DOCSLIB.ORG

FS 015 Niger Uranium

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
FS 015 Niger Uranium January 16, 2015 - Page 1 EJOLT The radiological impact of uranium extraction Fact sheet by AREVA in northern Niger 15 The project Nuclear Energy / Uranium Mining The companies Societe des Mines de l'air (SOMAÏR) and Compagnie Minière d'Akouta (COMINAK) are mining uranium deposits in northern Niger, in a Keywords desert area close to the Air Mountains, Uranium Mines near the towns of Arlit and Akokan. Uranium Mills The two mining companies are AREVA AREVA subsidiaries. In 2001, 63.4 percent of AREVA shares were SOMAIR capital, CRIIRAD discovered radioactive scrap metal COMINAK from the uranium mines was being sold on and 34 percent was owned by SOMAÏR the market in Arlit streets COMINAK. The remaining 2.6 percent of Source: CRIIRAD, December 2003 Arlit shares were divided among the Niger National Office of Mining Resources Anxious about the adverse effects of Niger (ONAREM), and in the case of uranium extraction on humans and COMINAK, a Japanese company, the animals, Aghir in’Man’s President M. Overseas Uranium Resources Almoustapha Alcahen contacted the Development (OURD) and Enusa, a Commission for Independent Research Spanish company. and Information about Radiation (CRIIRAD) in 2002. CRIIRAD is a Established in 1968, SOMAÏR continues French NGO whose goal is to improve to extract uranium from open pits, which people’s access to information on and are typically 70 metres (230 feet) in protection from ionising radiation from all depth, and operates a uranium mill with sources (natural, medical, nuclear). an annual (maximum) capacity of 2,300 CRIIRAD has been studying the impact tons. of uranium mines in France since 1992. COMINAK was created in 1974. It still In cooperation with Aghir in’Man, operates an underground mine for CRIIRAD conducted a scientific mission uranium extraction at a depth of about to Arlit in December 2003. This mission 250 metres (820 feet), and a uranium was organized with Sherpa, a French mill with an annual (maximum) capacity NGO of lawyers willing to protect the of 2,500 tons. rights of people confronted with powerful international companies. By 2008, both companies had produced more than 100,000 tons of uranium. CRIIRAD continues to cooperate with Aghir in’Man to gather independent The conflict information on the impact of mining activities. Other groups, such as In 2002, local non-governmental Greenpeace also conducted an organisation (NGO) Aghir in’Man independent study in Arlit in 2009. (“Shield of the Soul” in the Tamashek language) decided to gather independent scientific information about the impact of the mines. Members of the NGO reside in the towns where the uranium mines operate (COMINAK mines in Akokan, and SOMAÏR mines in Arlit), and many of them are mine workers, including Aghir in’Man’s President Mr Almoustapha Alcahen. Among the objectives of the NGO are to promote education, women rights, and the protection of health and the environment. January 16, 2015 - Page 2 Radioactive tailings (from COMINAK uranium mills) stored out in the open Photo by CRIIRAD, December 2003 Impacts of the project above natural levels. Radioactive scrap from the mines Studies by CRIIRAD showed that the and mills was sold on the markets. radiological impact of mining activities CRIIRAD discovered for instance, a was observable in many areas of the pipe with a radioactive crust that had environment: radium-226 activity of more than The amount of radioactive 200,000 Bq/kg and a dose rate 10 substances in the water distributed to times above natural levels. A computer and radon monitoring devices being the workers and local residents by offered by CRIIRAD Laboratory the companies exceeded World These facts all show that the workers Manager Bruno Chareyron to Health Organization (WHO) and the local population are exposed to Aghir in’Man President M. standards. radiation through different pathways Almoustapha Alcahen (external irradiation, internal irradiation Source: CRIIRAD, December Radioactive ore from the mines and 2003 through contaminated air and water, radioactive waste from the mills were etc.). The “very low doses” of radiation stored out in the open (over 35 people receive continuously have million tons of tailings). The emitted negative consequences on their health. radioactive gas (radon) and dust from these materials can easily be Outcome of the conflict dispersed by the wind. Due to high concentrations of AREVA has always claimed that it was radioactive gas (radon) in the open extracting uranium in Niger in air, people in some parts of Akokan compliance with all national and were receiving an annual dose in international standards and regulations. People in Arlit using recycled excess of the maximal annual dose However, when faced with facts and metal for their homes limit of 1 millisievert per year. scientific evidence that confirmed the Source: CRIIRAD, December radiological impact of the uranium mines 2003 The level of radiation