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(last updated 6 Dec 2024)

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Beaurepaire · Bellezane · Bertholène · Bessines · Grury · Gueugnon · La Fraisse · La Vedrenne · Le Bernardan · Le Bouchet · l'Écarpière · Lodève · Masgrimauds · Pen ar Ran · Prat Mérien · Rophin · Rosglas · St Hippolyte · St Pierre du Cantal · St-Priest-la-Prugne · Vignaud

> See also Issues for: New Mining Projects · Operating Mines · Legislation & Regulations
> See also Data for: Deposits, Proposed and Active Mines · Old Mines and Decommissioning

General

> See also: National Reports for Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management (IAEA)

 

In view of increasing number of ground collapses above former uranium mines in France, group calls for preventive measures

April 2024, Grury (Saône-et-Loire). A horse falls into a 15 to 20 m deep hole that suddenly appeared in a field. In 2006, in Saint-Julien-aux-Bois (Corrèze), it was a calf that had fallen 6 meters in a similar context.
Common point of these episodes: it is old underground works of uranium mines that are at the origin of the collapses, the frequency of which has increased in recent months. There is an event in Saint-Priest-La-Prugne (Loire) in February 2024, and another in Razès (Haute-Vienne) in November 2023.
Climate change is the cause: according to the operator Orano Mining, the collapse of Grury is most likely due to "the heavy rainfall of recent months, in volume and intensity, which was preceded by periods of intense drought in 2023".
For the moment, no human casualties to deplore, but until when? As long as the land is undeveloped, fenced and not accessible to the public, the risk is limited, but for many of the 250 former uranium mining sites in France, spread across 27 departments, this is not the case. For example, in La Chapelle-Largeau (Deux-Sèvres), recent housing developments have been built overlooking underground mining works, and there is a worrying undulation of the ground of nearby sports fields. What will happen the day an accident occurs on an old site such as this one, for which the operator, Orano, benefits from exemptions from constraints?
The risk of collapse is added to all the others, linked in particular to the radioactivity left on many sites by mining operators. A situation that has been denounced for several decades by member organizations of the Uranium Mines Collective: water and air pollution, dispersion and reuse of radioactive waste, contaminated land sold to individuals and companies, etc.
However, from the moment the operator has declared the cessation of mining work, and the redevelopment measures prescribed by the authorities have been carried out, the site no longer falls under the mining code, but under common law: responsibility for the site then falls to the State, local authorities and individuals. The operator remains subject to an obligation to remediate and monitor the site, but only for 30 years, and this obligation is lifted if the equipment (in particular the water treatment plants) is transferred to the State.
This is why the Uranium Mines Collective is alerting communities, companies and private owners who own plots of land located on the right-of-way of former mining sites or land impacted by the reuse of radioactive backfill or by uncontrolled runoff: it is now that we must demand the decontamination and safety of the sites by the operator, as well as the exhaustive inventory of polluted land, because tomorrow it will be too late.
Administrations must set up easements (cadastres - PLU, etc.): prevention for users and information on these places so that buyers are not trapped by these risks, especially since the regulations are not interpreted and applied in the same way throughout France. (Press release of Collectif Mines d'Uranium, CRIIRAD Dec. 5, 2024)

> See also: Hole opens in the ground above tunnels of former La Vedrenne uranium mine (Corrèze)
> See also: Ground collapses above Orano's former La Fraisse uranium mine (Haute Vienne)
> See also: Ground collapse at former La Faye uranium mine, Grury (Saône-et-Loire)

Working group recommends better assessement and management of seismic and climatic hazards for the stability of uranium mill tailings dams

Within the framework of the national plan for the management of radioactive materials and waste (PNGMDR), a sub-working group, bringing together all the stakeholders concerned by the uranium mining issue, has been tasked with developing the assessment doctrine the long-term performance of the structures surrounding the uranium ore processing residue disposal sites. In this perspective, the members of the working group made ten recommendations, which are detailed in this report. The objective is to enable Orano Mining to carry out studies concerning the assessment of the resistance of the structures surrounding the uranium ore processing residue disposal sites according to the methodology described in this report, and thus to verify and guarantee the robustness of these works in the long term.
> Download: Rapport du groupe de travail relatif à l'évaluation de la tenue des ouvrages ceinturant les stockages de résidus de traitement de minerais d'uranium , Version de juillet 2022 (3.5MB PDF - in French)

CRIIRAD: it is time for action on unresolved issues with decommissioned uranium mines

France has more than 250 former uranium mines in 27 departments. Although the last one closed 20 years ago, radioactive contamination of the environment remains a concern around many sites.
In recent months, [independent radiation monitoring laboratory] CRIIRAD and field associations have been able to identify a number of unacceptable situations: The citizens and local elected officials concerned must become aware of this reality and put pressure on those responsible. (CRIIRAD Apr. 20, 2021)

French Nuclear Safety Authority calls for improvements with management of decommissioned uranium mine sites

On Feb. 24, 2021, the French Nuclear Safety Authority issued a statement on the management of former uranium mining sites in the country. Main points of the statement are: > View: ASN release Feb. 24, 2021 (in French)
> Download: Avis no 2021-AV-0374 de l'Autorité de sûreté nucléaire du 4 février 2021 sur les études relatives à la gestion des résidus de traitement miniers d'uranium et des stériles miniers d'uranium (in French)

Environmental guidance values for uranium in waters downstream from former uranium mines in France not met at four sites, at least

For 8 of the 15 former uranium mining sites in France, site-specific environmental guidance values (VGE) have been established for uranium concentrations in stream water. Depending on local factors, the VGEs have been chosen in the range of 1 - 30 µg/L. As the standard for soluble Uranium-238 in effluents is 1.8 mg/L, these guidance values are only met with sufficient dilution.
Modeling for 7 of these 8 sites has shown that the respective guidance values are not met for 4 of these sites, at least: Les Bois Noirs, Le Cellier, Jouac-Bernardan, and Silord.
> Download: Bilan d'étape sur la gestion des stations de traitement des eaux des anciens sites uranifères français, PNGMDR 2016-2018 , AREVA Mines, Décembre 2017 [released on May 24, 2019] (7.3MB PDF - in French)

Concerned groups call parliament to lauch information mission on environmental situation at former uranium mine and mill sites in France

At the annual meeting held on May 19-21, 2018, in Valence, the local groups organized in the Collectif Mines d'Uranium (CMU) launched a call to the National Assembly for the installation of a parliamentary information mission to investigate the environmental situation at the former uranium mine and mill sites in France.
For several years, the CMU denounces many unacceptable situations: contaminated sites with unrestricted access, radioactive materials spread for backfilling courtyards, roads and even for the construction of houses and other buildings. (CRIIRAD May 31, 2018)

Radiation levels at uranium mine sites reclaimed by Areva still 10 to 50 times background

Monitoring performed at several former uranium mine sites across France that were recently reclaimed by Areva still reveiled gamma radiation levels between 10 - 50 times background.
> Download: CRII RAD press release, March 3, 2017 (453kB PDF - in French)

> See details: Loire Atlantique · Loire · Puy-de-Dôme

French Nuclear Safety Authority demands many improvements with Areva's decommissioning of old uranium mine sites

The French Nuclear Safety Authority demands a long list of improvements with Areva's decommissioning of former uranium mine sites and related waste rock deposits, concerning the assessment of waste rocks located outside the site boundaries, the assessment of waste rock deposits, the impacts and the surveillance of tailings deposits, the treatment of water released from former uranium mining sites, the long-term stability of tailings deposit embankments, studies of the properties of uranium mill tailings and studies of uranium transport from waste rock deposits, among others.
> View: ASN release April 6, 2016 (in French)
> Download Avis nº 2016-AV-0254 de l'Autorité de sûreté nucléaire du 9 février 2016 sur les études relatives à l'évaluation de l'impact des résidus miniers d'uranium et à la gestion des anciens sites miniers d'uranium remises en application du plan national de gestion des matières et des déchets radioactifs 2013-2015, en vue de l'élaboration du plan national de gestion des matières et des déchets radioactifs 2016-2018
> Download: Évaluation de la sûreté à long terme des digues de rétention de stockage de résidus de traitement de minerais uranifères (AREVA): Plan d'action et définition de la méthodologie (15.9MB PDF) · Sélection des digues prioritaires (310k PDF) · Digue des Bois Noirs, analyse de stabilité (1.6MB PDF)
> Download: Gestion des stations de traitement des eaux des anciens sites miniers uranifères français, bilan d'étape (AREVA) (16MB PDF)
> Download: Recensement des verses à stériles (AREVA): Partie 1 (10.5MB PDF) · Partie 2 (13.4MB PDF)

