HOME WISE Uranium Project > Mining & Milling > Industry > Companies > Orano >

Orano / Framatome / Areva / Cogéma Hall of Infamy

(last updated 4 Jan 2025)

Dec. 31, 2024: Contaminated uranium slurry transport container received at Cigar Lake mine (Saskatchewan)
Dec. 19, 2024: Radium concentration in effluent discharge at St-Priest-la-Prugne uranium mill tailings site repeatedly exceeding standards (France)
Dec. 9, 2024: Orano pays Euro 4.8 million fine to avoid trial for corruption at Zoovch Ovoo uranium mine project in Mongolia
Oct. 18, 2024: U.S. NRC identifies violation with production of UX-30 overpacks for UF₆ cylinders at Orano's Greensboro plant (North Carolina)
Oct. 3, 2024: Ammonia release at McClean Lake uranium mill (Saskatchewan)
June 22, 2024: Defective fuel rods manufactured by Framatome Richland (Washington) nuclear fuel plant discovered at Oconee Unit 3 NPP
June 12, 2024: Air filter defective at Framatome Richland nuclear fuel plant (Washington)
June 7, 2024: Unirradiated fuel element discovered at former Cadarache MOX plant (France)
Apr. 13, 2024: Ground collapse at former La Faye uranium mine, Grury (France)
Mar. 25, 2024: Leak of hot ferric solution at McClean Lake uranium mill (Saskatchewan)
Jan. 31, 2024: Ammonia leak at McClean Lake uranium mill (Saskatchewan)
Jan. 1, 2024: Ammonia leak at McClean Lake uranium mill (Saskatchewan)
Dec. 21, 2023: Air filter efficiency deficient at Framatome Richland nuclear fuel plant (Washington)
Dec. 20, 2023: Contaminated trailer shipped offsite from McClean Lake uranium mill (Saskatchewan)
Dec. 13, 2023: Vial holding sample of reprocessed uranium lost at Orano Pierrelatte TU5 conversion facility (France)
Dec. 7, 2023: Framatome Richland nuclear fuel plant improperly installed valves at 30B cylinders for enriched uranium hexafluoride all the time (Washington)
Nov. 27, 2023: Non-compliance to safety rules at Orano Tricastin site (France)
Nov. 16, 2023: Contaminated uranium slurry transport container received at Cigar Lake mine (Saskatchewan)
Nov. 14, 2023: Ground collapses above Orano's former La Fraisse uranium mine (France)
Jun. 15, 2023: Contaminated uranium slurry transport container received at Cigar Lake mine (Saskatchewan)
Apr. 23, 2023: Spill at McClean Lake uranium mill (Saskatchewan)
Mar. 8, 2023: Violation of criticality rules at decommissioning EURODIF enrichment plant (France)
Jan. 17, 2023: Prefect issues notice to Orano over excess contaminant concentration at former Bertholène uranium mine site (France)
Dec. 22, 2022: Emergency exercise at Mélox MOX fuel fabrication plant reveals serious deficiencies (France)
Dec. 21, 2022: Loose screws found at transport packages holding fuel assemblies shipped by Framatome's Romans-sur-Isère nuclear fuel fabrication plant (France)
Dec. 16, 2022: Violation of criticality rules at Framatome's FBFC Romans nuclear fuel fabrication plant (France)
Dec. 7, 2022: Undeclared hazardous material discovered in waste shipment from Framatome Richland nuclear fuel plant (Washington)
Oct. 21, 2022: Appeals court orders additional analysis of environmental impacts of Nitrate treatment plant (TDN) project at Orano's Malvési conversion plant (France)
Oct. 11, 2022: Fire at Orano's Malvési uranium conversion plant (France)
Sep. 27, 2022: Violation of criticality rules at Framatome's FBFC Romans nuclear fuel fabrication plant (France)
Sep. 21, 2022: Fire at Framatome's FBFC Romans nuclear fuel fabrication plant (France)
Sep. 20, 2022: ASN finds operational rigor "not satisfactory" at Orano's TU5 uranyl nitrate conversion plant and Usine W depleted uranium deconversion plant (France)
Aug. 2, 2022: Ammonia leak at McClean Lake uranium mill (Saskatchewan)
July 27, 2022: Ammonia leak at McClean Lake uranium mill (Saskatchewan)
June 2, 2022: French kidnapped in Niger in 2010: Areva indicted for "involuntary injuries"
May 27, 2022: Sedimentation pond leak at McClean Lake uranium mill (Saskatchewan)
May 12, 2022: Loss of criticality safety controls at Framatome Richland nuclear fuel plant (Washington)
Apr. 20, 2022: Jury condemns Orano for misleading public on recycling of nuclear fuel (France)
Mar. 30, 2022: Violation of criticality rules at Orano Tricastin site (France)
Mar. 16, 2022: Brugeaud tailings dam unstable in severe seismic situations(!) (France)
Mar. 16, 2022: Stability of Montmassacrot tailings dam does not meet required safety margins(!) (France)
Feb. 10, 2022: Tailings spill at McClean Lake uranium mill (Saskatchewan)
Feb. 4, 2022: Violation of criticality rules at Framatome's FBFC Romans nuclear fuel fabrication plant (France)
Jan. 17, 2022: Two people killed in collapse at decommissioning Akouta uranium mine (Niger)
Jan. 7, 2022: Violation of criticality rules at Framatome's ANF Lingen nuclear fuel plant (Germany)
Dec. 22, 2021: U.S. NRC cites two violations with quality assurance for UF₆ cylinders at Orano NCS in Germany
Dec. 8, 2021: Technician contaminated with uranyl nitrate solution at Framatome Richland nuclear fuel plant (Washington)
Dec. 6, 2021: Contaminated uranium slurry transport container received at Cigar Lake mine (Saskatchewan)
Dec. 1, 2021: Release of radioactive material at McClean Lake uranium mill (Saskatchewan)
Nov. 23, 2021: Spill of tailings reclaim water at McClean Lake uranium mill (Saskatchewan)
Oct. 12, 2021: Uranyl nitrate spill at Framatome Richland nuclear fuel plant (Washington)
Sep. 21, 2021: Violation of criticality rules at Framatome's FBFC Romans nuclear fuel fabrication plant (France)
Aug. 18, 2021: Overflow from water-covered St-Priest-la-Prugne uranium mill tailings dam ran into river, again (France)
July 11, 2021: Two contaminated uranium slurry transport containers received at Cigar Lake mine (Saskatchewan)
July 1, 2021: Orano ordered to pay EUR 30,000 fine for work accident at Malvési uranium conversion plant (France)
June 7, 2021: Spill of UF₄ at Orano's Pierrelatte uranium conversion plant (France)
May 14, 2021: Violation of criticality rules at Framatome's FBFC Romans nuclear fuel fabrication plant (France)
Apr. 29, 2021: Elevated radiation levels detected near Orano's Malvesi conversion plant (France)
Apr. 19, 2021: Violation of criticality rules at Framatome's FBFC Romans nuclear fuel fabrication plant (France)
Apr. 13, 2021: Violation of criticality rules at Framatome's FBFC Romans nuclear fuel fabrication plant (France)
Mar. 17, 2021: Violation of criticality rules at Framatome's FBFC Romans nuclear fuel fabrication plant (France)
Feb. 26, 2021: Violation of criticality rules at MELOX MOX fuel plant (France)
Jan. 27, 2021: Framatome, again, exports nuclear fuel from its Lingen (Germany) plant without valid export license (!) - now to ailing Doel reactors in Belgium
Jan. 20, 2021: Violation of criticality rules at Framatome's FBFC Romans nuclear fuel fabrication plant (France)
Jan. 12, 2021: Framatome sends two batches of nuclear fuel from its Lingen (Germany) plant to Switzerland without valid export license