in some streets on the environment, and the subsequent was abnormally high due to the re- exposure of the population to radiation, use of radioactive waste rocks from AREVA had to make certain the mines. The level of gamma improvements. radiation on the street in front of the COMINAK private hospital in Akokan, For example, the contaminated cloths for instance, was about 100 times workers used at the uranium mine and This document should be cited as: Chareyron, B., 2014. The radiological impact of uranium extraction near Arlit and Akokan in Niger, EJOLT Factsheet No 15, 3. p January 16, 2015 - Page 3 mill are now washed at the mining facilities and not at home. More on this case Website: www.criirad.org The most contaminated wells used for supplying drinking water have been Video: Uranium, Poisoned closed so that less radioactive water is Heritage by Dominique Hennequin used for drinking. Nonetheless, independent studies conducted in CRIIRAD Laboratory Manager November 2009 showed that the Bruno Chareyron showing uranium content in tap water was still References Aghir in’Man President M. above WHO standards. Almoustapha Alcahen how to CRIIRAD Report No. 03-40 / use a small Geiger Muller Waste rocks on some streets in Arlit and Report of mission to Arlit, 3-11 counter to check the level of December 2003 / Exploratory ground radiation. Akokan have been removed by the Source: CRIIRAD, December companies. A house built with mission in order to produce an 2003 radioactive material has been destroyed independent evaluation of the and a new one built. Still, all radioactive radiological impact of the SOMAIR places have not yet been investigated and COMINAK uranium mines / B and decontaminated. Chareyron, 19 December 2003. CRIIRAD Report No. 05-17 / Some radioactive scrap available in the Impact of uranium mining by the public domain has been returned to the subsidiaries of COGEMA-AREVA mine, but all of the radioactive material in Niger / Results of the analyses reused by the locals has yet to be checked. conducted by the CRIIRAD laboratory in 2004 and early 2005 / B Chareyron, April 2005. Children in the suburbs of Arlit Presently, much remains to be done, but stepping on radioactive waste the existence of a local NGO such as Source: CRIIRAD, December CRIIRAD Note No. 07-53 / 2003 Aghir in’Man, supported by an Presence of radioactive material in independent scientific institution like the public domain at Arlit and CRIIRAD, empowers the population in Akokan (Niger), close to the mines the struggle to secure improved of SOMAIR and COMINAK environmental protection. However, the (AREVA) / B. Chareyron, May fight for more environmental justice will 2007. no doubt be a long-term endeavour. CRIIRAD press release / AREVA in Niger / CRIIRAD and AGHIR IN MAN call for the immediate removal of the radioactive waste discovered in the streets of Akokan This publication was developed as in Niger, and question Mme a part of the project Environmental Lauvergeon, president of AREVA, Justice Organisations, Liabilities and Trade (EJOLT) (FP7-Science about the practices of her group’s in Society-2010-1, under grant subsidiaries / 15 May 2007. agreement no 266642). The views and opinions expressed in all CRIIRAD Note No. 08-02 / EJOLT publications reflect the AREVA: From rhetoric to reality / authors’ view and the European Union is not liable for any use that The example of uranium mines in may be made of the information Niger / B Chareyron, 30 January contained therein. EJOLT aims to 2008. improve policy responses to and support collaborative research CRIIRAD Report No. 10-09 / and action on environmental conflicts through capacity building Remarks on the radiological of environmental justice groups situation in the vicinity of the around the world. Visit our free uranium mines operated by resource library and database at SOMAIR and COMINAK in www.ejolt.org or Facebook (www.facebook.com/ejolt) or Northern Niger / Study conducted follow tweets (@EnvJustice) to on behalf of Greenpeace stay current on latest news and International / B. Chareyron, 12 events. February 2010. .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • + 2020 Annual Information Form
    Denison Mines Corp. 2020 Annual Information Form March 26, 2021 ABOUT THIS ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM This annual information form (“AIF”) is dated March 26, Table of Contents 2021. Unless stated otherwise, all of the information in this AIF is stated as at December 31, 2020. About this AIF .................................... 1 About Denison ................................... 6 This AIF has been prepared in accordance with Canadian Developments over the Last Three securities laws and contains information regarding Years ................................................. 8 Denison’s history, business, mineral reserves and The Uranium Industry ........................ 17 resources, the regulatory environment in which Denison Mineral Resources and Reserves 24 does business, the risks that Denison faces and other Mineral Properties ............................. 27 important information for Shareholders. Athabasca Exploration: Sampling, Analysis and Data Verification ........... 102 This AIF incorporates by reference: Denison Operations ........................... 107 Manager of UPC ................................ 111 Denison’s management discussion and analysis (“MD&A”) for the year ended December 31, 2020, Denison Closed Mines Group ........... 112 Environmental, Health, Safety and Denison’s audited consolidated financial Sustainability Matters ........................ 112 statements for the year ended December 31, 2020, Government Regulation .................... 114 Risk Factors ...................................... 120 both of which