French uranium activist network complains about deficiencies with cleanup of France's former uranium mine sites

At its meeting in Auriac (Corrèze) on May 18-20, 2013, the French activist network Collectif "Mines d'Uranium" pointed at several problems encountered with the cleanup of former uranium mine sites in France. The network looked in particular at the problem posed by the dispersion of waste rock around the mine sites, for use in the construction of roads, platforms, farmyards, and even in the base of buildings and in residential walls. While Areva was ordered in 2009 to elaborate a survey of all sites where waste rock was reused, four years have passed in the meantime and there is still no result. The network further complains about a lack of transparency and a lack of reliability of the works undertaken.
> Download Collectif Mines d'Uranium release June 6, 2013 (PDF - in French)

French and Nigerien activists create anti-uranium network

Two decades after the cessation of the national anti-uranium network "Réseau Uranium", activists from various sites in France and from Niger have created the Collectif "Mines d'Uranium". The new network is to look into the environmental impacts of former uranium mining in France and current uranium mining in Niger.
> Download Communiqué de presse 15 Oct. 2012 (PDF - in French)
> Download Déclaration commune (PDF - in French)

Environment minister and Nuclear Safety Authority demand prefects to take care of old uranium mines

> View Note d'information 30 juillet 2009 (ASN - in French)
> Download circulaire 2009-132 du 22 juillet 2009 (ASN - in French)

Areva trying to block TV documentary on residual contamination left around former uranium mine sites in France

Areva, once again, spares no efforts to prove that it rightly received the 2008 Public Eye Award as one of "the world's most irresponsible companies":
On Feb. 11, 2009, public service TV chain France 3 plans to air a programme on the residual contamination found at former uranium mine sites all over France. The broadcast titled "Uranium : le scandale de la France contaminée" (Uranium: the scandal of contaminated France) is to be aired in the monthly programme Pièces à conviction (Incriminating evidence). According to the programme's investigators, 300 million tonnes of radioactive waste have been left at 210 former uranium mining sites in France without any protective measures nor surveillance.
Areva announced on Jan. 29, 2009, to call the regulatory authority Conseil supérieur de l'audiovisuel (CSA) to prevent the airing of the programme. (AFP/Le Républicain Lorrain Jan. 30, 2009)

> View video: Uranium : le scandale de la France contaminée , France 3, Pièces à Conviction n°72, 11 février 2009 (110 min. - in French)
> View background documents by CRIIRAD (mostly in French)
> View Areva's comments on the TV programme (in French)

French Radiation Protection Authority issues revised national inventory of former uranium mine sites

In September 2007, the Institute of Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN ) issued a revised release of MIMAUSA (Mémoire et Impact des Mines d'urAniUm: Synthèse et Archives).
> View Mines d'uranium - Le programme Mimausa
> Download Inventaire national des sites miniers d’uranium, Version 2 - Septembre 2007 (7.6MB PDF - in French)

French Radiation Protection Authority issues first national inventory of former uranium mine sites

At the request of the Ministry of Ecology and Sustainable Development (MEDD ) , the Institute of Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN ) has launched the program MIMAUSA (Mémoire et Impact des Mines d'urAniUm: Synthèse et Archives).
In cooperation with the mining company COGEMA, IRSN has compiled a national inventory of former uranium mine sites in France, comprising not only the major mine and mill sites, but also many minor exploration sites, totalling 185 sites across the country.

 

Limousin Region

General · Bellezane · Bessines-sur-Gartempe · La Fraisse · Le Bernardan · La Vedrenne · Masgrimauds · Vignaud

> See also: Mines d'uranium (DRIRE Limousin)

 

General

Orano opens research center for MOX fuel made from plutonium and depleted uranium at Bessines

> View here

 

Inventory of dispersion and usage of uranium mine waste in Limousin area released

On July 1, 2014, the Direction Régionale de l'Environnement, de l'Aménagement et du Logement du Limousin (DREAL) authority has released the results of a survey performed by Areva on the dispersion and usage of waste rock originating from uranium mining in the Limousin area.
> Access inventory by community (DREAL Limousin - in French)

 

Pluralist expert group releases complementary report on uranium mill tailings deposits in Limousin area

On Nov. 4, 2013, the pluralist expert group (Groupe d'Expertise Pluraliste - GEP ) in charge of assessing the environmental situation at the former uranium mine sites in the Limousin area released its second and last report.
> View GEP release Nov. 4, 2013
> Download GEP report , Nov. 4, 2013 (4MB PDF - in French)

 

Areva wins defamatory Pinocchio Award for opening museum glorifying former uranium mining in Limousin area

In the category "Greener than green" *), Areva easily wins the Pinocchio Award with 59 % of the votes. It must be said that the nuclear multinational dared to imagine the unimaginable: creating "Urêka ", a museum dedicated to the glory of uranium mines in the French region of Limousin, on the area of former mine sites that left heavy environmental and sanitary consequences. "Come and discover the adventure of uranium", says Areva, without any issue regarding the dramatic social and environmental impacts that these uranium extraction mines keep having all over the world, especially in Niger and maybe soon on the land of the Inuits. (Prix Pinocchio Nov. 19, 2013)
More than 41,000 internet users voted in the pub public voting process launched by the NGO Les Amis de la Terre - Friends of the Earth France, in partnership with Peuples Solidaires - ActionAid France and the Centre of Research and Information for Development (CRID).
*) "Greener than green": awarded to the company which has led the most abusive and misleading communication campaign in regard to its actual activities. The two other nominees were BNP Paribas and Air France.

 

Areva presents survey of dispersed waste rock in part of former Limousin uranium mining area

At the July 12, 2012, meeting of the local information and monitoring commission (Commission Locale d'information et de surveillance - CLIS) in charge of the former uranium mining sites in the Haute-Vienne departement, Areva presented the results of a survey of the dipersed uranium mine waste rock in the area. Areva identified 11 locations whith excess annual doses in the 0.3 - 0.6 mSv/a range, and 7 locations above 0.6 mSv/a.
The doses were not calculated for continuous exposure, but for varying occupancy periods (400 - 2000 hours per year), according to site usage categories selected on the basis of current site usage. The dose calculations thus do not take into account any future change of site usage.
Three of the locations in the highest category are located in the town of Bessines-sur-Gartempe and shall be cleaned up first.
> View/download related documents (DREAL - in French)

 

Radioactive material from former uranium mines found dispersed in Limousin area

Members of the group l'Association de défense de l'environnement de la Xaintrie (ADEX) have identified rocks close to the "quality of pure uranium ore" at the surface of an embankment dam at Saint-Privat (Corrèze). The rocks apparently came with waste rock from the former uranium mines in the Corrèze department (Limousin area). Such waste rock material was used for road construction and level grading on public and private grounds within a radius of 30 km of the mines. The radioactive material will now be removed by Areva.
Until 1984, no accounts were kept on the whereabouts of the waste rock material from the uranium mines. (Le Populaire July 19, 2011)

 

Suit filed against Areva for inappropriate disposal of decommissioning wastes in former Limousin uranium mining area

The NGO Sources et Rivières du Limousin has filed suit against Areva for not having properly disposed of approx. 600 cubic metres of radioactive residues left from the cleanup performed in 2010 at the Rode pond in the Limousin area.
> View Sources et Rivières du Limousin release May 23, 2011 (in French)

On June 1, 2011, the prefecture of the Haute-Vienne departement ordered Areva to remove the radioactive residues and to ensure their safe long-term disposal. (Le Figaro June 7, 2011)

 

European Commission experts check efficacy of uranium mine reclamation in Limousin area

On Sep. 14-16, 2010, a team of three experts of the European Commission visited the former uranium mine sites in the Limousin area. The goal of the mission was to verify the sound application of article 35 *) of the Euratom treaty to the former uranium mine sites. To this end, the experts checked the measures taken to assure the control and surveillance of the former mining sites, as well as the radiation levels in the surroundings of these sites. The report of the Commission will be released during the course of the year 2011. (ASN Oct. 28, 2010)
*) Article 35
Each Member State shall establish the facilities necessary to carry out continuous monitoring of the level of radioactivity in the air, water and soil and to ensure compliance with the basic standards. The Commission shall have the right of access to such facilities; it may verify their operation and efficiency.