Dec. 30, 2017: Violation of criticality rules at FBFC Romans nuclear fuel fabrication plant (France)
Oct. 9, 2017: Three workers exposed to fumes from burning depleted uranium shavings near Areva's Tricastin site (France)
Aug. 22, 2017: Stability 'anomaly' identified in flood protection dike at Areva Tricastin site (France)
Jun. 25, 2017: Violation of criticality rules at MELOX MOX fuel plant (France)
May 16, 2017: Appeals Court sanctions violations of criticality rules at Areva's FBFC Romans nuclear fuel fabrication plant (France)
Apr. 13, 2017: Areva called to order by NGOs over obligations of transparency regarding uranium mining in Niger
Mar. 31, 2017: Activists start court action over 'fraudulent' uranium deal (Niger)
Mar. 17, 2017: Niger's parliament to investigate 'uraniumgate' sale
Mar. 4, 2017: Radiation levels at uranium mine sites reclaimed by Areva still 10 to 50 times background (France)
Feb. 24, 2017: Violation of radiation protection rules at FBFC Romans nuclear fuel fabrication plant (France)
Feb. 17, 2017: Violation of criticality rules at Areva's Pierrelatte conversion plant (France)
Feb. 17, 2017: Violation of safety rules at decommissioning EURODIF enrichment plant (France)
Jan. 25, 2017: ASN inspection notes safety culture failure at Areva's Georges Besse II centrifuge enrichment plant (France)
Jan. 16, 2017: Violation of criticality rules at Areva's Georges Besse II centrifuge enrichment plant (France)

