 million [US$ 3.1 million] with the Andhra Pradesh government for the land acquisition. The project involves the extraction of uranium from underground mines in 879 hectares spread over five villages - Mabbuchintalapalle, Thummalapalle, Rajukuntapalle, Bhoomayagaripalle and Kottala - in Vemula mandal in the Kadapa district. UCIL expects to extract 3,000 tonnes of ore per day with a uranium concentration of 0.039 per cent. The mining project is estimated to cost Rs 10.3 billion ($ 224 million). (Times of India Feb. 9, 2007)

Protests at public hearing on Pulivendula uranium mine project

More than 100 protestors were baton-charged and driven away by the police when they tried to prevent a public hearing on uranium mining in Pulivendula, Kadapa, on Sep. 10, 2006.
The mining project in Kadapa, estimated to cost Rs 10.3 billion [US$ 224 million], involves the extraction of uranium from underground mines in 879 hectares spread over five villages -- Mabbuchintalapalle, Thummalapalle, Rajukuntapalle, Bhoomayagaripalle and Kottala. UCIL expects to extract 3,000 tonnes of ore per day. The uranium concentration is very meagre at 0.039 per cent. The mines require 17.85 MW of power for extraction. The lifespan of the project is stated to be 30 years and its employment potential is just under a 1000 people. (Rediff 11 Sep 2006)
In a press release, members of the NGO mines, minerals & People (mm&P) said "a public hearing based on irrelevant pronouncements is a mere formality and cannot be construed as obtaining the consent of people in a democratic manner." Nearly a million tonnes of waste would have to be disposed off every year and "the design of the tailing pond is incremental, which can be disastrous." They also questioned the need for taking up such mining in a densely populated area in the Kadapa district. "The Tummaplapalli Uranium Project will be in one of the densely inhabited regions, compared to the existing and proposed uranium mines in India and a deeper (and proper) inquiry into the environmental impact is called for". According to them, over 12000 people in the region would be affected and they should not be exposed to radiation and other risks. They appealed to the Government to get the EIA done again, taking into account these aspects. (The Hindu Business Line 11 Sep 2006)
In a note to the member secretary of the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Board, the Movement Against Uranium Project (MAUP) called the public hearing a "mockery" and said that it was a "private hearing rather than a public hearing". "The presence of large number of hired people brought from the villages not likely to be affected by the project, and prevention of those likely to be directly affected, are clear indications of the stage-managed environmental public hearing (EPH), with the collusion of the authorities concerned," said Capt J Rama Rao, convenor of MAUP, in the letter. The MAUP has demanded that the Sunday's environment public hearing be treated as null and void and a fresh one be conducted after giving adequate notice, in a free and transparent manner under the supervision of an impartial body. The MAUP said that public hearing was the only legal space available to the people, under threat from large and environmentally sensitive projects, where they could raise their concerns. "But unfortunately people of these villages likely to be affected by the uranium project have been denied this opportunity as they were not allowed to take part in the EPH of September 10," said Capt Rao. (Deccan Herald 12 Sep 2006)

NGO criticizes EIA for Pulivendula uranium mine project, Andhra Pradesh

The Movement Against Uranium Projects (MAUP) has opposed the proposal of Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) to set up a uranium project at Thummalapalle in Kadapa district, saying that it will do more harm than good to the present and future generations. Addressing a press conference on Sep. 5, 2006, MAUP convener J. Rama Rao said the project to mine alkaline uranium ore was neither technically feasible nor financially viable.
He alleged that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the project did not qualify to be a full report as the baseline data measurement was limited only to winter as against all three seasons required for such a report. As per the EIA report, the mine was expected to last for 30 years with a capacity of 3,000 tonnes per day from the fourth year of production. However, the average quality of the ore was very low -- only 0.04 per cent. He said that mining and processing of the ore would invariably contaminate air, soil, underground and surface water despite all claims of environment management. It was an 'anti-people' project incurring heavy social and environmental costs.
A public hearing is scheduled to be held at Thummalapalle on September 10, 2006.
He said that new technology was proposed to be adopted as the uranium ore at Thummalapalle was alkaline. The underground mine leasehold area of 879 hectares belonged to five villages but there was no mention of the number of houses to be acquired and the extent of displacement of the families. It also proposed to acquire land of which, 49.85 per cent was under cultivation, and develop green belt in only 40 per cent of it. (The Hindu, Sep. 6, 2006)

UCIL is planning second uranium mine project in Andhra Pradesh at Pulivendula

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy announced that there will be not one but two uranium mines in the state very soon. The Pulivendula project might even take precedence over the Lampapur-Peddagattu project in Nalgonda. (NDTV Feb. 10, 2006)

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