 

Pluralist expert group releases final report on uranium mill tailings deposits in Limousin area

On Sep. 17, 2010, the pluralist expert group (Groupe d'Expertise Pluraliste - GEP ) in charge of assessing the environmental situation at the former uranium mine sites in the Limousin area released its final report.
The GEP sets out six main areas of improvements, within which the GEP makes 15 major recommendations addressed to the public authorities, the owner and all of the stakeholders concerned. These recommendations aim to: > Download News Release Sep. 17, 2010 (PDF - in French)
> Download Executive Summary (PDF - in English)
> Download Final GEP Report (in French)

 

New NGO to monitor radiation at former uranium mine sites in the Limousin area

A new NGO Sous nos pieds (Under our feet) plans to perform radiation surveys at the 70 former uranium mine sites, 2 uranium mill sites, and 6 waste disposal sites in the Limousin area. The group believes the official monitoring has been inadequate and incomplete. (France 3, Dec. 9, 2009)

 

Pluralist expert group releases third report on uranium mill tailings deposits in Limousin area

On July 22, 2009, the pluralist expert group (Groupe d'Expertise Pluraliste - GEP ) in charge of assessing the environmental situation at the former uranium mine sites in the Limousin area released its third report.
> Download Troisième rapport d'étape du Groupe d'Expertise Pluraliste sur les sites miniers d'uranium du Limousin, janvier-décembre 2008 (6.4MB, GEP - in French)

 

Pluralist expert group releases second report on uranium mill tailings deposits in Limousin area

On Jan. 16, 2008, the pluralist expert group (Groupe d'Expertise Pluraliste - GEP ) in charge of assessing the environmental situation at the former uranium mine sites in the Limousin area released its second report.
> Download Rapport d'étape du Groupe d'expertise pluraliste sur les sites miniers d'uranium du Limousin, Janvier - Juin 2007 (2.9MB PDF, DRIRE Limousin - in French) · alternate source (GEP)

In addition, the Institute of Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN) released a detailed report on the environmental impacts in the catchment areas.
> Download Expertise globale du bilan décennal environnemental d'AREVA NC, 2ème partie: impact environnemental à l'échelle des bassins versants et évaluation de la surveillance, DEI/SARG/2007-042 , IRSN, Décembre 2007, 390 p. (8.7MB PDF - in French) · alternate source (IRSN)

 

Pluralist expert group releases first report on uranium mill tailings deposits in Limousin area

On Feb. 6, 2007, the pluralist expert group (Groupe d'Expertise Pluraliste - GEP) in charge of assessing the environmental situation at the former uranium mine sites in the Limousin area released its first report. The group had been appointed by the ministries of the Environment, Health and Industry on June 28, 2006.
In its first report, the group mainly looks at the Bellezane uranium mill tailings deposit. The GEP recommends to develop a better understanding of the site hydraulics, to search for possible diffuse sources of contamination, and to perform a quantitative assessment of the efficiency of the tailings cover, among others.
> View Diffusion du premier rapport du groupe d'expertise pluraliste sur les anciennes mines d'uranium en Limousin (DRIRE Limousin - in French) · alternate source (GEP)

In addition, the Institute of Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN) released a detailed report on the Bellezane uranium mill tailings deposit and its environmental impacts.
> Download Expertise globale du bilan décennal environnemental d’AREVA NC 1ère partie : stockage de Bellezane et impact environnemental à l’échelle du bassin versant du Ritord, DEI/2007-01 , IRSN, Janvier 2007, 179 p. (4.9MB PDF - in French) · alternate source (IRSN)

 

DRIRE considers necessity of additional impermeable covers on uranium mill tailings deposits in Limousin area

DRIRE Limousin (Direction Régionale de l'Industrie de la Recherche et de l'Environnement) finds that a hydrogeoligical report presented by Areva/Cogéma does answer the authority's questions regarding the water balance at the decommissioned uranium mine and mill sites in the Limousin area. DRIRE rather suspects that the permeability of the covers on top of the various uranium mill tailings deposits in the area is too high, and that the construction of additional impermeable covers is necessary. The installation of such impermeable covers had already been demanded in Cogéma's license, unless some study would prove that they weren't necessary. The study now presented by Cogéma is not seen as such proof by DRIRE Limousin.

> Download: AREVA COGEMA, MONTMASSACROT, SITE INDUSTRIEL DE BESSINES, LE FRAISSE, FANAY-AUGERES, MARGNAC-PENY, BELLEZANE, Expertise hydrogéologique, Rapport , Burgéap, 30 Octobre 2006 (22M PDF - in French)
> View: Note de la DRIRE suite à l'expertise : Une expertise à compléter sur l’étanchéité des stockages de Bellezane, Montmassacrot et SIB (in French)

> See also: Cogéma en Limousin (DRIRE Limousin - in French)

 

French Geological Survey calls for improvements in environmental monitoring of decommissioned uranium mine sites in Limousin area

In reply to Cogéma's ten-year survey of decommissioning of uranium mines in the Limousin area, the French Geological Survey BRGM calls for improvements in the environmental monitoring performed at several sites:

> Download: Bessines-sur-Gartempe (87), Tierce-expertise du bilan de fonctionnement décennal des installations COGEMA, Rapport final , BRGM/RP-54976-FR, Octobre 2006 (1.1M PDF - in French)

> See also: Cogéma en Limousin (DRIRE Limousin - in French)

 

Judicial inquiry on pollution at old uranium mine sites initiated against Cogéma

A judicial inquiry was initiated against Cogéma for "pollution, abandonment and waste deposits" at several sites located close to old uranium mines in the Haute-Vienne department in central France.
The inquiry goes back to a complaint filed by the association Sources et Rivières du Limousin in March 1999. The complaint alleged Cogéma to have polluted several rivers which cross the old mining area. The five most contaminated sites were close to the communes of Bessines, Compreignac, Razès, Saint-Sylvestre and Saint-Pardoux.
According to the association France Nature , this pollution also affects the lake of Saint-Pardoux, a major recreational site in the area. In addition, the contaminated rivers feed one of the drinking water reserves of the town. (AFP Sep. 7, 2002)
Cogema, however, maintains that elevated uranium concentrations found in the rivers are caused from natural sources. Any mine waters from the old mines are treated before release. (Cogéma Sep. 7, 2002)

On August 18, 2003, the examining magistrate decided to send Cogéma back before the Criminal Court of Limoges, although the public prosecutor wanted the case to be closed. The decision was, however, appealed by the public prosecutor's office. (SRL/FNE Aug. 26, 2003, Le Figaro Aug. 27, 2003)

On March 25, 2004, a Limoges appeals court dismissed the public prosecutor's appeal and sent Cogéma back before the Criminal Court of Limoges. (Le Monde 25 Mar. 2004)
> Download: CRIIRAD communiqué March 26, 2004 MS-Word / PDF · Annexe (Repères chronologiques) MS-Word / PDF (in French)

On March 29, 2004, Cogéma filed an appeal against this decision.
> Download France Nature press communique: Apr. 1, 2004 (PDF - in French)

On Nov. 3, 2004, the Court of Cassation dismissed Cogéma's appeal, and Cogéma finally acknowleged that it has to appear in the Criminal Court. (Cogéma Nov. 3, 2004)

Cogéma will first appear in the Criminal Court of Limoges on June 24, 2005. (Figaro Apr. 8, 2005)

On Oct. 14, 2005, the Criminal Court of Limoges followed the public prosecutor and cleared Cogéma of the charge of polluting Haute-Vienne. (La Croix Oct. 14, 2005)

On June 28, 2006, the Limoges Appeals Court approved the decision of the Criminal Court.

 

Masgrimauds uranium mine (Haute-Vienne)

Photovoltaic panels to be installed on site of former Masgrimauds uranium mine (Haute-Vienne)

The mayor of Mailhac-sur-Benaize is going to install a field of solar panels on 6 hectares of the former Masgrimauds uranium mine. These will be operational from 2022.
This was decided after plans for a leisure center on the site had to be dropped due to residual radioactive contamination. (France Info Apr. 18, 2021)
> Download: Rapport suite à la visite d'inspection du 28 juin 2018 de l'ancien site minier uranifère de Masgrimauds sur la commune de Mailhac-sur-Benaize (87) , Préfet de la Haute Vienne, Oct. 16, 2018 (652kB PDF - in French)
> Download: Avis de la Mission régionale d'autorité environnementale de la région Nouvelle-Aquitaine sur le projet de création d'une centrale photovoltaïque au sol à Mailhac-sur-Benaize (87) , Aug. 5, 2019 (715kB PDF - in French)

 

Vignaud uranium mine site (Creuse)

Proposed relocation of scattered uranium mine waste rock to former Vignaud uranium mine site (Creuse)