Dec. 10, 2015: Violation of criticality rules at Areva's Tricastin site (France)
Nov. 19, 2015: Small release of uranium hexafluoride from a cylinder valve at Areva's Tricastin site
Oct. 16, 2015: Violation of criticality rules at Areva's Pierrelatte conversion plant (France)
Oct. 16, 2015: Violation of criticality rules at Areva's Tricastin site (France)
Sep. 24, 2015: Violation of criticality rules at FBFC Romans nuclear fuel fabrication plant (France)
Sep. 15, 2015: Violation of criticality rules at decommissioning EURODIF enrichment plant (France)
Sep. 10, 2015: High Court condemns Areva for disregard of environmental regulations at Malvési conversion plant (France)
Sep. 3, 2015: Violation of criticality rules at Areva's Tricastin site (France)
June 23, 2015: Nuclear Safety Authority ASN keeps Areva's FBFC Romans nuclear fuel fabrication plant under tightened oversight (France)
May 6, 2015: Judicial investigation opened on irregularities in the Central African Republic at the occasion of Areva's acquisition of Uramin
Jan. 22, 2015: Cutter strokes found on railcar carrying depleted U₃O₈ from Tricastin (France) to the Netherlands
Jan. 21, 2015: Appeals Court dismisses Areva's legal action against "defamatory" statement of anti-nuclear activist
Jan. 7, 2015: ASN finds pollution prevention at Areva's Georges Besse II centrifuge enrichment plant 'not satisfactory' (France)

Dec. 10, 2014: Atmospheric deposition causes high activities of uranium and thorium nuclides in plant samples near Areva's Malvési conversion plant, study finds (France)
Dec. 10, 2014: Violation of criticality rules at Areva's Tricastin site (France)
Dec. 9, 2014: Spill of uranyl nitrate at Areva's Tricastin site (France)
Dec. 2, 2014: Violation of criticality rules at FBFC Romans nuclear fuel fabrication plant (France)
Nov. 25, 2014: Violation of criticality rules at MELOX MOX fuel plant (France)
Nov. 10, 2014: Loss of criticality safety controls at Areva Richland, WA, nuclear fuel plant (Washington)
Nov. 6, 2014: Insuffient pressure used in tests of 160 UF₆ cylinders at Areva's Tricastin site (France)
Oct. 24, 2014: Flawed UF₆ cylinder tests at Areva's Tricastin site (France)
Oct. 15, 2014: Violation of criticality rules at FBFC nuclear fuel fabrication plant (France)
Oct. 3, 2014: Inspection on criticality safety brings "unacceptable" practices to light at FBFC Romans nuclear fuel plant (France)
Sep. 30, 2014: Violation of criticality rules at FBFC nuclear fuel fabrication plant (France)
Sep. 24, 2014: Anomaly with chlorine trifluoride at decommissioning EURODIF enrichment plant (France)
Sep. 22, 2014: Violation of criticality rules at FBFC nuclear fuel fabrication plant (France)
Sep. 2, 2014: Violation of criticality rules at FBFC nuclear fuel fabrication plant (France)
Aug. 25, 2014: Areva fails to perform inspections of lifting lugs of 48Y transport cylinders for uranium hexafluoride (France)
July 31, 2014: ASN makes further operation of MELOX MOX fuel fabrication plant conditional upon safety improvements (France)
July 29, 2014: Violation of criticality rules at decommissioning EURODIF enrichment plant (France)
July 10, 2014: Nuclear fuel fabrication workers still receive highest individual radiation doses in France's nuclear sector - though slightly lower than in previous year
June 16, 2014: Event at FBFC nuclear fuel fabrication plant (France)
June 9, 2014: Uranium mine waste rock found on camping ground leads to considerable gamma dose rates (France)
Apr. 29, 2014: Container holding enriched uranium powder accidentally cut up at FBFC nuclear fuel fabrication plant (France)
Mar. 27, 2014: Family evacuated from Limousin area home built with uranium mill tailings backfill and used for childcare (France)
Mar. 19, 2014: Shunting engine derailed when leaving Tricastin site with railcars transporting depleted U₃O₈
Feb. 27, 2014: Violation of criticality rules at FBFC nuclear fuel fabrication plant (France)
Feb. 7, 2014: Court condemns anti-nuclear activist for "defamation" of Areva
Feb. 6, 2014: Hundreds protest against Areva in Niamey (Niger)
Jan. 15, 2014: Failure in brake system of railcar transporting depleted U₃O₈ from Tricastin (France) to the Netherlands

Dec. 21, 2013: Protesters in Niamey call on Areva to pay more tax for uranium sales (Niger)
Dec. 18, 2013: Faulty welds detected at lifting lugs of a batch of 48Y transport cylinders for uranium hexafluoride (France)
Dec. 16, 2013: Areva wants to use decommissioning funds of Eurodif enrichment plant for construction of nuclear power plant in the UK
Nov. 27, 2013: Court of Cassation upholds conviction of Areva for 2008 uranium spill in Tricastin (France)
Nov. 26, 2013: Truck with low-level waste from FBFC nuclear fuel plant in accident (France)
Nov. 22, 2013: Oxfam denounces unbalanced partnership between Areva and Niger
Nov. 19, 2013: Areva wins defamatory Pinocchio Award for opening museum glorifying former uranium mining in Limousin area (France)
Nov. 15, 2013: Uranium spill at Areva's effluent treatment plant in Tricastin (France)
Oct. 31, 2013: Release of depleted U₃O₈ at Areva's Usine W deconversion plant (France)
Oct. 12, 2013: Thousands protest in Arlit against Areva (Niger)
Sep. 30, 2013: Anomaly with chlorine trifluoride at decommissioning EURODIF enrichment plant (France)
Sep. 19, 2013: Violation of criticality rules at FBFC nuclear fuel fabrication plant (France)
Aug. 21, 2013: ASN finds conditions at gas washing plant of decommissioning EURODIF enrichment plant 'not satisfactory' (France)
Jul. 29, 2013: ASN orders Areva to improve emergency management measures at Tricastin and Romans-sur-Isère nuclear fuel facility sites after deadline exceeded (France)
Jul. 23, 2013: Nuclear fuel fabrication workers receive highest individual radiation doses in France's nuclear sector
Jun. 20, 2013: Activists hold blockades of Comurhex Malvesi conversion plant (France)
Jun. 20, 2013: Activists hold blockades of Tricastin enrichment plant (France)
Jun. 6, 2013: French uranium activist network complains about deficiencies with cleanup of France's former uranium mine sites
May 21, 2013: Violation of criticality rules at Areva's Georges Besse II centrifuge enrichment plant (France)
Apr. 8, 2013: Violation of criticality rules at Areva's Georges Besse II centrifuge enrichment plant (France)
Apr. 5, 2013: Protests in Niger against Areva
Feb. 6, 2013: Violation of criticality rules at FBFC nuclear fuel fabrication plant (France)
Jan. 21, 2013: Railcar with depleted U₃O₈ destined for the Netherlands derailed in France
Jan. 17, 2013: 1,600 tonnes of scrap metal from Areva's uranium mines in Niger entered the public domain - with some lots radioactive

December 20, 2012: Violation of criticality rules at FBFC nuclear fuel fabrication plant (France)
December 20, 2012: Areva takes legal action against "defamatory" statement of anti-nuclear activist
December 18, 2012: NGO Sherpa terminates agreement with Areva on health monitoring around its mining sites in Niger and Gabon
November 27, 2012: Cameco and Areva offer deal to northern community of Pinehouse - in exchange for suppression of any criticism or opposition (Saskatchewan)
November 19, 2012: MELOX plant ships MOX fuel elements in uncertified container models (France)
November 13, 2012: Areva receives "Pinocchio Award" for environmental impact of its uranium mines in Niger
November 12, 2012: Areva Richland fuel facility's shipments of UO₂ powder to Japan routinely violated criticality safety rules (Washington)
November 9, 2012: ASN finds radiation protection at decommissioning EURODIF enrichment plant 'unsatisfactory' (France)
October 31, 2012: Violation of criticality rules at FBFC nuclear fuel fabrication plant re-rated INES level 2 (France)
October 25, 2012: Niger considers partnership with Areva "very unbalanced"
October 12, 2012: Hole opens in the ground above tunnels of former La Vedrenne uranium mine (France)
October 5, 2012: Worker falls to death at Areva's Trekkopje uranium mine project (Namibia)
October 4, 2012: ASN finds conditions at effluent treatment plant of decommissioning EURODIF enrichment plant 'unsatisfactory' (France)
September 27, 2012: Violation of criticality rules at FBFC nuclear fuel fabrication plant (France)
September 8, 2012: Small fire in ventilation system of AREVA's Richland nuclear fuel plant (Washington)
July 26, 2012: Uranium hexafluoride cylinder overfilled at Comurhex Pierrelatte conversion plant (France)
July 5, 2012: Anomaly with depleted UF₆ cylinder at Eurodif enrichment plant (France)
June 27, 2012: CRIIRAD criticizes Areva's survey of cleanup of old uranium mines in the Puy-de-Dome department (France)
June 25, 2012: Residual plutonium from former processing of recycled uranium still circulating in and between Comurhex conversion plants (France)
June 12, 2012: Recycling rather than disposal of the contaminated steel resulting from dismantling of the Eurodif enrichment plant? (France)
May 31, 2012: Areva wins legal case against Saskatchewan over royalties for McClean Lake uranium mine
May 15, 2012: Uranium hexafluoride cylinders mixed up at Comurhex Pierrelatte conversion plant (France)
May 11, 2012: ASN finds radiation protection at FBFC nuclear fuel fabrication plant 'not satisfactory' (France)
May 11, 2012: Areva condemned for lung cancer death of former employee at Akouta uranium mine in Niger
May 6, 2012: City of Erlangen denies to accept funds collected by group to replace Areva's sponsoring of local Poetry Festival (!)
April 12, 2012: Violation of criticality rules at FBFC nuclear fuel fabrication plant (France)
April 1, 2012: Respirable uranium particles found on cypress leaves close to Comurhex Malvési uranium conversion plant (France)
March 13, 2012: ASN lays injunction on Areva to complete decommissioning of former COGEMA/SICN nuclear fuel fabrication plant at Veurey-Voroize (France)
February 20, 2012: ASN identifies deficiencies that led to overfilling of 48Y cylinder at Eurodif enrichment plant (France)