Opponents demand immediate suspension of relocation of scattered uranium mine waste rock to former Vignaud uranium mine site: The municipality of Anzême, located near Guéret in the Creuse department, and environmental protection associations have engaged an arm wrestling with the nuclear group Areva and the prefecture to oppose the storage of slightly radioactive "waste rock" from former uranium mines in the municipality. In 2015, Areva chose Anzême, in particular the so-called 'du Vignaud' site, where a uranium mine was exploited between 1956 and 1962, to store some 10,000 m3 of mining waste resulting from the rehabilitation of other sites in Creuse.
But locals and environmental activists opposed to this project had blocked the passage of Areva's first trucks on 20 March. The next day, the prefect of Creuse, Philippe Chopin, had asked the intervention of the gendarmes to allow the unloading of the waste.
The prefectural decree of January 7, 2016 provides among other measures that all waste rock is collected and covered with at least 40 cm of soil before being reseeded. Opponents of the project, however, ask the prefect to stop operations immediately, in order to carry out checks. "We want the State to give itself the time to do hydrogeological research, among other things, to assess the consequences on water," says Anzême Mayor Alain Favière. The associations Oui à l'avenir and Sources et rivières du Limousin , experts on the uranium issues in the region, have initiated appeals against the prefectural order. (20minutes Apr. 4, 2017)

In view of local opposition, Areva abandons plan for relocation of scattered uranium mine waste rock to former Vignaud uranium mine site: Third public meeting in Anzême Wednesday night (June 1) and happy faces at the exit. Christian Andres, "Mister after-mining" of Areva, based in Bessines-sur-Gartempe, confirmed to sixty people, "We will not engage in work against the will of the people. I do not want any conflict with the town of Anzême and the people of Creuse. It seems that I was not convincing enough."
The disputed project is to store 18,000 tonnes of waste rock on the site of the former Vignaud uranium mine (operated between 1956 and 1962). This village located northwest of the town has been chosen for the burial of mining waste rock currently scattered across old mining sites in Creuse.
While the radioactivity emitted by this waste rock is well below the public health standards, the Ministry of Ecology asked Areva to reduce their spread and thus consolidate them. A prefectural order of 7 January 2016 opened the legal possibility of bringing the waste rock to Vignaud and storing it there.
The mayor of Anzême, Alain Favière, has been opposed to this project from the beginning. Wednesday night, the people of Anzême formulated new objections. They are particularly worried about the impact on water quality and property depreciation that such storage would imply.
Activists from Stop mines 23 also brought contradiction to Christian Andres: "We will attack in any way the prefectural order in the administrative court because there was no public inquiry, and there is the proximity of a Natura 2000 site. [...]" (Le Populaire du Centre, June 3, 2016)

 

Bessines-sur-Gartempe (Haute Vienne)

40,800 solar panels installed on top of uranium mill tailings deposit in former Bellezane open pit mine

A power plant with 40,800 solar panels, capable of an annual production of 23 gigawatt hours per year, has been installed in a former uranium mine in Bessines-sur-Gartempe.
Between 1955 and 1993, three million tonnes of ore were extracted from the mining site, which made it possible to produce 2,124 tonnes of uranium thanks to an on-site processing plant. "When the mine closed, we backfilled the entire mine with tailings, waste rock (the soil and rocks excavated during the operation of the mine, editor's note), then topsoil, and we left it grassed. The site has been monitored since the redevelopment in 1993," explains Olivier Masset, France post-mining manager at Orano mining, the company in charge of monitoring old uranium mines.
Specificity of the site, nothing was buried in the ground. "There is a sort of dome that has been placed under the ground, with a certain layer of clay that must not be punctured or damaged. The power plant was therefore entirely placed on the ground. The photovoltaic modules are fixed on stringers, that is to say long concrete bases, simply placed on the ground." (Le Populaire du Centre Mar. 27, 2024)

 

Orano to recycle batteries from electric cars at former Bessines-sur-Gartempe uranium mill site

Orano is changing direction and moving towards recycling electric car batteries. The process tested at Bessines is called hydrometallurgy. "It makes it possible to produce very high purity salts which will be reintegrated into new batteries", explains Laure Dehuyser, business manager.
Next February, a pre-treatment unit will open its doors in Bessines. (France 3, Nov. 3, 2022)

 

Stability of Montmassacrot tailings dam does not meet required safety margins(!)

On behalf of Orano, Tractebel Engineering S.A. analyzed the long term safety of the Montmassacrot uranium mill tailings dam in Bessines-sur-Gartempe. The results are alarming:
The stability calculations show a lack of stability: > Download: Dossier géotechnique sur la stabilité mécanique des digues du site de Montmassacrot (18.8MB PDF - in French)

 

Brugeaud tailings dam unstable in severe seismic situations(!)

On behalf of Orano, Tractebel Engineering S.A. analyzed the long term safety of the Brugeaud uranium mill tailings dam in Bessines-sur-Gartempe. The results are alarming:
The stability calculations show a lack of stability of the upper embankment under reinforced seismic stress [Return period 10,000 years]: the berm is unstable (Fs [factor of safety] less than 1.0)
> Download: Dossier géotechnique sur la stabilité mécanique des digues du site du Brugeaud (16.2MB PDF - in French)

 

Fire at Areva's mining museum in Bessines

The fire that broke out on the night of April 3 to 4 at Areva's mining museum at Bessines was willfully started. The Prosecutor of the Republic of Limoges confirmed an investigation had been opened for willful damage of property by fire. The fire that started in waste bins outside the establishment had in particular damaged the museum restaurant. (Le Populaire Apr. 7, 2014)
Areva started legal proceedings upon revelations that the fire was willfully started. (Le Populaire Apr. 8, 2014)

 

Family evacuated from Limousin area home built with uranium mill tailings backfill and used for childcare

A family of Haute-Vienne was relocated after the discovery of high doses of radon, a radioactive gas, at its home. The occupants of this house have had between 2000 and 2014, a home-care activity that concerns about twenty children from 16 families who have been identified and will be contacted.
The dwelling in question was built in the 1960s at Bessines-sur-Gartempe, north of Limoges, where soils are rich in uranium and have been the subject of mining for decades. The measurements were made as part of the survey program of sites where uranium mine waste rock was reused, commissioned by Areva.
In addition to waste rock, uranium mill tailings were used "to fill in this house and are causing the measured radon concentrations", the Regional Health Agency (ARS) says, and "the presence of such residues outside of mining sites and permitted disposal sites is quite abnormal and contrary to the regulations." (Le Monde Mar. 27, 2014)
Monitoring performed in the home by the Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN) has found radon concentrations in the range from 8,500 to 18,700 Bq/m3.
> View IRSN release June 2, 2014 with links to further reports (in French)
Areva announced on June 16, 2014, that the building will be pulled down. (Le Figaro June 17, 2014)

 

Areva plans to dump more contaminated soil on top of tailings deposit in former Bellezane open pit

> Download related documents (DREAL - in French)
(Réunion du 01/10/2013 - dossier de demande d’autorisation d’exploiter Bellezane 2)

The proposal is opposed by the NGO Sources et Rivières du Limousin (SRL).
> Download SRL statement Feb. 1, 2013 (PDF - in French)

Public inquiry results in favourable opinion for Areva's plan to dump more contaminated soil on top of tailings deposit in former Bellezane open pit: Areva has obtained a favourable opinion of the arbitrator of the public inquiry (commissaire-enquêteur) on its project to dump 200,000 cubic metres of radioactive wastes in its former Bellezane open pit uranium mine. (Le Populaire du Centre Nov. 26, 2013)
> Download: Rapport d'Enquête (in French)

 

Areva opens interactive mining museum at site of former uranium mine and mill in Bessines

On July 12, 2013, Areva opened the Urêka mining museum at Bessines.

> See also: Anti-nuclear sabotage claimed to have caused derailment of locomotive on siding to Areva's depleted uranium storage facility at Bessines

 

Inspector calls for improvement of water treatment at Bellezane tailings site

At the occasion of a site visit on Feb. 24, 2010, the DREAL inspector found that the water treatment plant of Bellezane (former mine, now tailings deposit) shows a poor efficiency. The treated water released to the Petites-Magnelles creek shows uranium concentrations in the order of 300 micrograms per litre, and the creek provides only little dilution. The standard established by IRSN for the natural environment is 5 micrograms per litre, however.
The inspector demands Areva to investigate the water treatment process and explain the poor performance of the plant and to propose changes to improve the quality of the released water.
(Rapport d'inspection du site minier uranifère de Bellezane, le 24 février 2010, Direction Régionale de l'Environnement, de l'Aménagement et du Logement du Limousin - DREAL)

 

Unannounced sampling of effluents finds no exceeding of standards

From Nov. 21 to 24, 2006, DRIRE performed unannounced sampling of effluents at Areva's various decommissioned uranium mining sites in the Limousin area. None of the samples surpassed the applicable standards.
Elevated gamma radiation was identified in the valley of the "ruisseau des Petites Magnelles" creek, caused from sediments and contaminated soil found downstream from the Bellezane site.
> View DRIRE announcement, March 2007 (in French)
> Download Rapport Contrôles inopinés AREVA - Division Minière de La Crouzille, Novembre 2006 (3.9M PDF - in French)

 

Proposed dumping of radioactive water treatment wastes in Bellezane open pit

Cogéma/AREVA NC is applying for the authorisation to dump radioactive slurries from the treatment of mine water and contaminated sediments recovered from ponds in the former Bellezane open pit. The pit already contains uranium mill tailings originating from the former Bessines uranium mill. The tailings are covered with a rock cover. The slurries would be dumped on top of the rock cover.

From 27 Feb 2006 to 29 March 2006, a public inquiry was held on the proposal:
Enquête publique relative à la demande d'autorisation de stockage de boues de curages de stations de traitement des eaux d'exhaure minière et de sédiments de curage d'étangs dans la mine à ciel ouvert de Bellezane déposée par COGEMA sur les communes de Bessines sur Gartempe et Bersac sur Rivalier, Enquête publique du 27/02/2006 au 29/03/2006

By arrete DRCLE 2006–792 dated 4 May 2006, the prefect of Haute Vienne installed a "Commission locale d'information et de surveillance" (CLIS) for this project. The commission comprises representatives of the administration, AREVA, and environmental organizations. (RAA du 23 mai 2006 p.36-37)

The independent radiation monitoring group CRIIRAD opposes the project:
CRIIRAD communique of 14 June 2006: (MS Word) · (PDF) (in French)
CRIIRAD technical note of 15 June 2006: (MS Word) · (PDF) (in French)

 

La Vedrenne uranium mine (Corrèze)

Hole opens in the ground above tunnels of former La Vedrenne uranium mine

On Oct. 12, 2012, a ground failure was detected above tunnels of the former La Vedrenne uranium mine. The failure occured after heavy rain in a vacant lot between two residential areas of the community of Egletons (Corrèze).
> Download: La Vedrenne - Rapport d'incident suite à un affaissement de terrain survenu le 12/10/2012 , Areva, Décembre 2012 (4.4MB PDF - DREAL, in French)

 

Le Bernardan uranium mine (Haute Vienne)

Solar park opened on site of former Le Bernardan uranium mine

A new solar park has just been inaugurated in Haute-Vienne, by the Neoen company. It is located in Jouac, near Saint-Sulpice-les-Feuilles, on the site of a former Orano uranium mine. (Radio France Oct. 3, 2023)

Last uranium mine in France shut down

On May 31, 2001, the Le Bernardan uranium mine at Jouac (Haute Vienne) produced its last ore. It was the last active uranium mine in France. The uranium milling operations at the site will continue for a few months.
The mine had opened in 1978 as an open pit, and from 1984, operations continued as an underground operation. It has produced a total of 8000 tonnes of U.

 

La Fraisse uranium mine (Haute Vienne)

Ground collapses above Orano's former La Fraisse uranium mine

Saturday November 11, while walking along a path in the small hamlet of Le Fraisse, in the town of Razès, near Limoges, a local resident had a real scare. In front of him, a gaping hole 10 to 15 meters deep and three meters wide takes shape. Luckily, no injuries were reported.
A deep hole since the ground collapsed above the old Fraisse mining site, operated until 1990 by the Orano company, specializing in the extraction of uranium for nuclear power, which operated mines until in 2001 in the north of Haute-Vienne.
"As a reminder, within the Le Fraisse mining site, we have underground and open pit mines. The open pit mines have been filled with water (2) or backfilled (1), and the underground mine has been backfilled partially and secured between 1991 and 1994. On Saturday, the ground collapsed above an underground gallery", recalls Olivier Masset, head of "after mining" activity at Orano. (Le Populaire du Centre Nov. 14, 2023)

 

Midi-Pyrénées Region

Bertholène

Bertholène uranium mine (Aveyron)

Prefect issues notice to Orano over excess contaminant concentration at former Bertholène uranium mine site

On January 17, 2023, the prefecture of Aveyron issued a prefectural decree of formal notice to the company Orano, formerly Areva and operator of the site, which is responsible for its maintenance. Samples taken last fall showed that the release value of manganese, a radioactive substance [???], exceeded the regulatory threshold of 1 mg/l. The company now has twelve months to comply. Otherwise, "penalties will be imposed, regardless of any criminal proceedings that may be initiated against the operator", specifies the prefectural decree. (La Depêche Jan. 27, 2023)

Orano put on notice on cleanup of former Bertholène uranium mine site

A prefectural decree was issued in April to the company that manages the Bertholène uranium mine. Anomalies were found during a check in 2016.
The Bertholène uranium mine has not been exploited for a long time but remains a sensitive site. And all the anomalies and problems of compliance remain since at least 2007, when the site was still under management of Areva. Thus, as the years pass by, a new prefectural order of April 12, 2018, has given notice to the successor of SA Compagnie française de Mokta, Areva, that meanwhile became Orano, to bring the site facilities into compliance.
It is criticized as "the lack of a personnel alert procedure in the event of failure of the control automaton of the water treatment plant; deterioration of some concrete structures; the absence of fences and guarding, etc." Anomalies detected during a check on 9 November 2016 and during the visit of the Monitoring Committee of 6 February 2018.
However, in May, Orano, who finally took care of the management of the site, obtained the repeal of the notice. (La Dépêche Aug. 2, 2018)

 

Auvergne Region

St Pierre du Cantal · Puy-de-Dôme department · Rophin

St Pierre du Cantal uranium mine and mill tailings

> Aerial View: Google Maps

CRIIRAD demands closure of St Pierre du Cantal uranium mine and mill tailings site for public access

The independent radiation laboratory CRIIRAD demands the closure of the former St Pierre du Cantal uranium mine and mill tailings site for public access. The site holds 580,000 tonnes of uranium mill tailings, dispersed over 8 disposal areas. Only about one quarter of the site's surface area is fenced, containing just about 10% of the tailings mass. The rest of the site is used for recreational activities.
> Download: CRIIRAD release June 15, 2016 (650k PDF - in French)
> Download related documents (in French)

IRSN releases report on radiological impacts of former uranium mining in the Dordogne catchment basin

IRSN report finds no radiological impacts of former uranium mining in the Dordogne catchment basin: A report prepared by the Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN) together with local partners finds that the former uranium mining in the catchment basin of the Dordogne river has no noticeable impacts on water, sediments, and locally produced food.
The three important mining sites in the Dordogne catchment basin were the Saint-Pierre open pit mine with mill and tailings deposit at Saint-Pierre in Cantal, and the La Besse underground mine and the Jaladis open pit mine at Saint-Julien-aux-Bois in Corrèze.
> Download: Constat radiologique minier du bassin versant de la Dordogne sur la base d'une démarche pluraliste menée avec les acteurs du territoire , Rapport de Mission 2016, IRSN, May 2016 (2.65MB PDF - in French)

CRIIRAD criticizes IRSN report finding no radiological impacts of former uranium mining in the Dordogne catchment basin: In a press release and a letter to environment minister Ségolène Royal, the independent radiation laboratory CRIIRAD criticizes the report for a number of deficiencies, in particular the use of weighted averages, and the missing reporting of raw monitoring data, among others.
> Download: CRIIRAD press release July 28, 2016 (387k PDF - in French)
> Download: CRIIRAD letter to Ségolène Royal, July 26, 2016 (126k PDF - in French)

Areva to do limited cleanup near former St Pierre du Cantal uranium mine site

In a notice published in the local press on June 22, 2010, Areva announced the commencement of works to prevent radiological impacts in areas located near the former St Pierre du Cantal uranium mine site. The independent radiation laboratory CRIIRAD denounced these works as insufficient, however.
> View CRIIRAD release July 1, 2010 (in French)

Elevated radiation levels found around decommissioned St Pierre du Cantal uranium mine site

The independent laboratory CRIIRAD has identified elevated radiation levels at several public locations around the reclaimed site of the former open pit uranium mine and uranium mill at St Pierre du Cantal. Concentrations of radium-226 in soil on public grounds were found at up to 76,000 Bq/kg (that is up to 700 times the natural level in the area). There exist no use restrictions for these areas.
Concentrations of radon-222 surpassing the 1000 Bq/m3 action level were found in several buildings. In a public building, constructed on soils contaminated with radium-226, a concentration of radon-222 of 5000 Bq/m3 was found, while in neighbouring buildings, constructed on natural soils, concentrations were only 62 Bq/m3.
On the decommissioned site itself, residual contamination by yellow cake was found at the former mill site, with concentrations of uranium-238 of more than 3 million Bq/kg. On parts of the site, the gamma radiation and the release of radon-222 gas is 5 to 100 times background. The radioactive materials present on site lead to contamination of surface waters, with high concentrations of uranium-238 accumulating in stream sediments.