December 21, 2011: Areva/Comurhex condemned to 60,000 Euro in fines for 2009 water pollution incident at Malvési conversion plant (France)
December 19, 2011: Group succeeds in collecting the amount of Euro 15,000 to replace Areva's sponsorship for local cultural event in Erlangen (Germany)
October 20, 2011: Dose rate at boundary of Areva's Pierrelatte conversion plant exceeds 1 mSv standard (France)
September 30, 2011: Appeals court finds Areva guilty of 2008 uranium spill in Tricastin and imposes 300,000 EUR fine (France)
September 16, 2011: ASN releases supplemental safety reports on French nuclear fuel facilities prepared in wake of Fukushima disaster; Areva impedes download of its reports
August 30, 2011: Uranium concentration in surface water at Areva's Shirley Basin tailings site exceeds drinking water standard (Wyoming)
August 29, 2011: Suspected theft of yellow cake from Areva's Trekkopje uranium mine (Namibia)
August 8, 2011: UF6 cylinder heated at Eurodif plant without connection to installations (France)
July 22, 2011: Faulty locking device at overpack of UF6 cylinder in yard of Eurodif enrichment plant - again (France)
July 19, 2011: Radioactive material from former uranium mines found dispersed in Limousin area (France)
July 5, 2011: Contamination incident at MELOX MOX fuel plant (France)
June 30, 2011: Protest against train carrying uranium oxide passing through station of Valence (France)
June 27, 2011: Group wants Areva replaced as sponsor of cultural event (Germany):
Under the slogan "Poesie ohne Uranstaub " (Poetry without uranium dust), a citizens' group is trying to find a replacement for Areva as a sponsor for the 2012 installment of the annual Poetenfest (Poetry Festival) in Erlangen, Germany. Areva donates Euro 15,000 annually for the festival.
On Dec. 19, 2011, the group announced that it had actually succeeded in collecting the amount of Euro 15,000.
On May 6, 2012, the group announced that the organizer of the festival, the City of Erlangen, has denied to accept the collected funds (!). The group suspects that the city did not want to risk spoiling Areva's generosity in other sectors.
June 20, 2011: Areva tried to prevent nomination of Koongarra uranium deposit site for inclusion into Kakadu National Park (Australia)
June 7, 2011: Areva ordered to remove illegally disposed decommissioning wastes in former Limousin uranium mining area (France)
May 30, 2011: UF6 container overfilled at Eurodif enrichment plant (France)
May 24, 2011: Violation of criticality rules at Cadarache MOX fuel fabrication plant (France)
May 23, 2011: Suit filed against Areva for inappropriate disposal of decommissioning wastes in former Limousin uranium mining area (France)
May 12, 2011: Faulty locking devices at overpack of UF6 cylinders (France)
March 11, 2011: Loss of criticality safety controls at Areva Richland, WA, nuclear fuel plant
March 8, 2011: 200 homes to be demolished for excess radiation at Areva's former uranium mine site in Mounana (Gabon)