> View CRIIRAD release Nov. 29, 2007, and related documents (in French)

Elevated radiation levels found at decommissioned St Pierre du Cantal uranium mine site

The independent laboratory CRIIRAD has identified elevated radiation levels at the reclaimed site of the former open pit uranium mine and uranium mill at St Pierre du Cantal. External radiation dose rates reached up to 1.25 µSv/h, total alpha radiation in groundwater 27.2 Bq/L, and total beta radiation in groundwater 23.4 Bq/L - all in excess of the applicable regulatory limits. CRIIRAD, therefore, calls for a suspension of the currently ongoing procedure of license termination for the site. (CRIIRAD Apr. 28, 2004)

> Download CRIIRAD communique Apr. 28, 2004 (PDF - in French)

 

Uranium mines in the Puy-de-Dôme department

Study still finds significant environmental contamination at former Rophin uranium mine site

"This article presents the results on the traces of anthropic activity linked to previous uranium (U) mining activities in the vicinity of the Rophin tailings storage site (Puy de Dôme, France). Several complementary approaches were developed based on a study of the site's history and records, as well as on a radiological and chemical characterization of soil cores and a dendrochronology.
Gamma survey measurements of the wetland downstream of the Rophin site revealed a level of 1050 nSv.h-1.
Soil cores extracted in the wetland showed U concentrations of up to 1855 mg.kg-1, which appears to be associated with the presence of a whitish silt loam (WSL) soil layer located below an organic topsoil layer. Records, corroborated by prior aerial photographs and analyses of 137Cs and 14C activities, suggest the discharge of U mineral particles while the site was being operated. Moreover, lead isotope ratios indicate that contamination in the WSL layer can be discriminated by a larger contribution of radiogenic lead to total lead.
The dendroanalysis correlate U emissions from Rophin with the site's history. Oak tree rings located downstream of the site contain uranium concentrations ten times higher than values measured on unaffected trees. Moreover, the highest U concentrations were recorded not only for the operating period, but more surprisingly for the recent site renovations as well.
This integrated approach corroborates that U mineral particles were initially transported as mineral particles in Rophin's watershed and that a majority of the deposited uranium appears to have been trapped in the topsoil layer, with high organic matter content." [emphasis added]
An integrated approach combining soil profile, records and tree ring analysis to identify the origin of environmental contamination in a former uranium mine (Rophin, France), by Martin, A; Hassan-Loni, Y; Fichtner, A; et al., in: The Science of the Total Environment, aheadofprint, Aug. 2, 2020

Radiation levels at reclaimed uranium mine site still up to 20 times background in Puy-de-Dôme

Monitoring performed by the group Puy-de-Dôme Nature Environnement reveiled gamma radiation levels up to 20 times background measured in front of a barn in the town of Baffie, among others. (CRIIRAD March 3, 2017)

CRIIRAD criticizes Areva's survey of cleanup of old uranium mines in the Puy-de-Dôme department

By decree dated April 13, 2010, the prefect of Puy-de-Dôme ordered Areva to prepare a report on the environmental situation at the former uranium mine and mill sites in the department. On June 27, 2012, the independent radiation laboratory CRIIRAD released a critical review of Areva's report, identifying many errors and omissions. CRIIRAD demands to perform site inspections to assess the actual situation at the sites. CRIIRAD in particular questions the situation at the site of Roffin/Rophin, comprising a deposit of 30,000 t of uranium mill tailings.
> View Mines d'uranium du Puy-de-Dôme (CRIIRAD - in French)

Cleanup of old uranium mines in Puy-de-Dôme department demanded

In the Puy-de-Dôme department in central France, there had been 11 small uranium mines in operation between 1948 and 1979. At Rophin (community of Lachaux) there exists a uranium mill tailings deposit containing 30,000 tonnes. During visits of all these sites, the environmental organization Puy-de-Dôme Nature Environnement (formerly AEDELEC) performed some radiation surveys. The dose rates observed reached up to 46 micro-Sieverts per hour, in particular in the surroundings of the Rophin site, while the average dose rate on normal ground is 0.1 micro-Sieverts per hour. The organization now demands from the authorities to perform a more thorough assessment of the radiation hazards at these sites and to clean up the contaminated areas found at these sites. (Action Environnement - Lettre d'information 2001, No. 3)

The organization has produced the following documentary (in French):

It can be obtained from: Puy-de-Dôme Nature Environnement , 19, rue Chabrol, 63200 Riom, France

 

Île-de-France Region

Le Bouchet

Le Bouchet uranium mill (Essonne)

Old uranium mill of Le Bouchet being dismantled

The old uranium mill and uranium processing facility of Le Bouchet (Essonne) near Paris, France, will be decommissioned within 18 months starting Nov. 5, 2001. The mill processed approx. 9500 tonnes of high grade uranium ores between 1946 and 1958, before uranium mills were in operation near the uranium mines. A first decontamination took place in 1971. The uranium mill tailings resulting from the operation were transferred to the tailings deposit of Lavaugrasse near Bessines.
The plant also comprises a thorium processing facility, which, between 1957 and 1971, processed 5400 tonnes of thorium concentrates originating from Madagascar. This resulted in the production of 2892 tonnes of thorium and 935 tonnes of uranium. (Le Parisien, Oct. 29, 2001; Davis 1997)

 

Bourgogne Region

Grury · Gueugnon

Gueugnon (Saône-et-Loire)

-

 

Grury (Saône-et-Loire)

Ground collapse at former La Faye uranium mine, Grury

A collapse of the ground took place today (Apr. 13) above a former uranium mine located in Grury, in the Morvan sector. This site has ceased all activity for several decades and is under the responsibility of the company ORANO. A hole measuring 30 m2 and 15 m deep was noted in a fenced field far from any residential areas. (Préfet de la Saône-et-Loire Apr. 13, 2024)
The mine produced 50.6 t U from underground operations in 1947-1957, and 60.5 t U from open pit operations in 1976-1984. (France 3, Apr. 16, 2024)

A horse was found dead in the hole that opened following the ground collapse in a former uranium mine, in Grury (Saône-et-Loire), in Morvan. (Journal du Centre Apr. 18, 2024)

 

Alsace Region

St Hippolyte

St Hippolyte (Haut Rhin)

-

 

Languedoc-Roussillon Region

Lodève

Lodève uranium mine and mill site (Hérault)

> Aerial View: Google Maps

Solar park project at Las Caoumellas uranium mill tailings

Opposition to construction of solar park project on top of Las Caoumellas uranium mill tailings deposit: The local NGO Arrêt du Nucléaire 34 (ADN34) and the independent radiation laboratory CRIIRAD oppose plans to build a solar park on top of the Las Caoumellas uranium mill tailings deposit. According to a prefectoral decree of Feb. 16, 2004, any interference with the integrity of the deposit is forbidden. (CRIIRAD Dec. 9, 2021)

Public inquiry into solar park project at Las Caoumellas uranium mill tailings: A solar park is planned on top of the uranium mill tailings deposit at Las Caoumellas, situated in the communities of Soumont and Le Bosc. A public inquiry on the project was held from July 1 to August 3, 2021.
> Download related documents (Hérault - in French)

 

Motor racing circuit planned on former Lodève uranium mine and mill site in France

At a meeting on July 11, 2001, the local government decided to invest 5.5 million francs (US$ 700,000) on studies about the viability of a project of car racing tracks on the former site of COGEMA at Lodève (Hérault). This sum is to be equally matched by funds raised by the French motor sport association.
On the site there are 4.1 million tonnes of uranium mill tailings. (Midi Libre July 12, 2001)

 

Rhône-Alpes Region

St-Priest-la-Prugne

St-Priest-la-Prugne Uranium Mill Tailings (Loire)

> Aerial View: Google Maps

Orano presents project to replace water cover on St-Priest-la-Prugne uranium mill tailings with rock

Already mentioned in the past, the path currently being explored consists of replacing the liquid cover with a solid cover. A solution deemed "permanent". The tailings would be covered by rocky materials then topsoil. A technically very delicate operation. The first stages would be carried out in particular underwater to ensure the continuity of radiological protection, after which the large basin could be drained.
This project "in the study and reflection phase" could take, if all the lights turned green, 6 to 7 years and cost between 20 and 30 million euros. (Le Pays June 27, 2024)
> View Information - Projet Bois Noirs Limouzat (Orano - in French)

Orano's project to replace water cover on St-Priest-la-Prugne uranium mill tailings with rock meets opposition from environmentalists

After repeated overruns of contaminated water from the 18-hectare St-Priest-la-Prugne tailings dam, Orano plans to replace the 2-meter water cover (the only one of its kind in France) over the 1.4 million cubic meters of uranium mill tailings with a rock cover. However, this plan is meeting opposition from environmentalists.
Arlette Maussan, spokesperson for the Collectif Bois noirs (CBN), who has been monitoring the site for decades, insists in particular on the preparation of "a serious hydrogeological study" first. Bruno Chareyron of the independent radiation laboratory CRIIRAD rather demands the complete relocation of the tailings to a safer place, the cost of which have been estimated by Orano at EUR 1 billion in 2018. (AFP Dec. 2, 2022)

Orano sees no need for further reclamation work at former Bois Noirs-Limouzat uranium mine site

"[...] these new results confirm the previous conclusions as to the absence of current radiological marking linked to the activity of the BNL [Bois Noirs-Limouzat] mine, but also the low mobility of U and 226Ra from historical radiological marking located at depth over a few centimeters within the sediments of Lake St-Clément. Finally, these results confirm the absence of any risk of radiological exposure. This is why, given the stability over time of the phases carrying U and 226Ra without disturbing the sediments, it is recommended to leave weakly radiolabeled sediments in place, or to avoid their reworking beyond 50 cm in depth. The displacement of labeled sediments is an operation involving a high risk of remobilization of radionuclides. These recommendations do not take into account the high concentrations of metals resulting from the polymetallic marking from the Charrier mine."
> Download: Relation entre les flux rejetés par le site de Bois Noirs-Limouzat et l'accumulation de sédiments marqués dans le lac de Saint-Clément / Rapport final , Orano, Jan. 3, 2022 (842kB PDF)

Overflow from water-covered St-Priest-la-Prugne uranium mill tailings dam ran into river, again

[...] in 2019, the water treatment station [at the water-covered St-Priest-la-Prugne uranium mill tailings dam] was modernized by Orano, with in particular the installation of an automation of all the processes and, for the water of the large basin, of an innovative treatment by filtration on zeolites. [...] "In addition, as part of the reinforcement work, a new spillway was put in place. The treatment results are excellent, being nearly 99% effective for radium," the company said.
Except that according to Arlette Maussan [of Collectif des Bois Noirs], "this new station, commissioned in 2020, suffered malfunctions from the start of 2021: when the snow melted, it did not have the capacity to treat the volumes of water in the large basin. The contaminated water has taken the same path as in previous years: directly into the river, downstream from the site ..." [...]
Orano does not deny that "following an accumulation of several factors, the waters of the large basin overflowed into the natural environment from February 1 to February 12, 2021. [...] despite this overflow, the quality of the water complies with the prefectural decree in force. There is no significant impact on the natural environment downstream from the site. [...]"
(If Saint-Etienne Aug. 18, 2021)

Overflowing water from St-Priest-la-Prugne uranium mill tailings dam runs into river untreated

Video footage captured by the independent radiation laboratory CRIIRAD and the local group Collectif des Bois Noirs on March 19, 2018, shows that the overflow from the water cover of the tailings runs into the Besbre river untreated. The overflowing water should be treated before release, but this obviously no longer is the case. (CRIIRAD Apr. 12, 2018)

Radiation levels at reclaimed uranium mine site still up to 10 times background in Loire

Monitoring performed by the group collectif des Bois Noirs reveiled gamma radiation levels up to 10 times background measured at ground level on a local road recently reclaimed by Areva in the town of La Tuillière. (CRIIRAD March 3, 2017)

Radiation levels still ten times background after cleanup of sites contaminated with dispersed waste rock from former uranium mines

Monitoring of a local road at St-Priest-la-Prugne performed on Oct. 9, 2016, after completion of the cleanup work done by Areva showed that external dose rates still are more than ten times background. The local group Collectif des Bois Noirs and the independent radiation laboratory CRIIRAD demand an improvement of the cleanup work in order to achieve background levels.
> Download CRIIRAD release Oct. 12, 2016 (323kB PDF - in French)

French Nuclear Safety Authority denounces Areva for decision to withdraw reclamation project for former Bois Noirs - Limouzat uranium mine site (Loire)

"[...] the ASN is worried about Areva's decision to withdraw its reclamation project for the Bois Noirs - Limouzat site. This position appears to translate into a more general disengagement of the company from matters related to 'old mining sites'.
The ASN believes that the management of old uranium mining sites must remain a priority and that Areva needs to dedicate the necessary means to it." (ASN Avis nº 2016-AV-0254)
> View: ASN release April 6, 2016 (in French)
> Download Avis nº 2016-AV-0254 de l'Autorité de sûreté nucléaire du 9 février 2016 sur les études relatives à l'évaluation de l'impact des résidus miniers d'uranium et à la gestion des anciens sites miniers d'uranium remises en application du plan national de gestion des matières et des déchets radioactifs 2013-2015, en vue de l'élaboration du plan national de gestion des matières et des déchets radioactifs 2016-2018

Cleanup at former St-Priest-la-Prugne uranium mine still uncomplete (Loire, France)

On July 2, 2008, the independent radiation monitoring group CRIIRAD released the results of a monitoring campaign performed in 2006-2007. According to CRIIRAD, the radiation monitoring conducted and the access restrictions to contaminated properties provided by Areva are inadequate; there still exist several contaminated properties that have never been cleaned up; residual contamination can still be found on properties that have been cleaned up by Areva; the treatment of the mine water before release is inadequate; and, questions remain on the long-term safety of the 1.3 million t of tailings deposited on site, which are still stored in a dam and covered by nothing than water.

> View details (CRIIRAD, in French)

Authorities trying to locate disseminated material from former St-Priest-la-Prugne uranium mine (Loire, France)

4200 households in the Bois Noir area in the Allier and Loire departments in central France have received a questionnaire asking questions such as: "Do you own minerals from the uranium mine?", "Do you know ways, foundations of buildings, or terrain where material from the mine has been used?", "Is your home concerned?"
With this operation, authorities are trying to get hold of radioactive material that has been extracted from the former St-Priest-la-Prugne uranium mine. The mine had been in operation from 1960 to 1980, and since then material from the mine had been disseminated in the neighbouring area - with the consent of the then site owner (CEA and COGEMA). In Spring 2003, Cogema had to remove 8000 cubic meters of contaminated material, which had been used for the foundations of a sawmill.
The current recovery operation is the result of an eight-year struggle of the Collectif des Bois Noirs raising the awareness on the hazards from the old uranium mine. (Le Figaro Feb. 4, 2004)

> Download Information notice with questionnaire · Questionnaire only (PDF, DRIRE Rhône-Alpes, in French)
> Download Summary of radioecological studies performed on the site (24 Oct. 2003) (PDF, DRIRE Rhône-Alpes, in French)

In a Feb. 6, 2004, news release, COGEMA maintains that the material released to residents between 1960 and 1980 was waste rock with only slightly elevated radiation levels - below standards applicable at that time.

Proposal for relocation of St-Priest-la-Prugne Uranium Mill Tailings (Loire, France)

The French nuclear fuel company COGEMA plans to relocate the tailings of its former uranium mill at Saint-Priest-la-Prugne (Dept. Loire, France) to the nearby former open pit.

The existing tailings dam covers an area of 20 hectares and holds 1.3 million tonnes of uranium mill tailings, containing 286 tonnes of uranium and 74.6 TBq of radium-226. The tailings are covered with water and are stored behind a dam of 42 meters height. The dam crosses the valley of the Besbre river, which runs now through a diversion channel.
The open pit has a capacity of only 300,000 cubic meters, and must therefore be enlarged for the relocation project. The whole relocation process will take 7 to 8 years.
A report, prepared in 1993 for the Ministry of Environment, had found that the present tailings dam does not meet the criteria for a safe long-term disposal of the tailings.

This would be the first relocation of an existing uranium mill tailings pile for permanent disposal in Europe. Similar relocation projects were realized at several sites in the United States, already.

The local environmental group Collectif Bois Noirs is raising a number of concerns about the environmental impacts of the relocation project:

Sources:
INFO URANIUM No.82, Sept.-Oct.1996, p.12
La Gazette Nucléaire, No. 153/154, Décembre 1996, p.27-29
Collectif Bois Noirs: Quel avenir pour les Bois Noirs?, Septembre 1996, 19 p.