December 30, 2010: Violation of criticality rules at Cadarache MOX fuel fabrication plant (France)
December 17, 2010: Dam failure of retention basin spills 200 cubic metres of uranium-containing liquids at Arlit mine (Niger)
November 9, 2010: Violation of criticality rules at Cadarache MOX fuel fabrication plant (France)
October 29, 2010: U.S. NRC denies request to postpone the initiation of decommissioning of Areva's Lynchburg nuclear fuel plant (Virginia)
October 14, 2010: Court clears Areva of water pollution charges in uranium spill case at Tricastin nuclear site, but imposes EUR 40,000 penalty for neglect to report the accident immediately (France)
September 26, 2010: Niger citizens file class action in USA against Areva
September 17, 2010: Study finds elevated uranium levels in groundwater near Tricastin nuclear site partly caused by former site activities (France)
August 16, 2010: NGO calls for independent study on radiological situation in Mounana (Gabon)
August 10, 2010: U.S. NRC identifies willful falsification of documents at Areva NP's Richland nuclear fuel plant (Washington)
August 10, 2010: Advocacy group opposes pre-construction exemption for Areva's Eagle Rock enrichment plant (Idaho)
June 17, 2010: 100,000 Euro penalty demanded on uranium spills at Tricastin nuclear site (France)
June 9, 2010: French wine appellation "Coteaux du Tricastin" wins name change after uranium spill
May 17, 2010: Areva ignores bookkeeping requirements on isotopic composition of depleted uranium stored at Bessines site (France)
May 10, 2010: Release of fluorine and nitrogen at Comurhex Pierrelatte conversion plant (France)
April 27, 2010: U.S. NRC issues Confirmatory Order to Areva NP's nuclear fuel processing facility in Richland, Wash.
April 19, 2010: Inspector calls for improvement of water treatment at Bellezane tailings site (France)
April 13, 2010: Greenpeace protests arrival of French depleted uranium hexafluoride in St. Petersburg (Russia)
April 12, 2010: Death of aquatic life near desalination plant of Areva's Trekkopje uranium mine (Namibia)
April 8, 2010: In the North Sea, Greenpeace attaches protest banner at vessel carrying depleted uranium from France to Russia
April 6, 2010: At Tricastin, France, Greenpeace blocks train carrying depleted uranium destined for Russia
March 29, 2010: Greenpeace accuses Areva of neglecting health of Nigeriens
March 27, 2010: Crystallizer overfilled at Eurodif enrichment plant - again (France)
March 24, 2010: Greenpeace protests in St Petersburg and Moscow against import of French depleted uranium to Russia
March 17, 2010: Greenpeace protests in Moscow against import of French depleted uranium to Russia
March 15, 2010: Crystallizer overfilled at Eurodif enrichment plant (France)
March 12, 2010: At harbor of Montoir-de-Bretagne, France, Greenpeace disturbs loading of vessel destined for Russia with depleted uranium hexafluoride
March 11, 2010: Near Paris, France, Greenpeace blocks train carrying depleted uranium hexafluoride destined for Russia, calls for moratorium on nuclear waste exports
March 5, 2010: Protests over circumstances of Areva's uranium mining activities in Niger
February 16, 2010: At Tricastin, France, Greenpeace blocks train carrying depleted uranium hexafluoride destined for Russia
February 11, 2010: Worker contaminated in glove box accident at MELOX fuel fabrication plant (France)
February 9, 2010: Toxic waste dumped on former Mounana uranium mine site? (Gabon)
January 29, 2010: Decantation basin which failed in 2004 at the Malvési conversion plant contains traces of artificial radionuclides (France)
January 24, 2010: At Cherbourg (France), activisits block train carrying depleted uranium hexafluoride destined for Russia
January 4, 2010: Nuclear Safety Authority finds that decantation basin which failed in 2004 at the Malvési conversion plant is not properly authorized; control over two basins withdrawn from Comurhex/Areva (France)

December 7, 2009: Survey still identifies elevated radiation levels around decommissioned Mounana uranium mine site (Gabon)
December 7, 2009: At Cherbourg (France), Greenpeace blocks train carrying depleted uranium hexafluoride destined for Russia
November 27, 2009: Nuclear Safety Authority condemns poor management of Areva/Comurhex Pierrelatte uranium conversion plant (France)
November 26, 2009: Greenpeace survey still finds excessive radiation levels in Niger's uranium mining towns
November 17, 2009: Uranium-containing slurries detected in rainwater collection system of FBFC Romans nuclear fuel fabrication plant (France)
November 6, 2009: MOX fuel lots mixed up at MELOX fuel fabrication plant (France)
October 25, 2009: Surplus enriched uranium found at Cadarache MOX fuel fabrication plant (France)
October 21, 2009: Loss of criticality safety controls at Areva Richland nuclear fuel plant (Washington)
October 15, 2009: ASN suspends dismantling work at Cadarache MOX fuel fabrication plant for undeclared criticality hazard (France)
August 25, 2009: Release of fluorine from Comurhex Malvési conversion plant to the canal du Tauran (France)
August 19, 2009: U.S. NRC denies Areva NP's request to withhold Advanced Notifications of Export Shipments from public disclosure
August 12, 2009: Athabasca Regional Government challenges license renewal for McClean Lake mine and mill (Saskatchewan)
July 24, 2009: Security guard falsified access authorization forms at AREVA NP Inc. Richland nuclear fuel plant (Washington)
April 21, 2009: Elevated uranium concentrations found in groundwater on site of Malvési conversion plant (France)
April 21, 2009: Elevated contaminant concentrations found in surface waters near Malvési conversion plant after thunderstorm (France)
March 30, 2009: NGO demands public release of the contract on uranium exploration and exploitation concluded between the DR Congo and Areva
March 26, 2009: NGOs urge Areva to respect the environment and the health of the residents at its uranium mines in Niger
March 4, 2009: Violation of criticality rules at MELOX MOX fuel plant (France)
February 3, 2009: Violation of criticality rules at EURODIF enrichment plant (France)
January 30, 2009: Areva trying to block TV documentary on residual contamination left around former uranium mine sites in France

December 15, 2008: Tricastin nuclear site partly flooded (France)
December 12, 2008: Protest in St Petersburg against arrival of depleted uranium shipment from France
September 24, 2008: Elevated uranium concentration found in groundwater at former COGEMA/SICN nuclear fuel fabrication plant at Veurey-Voroize (France)
September 24, 2008: Uranium concentration in groundwater near Pierrelatte conversion plant exceeds WHO drinking water guidance (France)
September 24, 2008: Uranium concentration in surface waters near Malvési conversion plant exceeds WHO drinking water guidance (France)
August 22, 2008: Uranium leak in sewage system of Comurhex Pierrelatte conversion plant (France)
July 29, 2008: U.S. NRC issues Notice of Violation to Shaw Areva MOX Services for deficiencies during MOX fuel plant construction (South Carolina)
July 24, 2008: French wine appellation "Coteaux du Tricastin" seeks name change after uranium spill
July 22, 2008: Elevated radiation levels found at former Rosglas uranium mine site (Bretagne, France)
July 20, 2008: Niger's Tuareg rebels demand share of uranium revenue
July 17, 2008: Leak detected in sewage system of FBFC Romans nuclear fuel fabrication plant (France)
July 16, 2008: Uranium concentrations in groundwater still elevated at a few locations near Tricastin plant, possibly unrelated to recent uranium spill (France)
July 11, 2008: French Nuclear Safety Authority orders shutdown of SOCATRI Tricastin plant after uranium spill
July 8, 2008: Uranium-containing waste liquid spills at Tricastin nuclear site (France)
July 2, 2008: Cleanup at former St-Priest-la-Prugne uranium mine still uncomplete (Loire, France)
June 20, 2008: Criticality rules violated at FBFC nuclear fuel fabrication plant, Romans-sur-Isère (Drôme, France)
May 30, 2008: Bellona stages protest against arrival of depleted uranium shipment from France at St Petersburg port (Russia)
March 5, 2008: Cogema seeks approval for groundwater restoration at Christensen Ranch in-situ leach site (Wyoming) - with uranium levels still up to 27 times the target restoration value and up to 128 times the drinking water standard
January 23, 2008: Areva receives Public Eye Award as one of "the world's most irresponsible companies" for its uranium mining operations in Niger

December 6, 2007: Unexpected criticality hazard found in Tricastin enrichment plant (France)
November 29, 2007: Elevated radiation levels found around decommissioned St Pierre du Cantal uranium mine site (France)
November 23, 2007: Areva signs contract on construction of desalination plant for Trekkopje mine project - even before environmental assessment and feasibility studies concluded
November 13, 2007: Areva has no scruples about taking advantage of Namibia's very special regulatory regime: Draft Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Report for Trekkopje Uranium Project available for comment - for just two weeks
September 8, 2007: Hundreds march in Niger against Areva
August 29, 2007: Niger civil society claims US$ 640 million from AREVA in damages
July 17, 2007: Spill at Marcoule waste water treatment plant (France)
May 29, 2007: Violation of criticality rules at MELOX MOX fuel plant (France)
May 15, 2007: NGOs demand immediate removal of radioactive material found in the streets of Akokan (Niger)
April 6, 2007: U.S. NRC schedules conference with Areva to discuss apparent violations at its Richland, Wash. fuel facility
April 4, 2007: NGOs denounce health and environmental situation at Areva's former Mounana uranium mine, Gabon
March 29, 2007: Regulator cites Eurodif for failure to report criticality-related event in enrichment plant (France)
March 21, 2007: ASN orders CEA to clear former Cadarache MOX fuel plant of all nuclear material by end June 2008 (France)
January 9, 2007: ASN upgrades Cadarache MOX fuel plant incident to level 2 on INES scale (France)