 

Bretagne Region

General · Prat Mérien · Rosglas

General

Radioactive contamination found in wetland located downstream from former uranium mine in Brittany

"The present study reports the evidence of a radioactive contamination in a wetland located downstream from a former French U mine in Brittany. This situation is demonstrated according to the measurements of gamma dose rates and activity ratios of 238U and 232Th-decay series nuclides, which give the justification regarding the accumulation of significant amounts of 238U, 230Th and 226Ra in this wetland. The dose rate map highlights an increase of radiation level along the former mine water pathway compared to the background value, with a maximum value of 1500nSv.h-1 reached in the wetland. Activities of 238U, 230Th and 226Ra and 232Th/238U ratios measured in surface wetland soils are significantly higher than the geochemical background. 230Th/238U ratios less than unity suggest a preferential accumulation of U in the wetland, compared to its daughter isotopes. Moreover, the loss of 226Ra compared to 230Th raises its higher mobility compared to its parent isotope. In far-field sediments, 226Ra/238U ratio of 1.76 implies a different geochemical behavior of U, which could be explained by the occurrence of mobile U species. The results suggest that contamination of wetland soils and far-field sediments could result from discharges of underground mine waters."

An evidence of chemically and physically mediated migration of 238U and its daughter isotopes in the vicinity of a former uranium mine, by Mangeret A, Blanchart P, Alcalde G, et al., in: Journal of Environmental Radioactivity Vol. 195, December 2018, p.67-71

 

Prat Mérien uranium mine (Morbihan)

Areva selects site of former Prat Mérien uranium mine for disposal of waste rock with excessive radiation levels from 19 sites in Morbihan department, Brittany: As part of remediation efforts for the former uranium mining sites in Brittany, the State has asked AREVA to repatriate waste rock reused in former mining sites. The former open pit mine in Prat Mérien, in the municipality of Persquen, has been chosen as a reception site.
At the request of the municipal council, a public meeting was held in Persquen on June 8, 2016 to present the project to the inhabitants and answer their questions. These works will be supervised by a prefectoral decree of the mining police. This decree will specify the modalities of work to take environment and populations into account. The file is being examined by the DREAL Bretagne. (DREAL Bretagne Nov. 28, 2016)
[The relocation will add up to 10,000 cubic metres of waste rock to the 160,000 cubic metres already disposed at the Prat Mérien site.]

> Download: Porter à connaissance dans le cadre d'opérations de transfert et stockage de stériles miniers sur le site de Prat Mérien, Commune de Persquen (Morbihan 56) , Areva Mines, Mars 2016 (3.1MB PDF - in French)

 

Rosglas uranium mine (Morbihan)

Elevated radiation levels found at former Rosglas uranium mine site: The Rosglas uranium mine in Bretagne was in operation from 1964 to 1975. It produced a total of 115 t of uranium from open pit and underground mining. Monitoring of external radiation undertaken in April and May 2008 under surveillance of the independent laboratory CRIIRAD showed elevated external radiation levels at various locations, in particular at waste rock deposits.

> Download: Analyses radiologiques de solides dans le secteur de l’ancienne mine d’uranium de Rosglas (Morbihan), Note CRIIRAD N°08-119, 20 Juillet 2008 (1M PDF - in French)

 

Pays de la Loire Region

General · Beaurepaire · l'Écarpière · Pen ar Ran

General

Inventory of uranium mine waste rock in Pays-de-la-Loire region

Uranium mine waste rock found on camping ground leads to considerable gamma dose rates: Areva's stocktaking of the whereabouts of waste rock from the former uranium mines in the Pays-de-la-Loire region has shown gamma dose rates up to more than 20 times background on the Parc-du-Guibel camping ground in the community of Piriac-sur-Mer (Loire Atlantique). While the background is 70 nSv/h, the dose rate on the camping ground showed an average of 430 nSv/h, with a maximum of 1490 nSv/h. For an occupancy of 2000 hours per year, Areva determines an annual dose of 0.83 mSv/a for the average and of 3.37 mSv/a for the maximum spot. The dose rates thus exceed the 0.6 mSv/a limit used for the consideration of remedial action.
On July 9, 2014, the independent radiation laboratory CRIIRAD alerted the prefect of the Loire-Atlantique department and the regional health authority to the lack of remedial action. CRIIRAD further criticizes the missing consideration of beta radiation and the missing measurements for gamma radiation directly on the ground, which might be 30 times or more higher than those actually performed at 1 metre above ground.
> View/Download: waste rock inventory results (DREAL - in French)
> View CRIIRAD information (in French)

 

Beaurepaire uranium mine (Vendée)

Solar park on site of former Beaurepaire uranium mine (Vendée)

Located on a former uranium mine in the town of Beaurepaire, this 12.8 MW photovoltaic power plant is made up of around 29,000 panels and will locally produce 14.4 GWh per year. EDF Renouvelables has won the project during the latest solar tender from the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE). (EDF Renouvelables Nov. 13, 2020)

 

Pen ar Ran uranium mine (Loire Atlantique)

Radiation levels at reclaimed uranium mine site still up to 50 times background in Loire Atlantique

Monitoring performed by the group CAP Radioactivité on the Guérande peninsula reveiled gamma radiation levels 30 times background measured at ground level on a local road in the town of Guérande and 50 times background measured at ground level on a parking lot located on the site of a former uranium mine [Pen ar Ran] at Piriac-sur-mer. These sites had recently been reclaimed by Areva. (CRIIRAD March 3, 2017)

 

l'Écarpière uranium mines and mill (Loire-Atlantique)

Water and sediment still contaminated at former l'Écarpière uranium mine site

The samples taken by [independent radiation monitoring laboratory] CRIIRAD in 2022 show the persistence of significant contamination downstream of the former Le Tail uranium mine site near l'Écarpière, in the waters and sediments of a spawning ground as well as on the bank of the Moine River.
The uranium content of the water analyzed, 166 µg/l, is 40 times higher than that of the Moine River upstream of the site (4 µg/l).
The sediments contain 4,000 Becquerels of uranium-238 per kilogram of dry matter (Bq/kg dry), to be compared with the values measured by the operator in the sediments of La Moine (from 30 to 40 Bq/kg dry upstream to 60 to 100 Bq/kg dry downstream). This situation is shocking: spawning grounds, breeding grounds for fish and amphibians, are essential to the good ecological state of waterways. The Tail spawning ground is known to the authorities since it appears in the inventory of Loire-Atlantique spawning grounds.
Downstream of the discharge into La Moine from the site's treatment station, the contamination concerns not only the land on the banks, as noted by CRIIRAD in 2015, but also sediments, the activity of which is such that they can be considered as radioactive waste of the LL-LL [low level - long lived] category (total activity greater than 200,000 Bq/kg). They have high concentrations of radioactive substances that are particularly radiotoxic by ingestion such as lead-210 and/or by inhalation such as thorium-230. These materials should be stored on a dedicated site.
These results raise the question of the relevance of the methodology used by ORANO for environmental monitoring, as well as the confinement of the site's waste, while the operator plans to withdraw from part of it. (CRIIRAD Feb. 6, 2023)

 

Solar park on site of former l'Écarpière uranium mill (Loire-Atlantique)

Opposition to construction of solar park on top of l'Écarpière uranium mill tailings deposit: The local NGO Moine et Sèvre pour l'Avenir , and the independent radiation laboratory CRIIRAD have voiced their opposition to the construction of a new solar park at the l'Écarpière site, since the foundations of part of the panels could damage the cover of the tailings deposit.
(CRIIRAD Dec. 9, 2021)

Public inquiry into new solar park at site of former l'Écarpière uranium mill: A new solar park is planned at the site of the former l'Écarpière uranium mill. The panels will have an installed power of 14.4 MW and are to cover a surface area of 17 hectares.
Submit comments by June 4, 2021.
> Download related documents (Loire-Atlantique - in French)

Fire at solar park on site of former l'Écarpière uranium mill: A fire started around 2 p.m. on Tuesday, August 4, 2020 in the park of photovoltaic panels at the l'Écarpière site. The flames then spread to the vegetation, destroying an area of 11 hectares. There are no injuries. (Ouest France Aug. 4, 2020)

On August 4, 2020, the park experienced a fire. A short circuit in the solar panels led to a fire that destroyed approximately 25 hectares of grassland and brush, 400 meters of the pipeline carrying water to the treatment plant, and 1,500 meters of security fence. The fire was facilitated by the lack of maintenance of the site's vegetation: brambles overgrew some of the panels, and some of the land under and near the panels was visibly unmaintained with dry, tall grass. This episode also points to a monitoring problem: it was only during the inspection after the fire that the authorities noticed the lack of maintenance of the site.
As a result of the fire, the water treatment plant (which usually lowers the concentration of radioactive elements in the mine water before it is released into the Moine River) was shut down for 13 days. (CRIIRAD Dec. 9, 2021)

Construction begins of solar park on site of former l'Écarpière uranium mill: Construction work began in April on a 3.7 MW solar park at the site of the former l'Écarpière uranium mill at Gétigné, near Nantes in western France. 30,000 solar modules are being installed on an area of 12 hectares on a plateau. The plant is scheduled to be fully operational in summer 2014. (juwi/pv magazine June 5, 2014)

 

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