November 14, 2006: CRIIRAD finds unexpected radionuclide concentrations in slurries at Comurhex Malvési conversion plant (France)
October 23, 2006: Workers exposed to hydrogen fluoride (HF) release at Areva NP, Inc., Richland nuclear fuel plant (Washington)
October 12, 2006: IRSN demands cleanup of soil contaminated from spills at Comurhex Malvési plant (France)
July 24, 2006: New spill of slurries at Comurhex Malvési conversion plant went undetected for one month (France)
June 30, 2006: Criticality rules violated at TU5 conversion facility (France)
March 5, 2006: New spill at Comurhex Malvési conversion plant (France)
January 30, 2006: Production halted at Malvési conversion plant after new spill and for decantation pond dam failure hazard after heavy rain (France)

December 7, 2005: Greenpeace tries to block entry of depleted uranium shipment from France into St Petersburg port (Russia)
December 1, 2005: Greenpeace blocks depleted uranium export to Russia at Le Havre (France)
November 21, 2005: Areva/Cogéma receives rather poor rating for environmental issues at Niger uranium mines
September 23, 2005: Areva/Cogema sees "moral obligation" for uranium mining countries to take back spent fuel
June 24, 2005: Cogéma to appear before the Criminal Court of Limoges for pollution at former uranium mine sites in the Limousin area (France)
April 25, 2005: CRIIRAD releases studies on impacts of uranium mining in Niger

November 10, 2004: Hearings granted on COGEMA request for relaxed groundwater restoration standards at Holiday/El Mesquite uranium ISL mines
November 3, 2004: Appeals Court finally decides that Cogema has to appear in Criminal Court on alleged pollution at old uranium mine sites in France
October 2004: High radiation levels found at abandoned Vatovory mine (Madagascar), formerly mined by Cogéma's predecessor CEA
July 22, 2004: The inglorious legacy of COGEMA in Gabon
May 17, 2004: Violation of criticality rule at FBFC nuclear fuel fabrication plant, Romans-sur-Isère (France)
April 28, 2004: Elevated radiation levels found at decommissioned St Pierre du Cantal uranium mine site (France)
March 25, 2004: Appeals court sends Cogema back before Criminal Court on pollution at old uranium mine sites (France)
March 20, 2004: Dam failure of decantation pond at Malvési conversion plant (France)
February 4, 2004: FBFC Romans nuclear fuel fabrication plant applies for capacity increase (France)
February 4, 2004: Authorities trying to locate disseminated material from former St-Priest-la-Prugne uranium mine (France)
January 28, 2004: Uranium spill at Comurhex Pierrelatte conversion plant (France)

December 18, 2003: Independent radiation surveys at Niger uranium mines obstructed
October 29, 2003: ASN cites Comurhex on deficiencies at Pierrelatte conversion plant (France)
August 18, 2003: Judge sends Cogema back before Criminal Court for pollution at old uranium mines in Limoges area (France)
July 22, 2003: Violation of criticality rule at FBFC nuclear fuel fabrication plant, Romans-sur-Isère (France)
February 21, 2003: Violation of criticality rule at FBFC Romans nuclear fuel fabrication plant (France)
January 16, 2003: Elevated radiation found near MELOX MOX fuel plant (France)

October 8, 2002: Elevated radiation found around Tricastin nuclear site (France)
September 24, 2002: Court quashes McClean Lake operating license (Saskatchewan)
September 7, 2002: Judicial inquiry on pollution at old uranium mine sites initiated against Cogema (France)
March 16, 2002: Explosion at Cogéma Pierrelatte TU5 conversion facility (France)
January 30, 2002: TNRCC issues orders assessing penalties against COGEMA in-situ leach mines (Texas)

November 2001: Cleanup of old uranium mines in Puy-de-Dôme department demanded (France)
October 20, 2001: Comurhex Pierrelatte uranium conversion plant flooded (France)

August 3, 1999: Dumping of uranium conversion waste near Pierrelatte stopped (France)

April 15, 1998: Cogema fined for spill at McClean Lake, Saskatchewan
March 26, 1998: No license renewal for Cogema's Cluff Lake uranium mine (Canada)
February 6, 1998: AECB scathes Cogema's management of Cluff Lake uranium mine (Canada)

HOME WISE Uranium Project > Mining & Milling > Industry > Companies > Areva >