    [Show full text]
  • Mining Company of Akouta (COMINAK), Akouta, Agadez II 111 I II III 111 Lllllll Mining Society of Air (SOMAIR), Arlit, Agadez XA0055932 Niger
    IAEA-SM-362/37 WASTE MANAGEMENT IN URANIUM COMPANIES OF NIGER Mining Company of Akouta (COMINAK), Akouta, Agadez II 111 I II III 111 lllllll Mining Society of Air (SOMAIR), Arlit, Agadez XA0055932 Niger Two companies produce uranium (yellow cake) in Niger: the "Societe des Mines de l'Ai'r (SOMAIR)" and the "Compagnie Miniere d'Akouta (COMINAK)". SOMAIR exploits uranium an open pit mining whereas COMINAK exploits an underground mining. The uranium ores with a grade of 0.25%U to 0.5%U [1] are treated by SOMAIR and COMINAK mills since 1971 and 1978 respectively. During the uranium recovery processing the principal following inputs are used: uranium ores, sulphuric acid (75 kg/t to 80 kg/5), nitric acid (10 kg/t recycled), sodium oxidant (2.5 kg/t) and water (150 l/t) [2]. The main chain of mining and milling is the following: Mining • Crushing • Leaching —• Solid-Liquid separation —*• Solvent extraction —• Uranium recovery —• Tailings management. The wastes produced (from mining and milling) can be classified as liquid wastes and solid wastes. The first one (liquid wastes) is of two kinds: wastewater and other liquid effluents. The wastewater is decanted for reuse in mills (COMINAK uses 16 basins with 4m of depth on an area of 44 ha to treat 3.4 millions mVyear [3]). Other liquid effluents are stored in basins of evaporation (COMINAK which has produced a volume of 2.18 millions m3 used 11 basins with 4 m of depth on an area of 65 ha against 10 ha for SOMAIR [3])- The solid wastes are barren overburden, low grade uranium ore and tailings mill.
    [Show full text]
  • Overview of Key Livelihood Activities in Northern Niger
    Research Paper November 2018 Overview of Key Livelihood Activities in Northern Niger Rida LYAMMOURI RP-18/08 1 2 Overview of Key Livelihood Activities in Northern Niger RIDA LYAMMOURI 3 About OCP Policy Center The OCP Policy Center is a Moroccan policy-oriented think tank based in Rabat, Morocco, striving to promote knowledge sharing and to contribute to an enriched reflection on key economic and international relations issues. By offering a southern perspective on major regional and global strategic challenges facing developing and emerging countries, the OCP Policy Center aims to provide a meaningful policy-making contribution through its four research programs: Agriculture, Environment and Food Security, Economic and Social Development, Commodity Economics and Finance, Geopolitics and International Relations. On this basis, we are actively engaged in public policy analysis and consultation while promoting international cooperation for the development of countries in the southern hemisphere. In this regard, the OCP Policy Center aims to be an incubator of ideas and a source of forward thinking for proposed actions on public policies within emerging economies, and more broadly for all stakeholders engaged in the national and regional growth and development process. For this purpose, the Think Tank relies on independent research and a solid network of internal and external leading research fellows. One of the objectives of the OCP Policy Center is to support and sustain the emergence of wider Atlantic Dialogues and cooperation on strategic regional and global issues. Aware that achieving these goals also require the development and improvement of Human capital, we are committed through our Policy School to effectively participate in strengthening national and continental capacities, and to enhance the understanding of topics from related research areas.
    [Show full text]
  • Environmental Activities in Uranium Mining and Milling
    Nuclear Development Environmental Activities in Uranium Mining and Milling A Joint NEA/IAEAReport NUCLEAR•ENERGY•AGENCY OECD, 1999. Software: 1987-1996, Acrobat is a trademark of ADOBE. All rights reserved. OECD grants you the right to use one copy of this Program for your personal use only. Unauthorised reproduction, lending, hiring, transmission or distribution of any data or software is prohibited. You must treat the Program and associated materials and any elements thereof like any other copyrighted material. All requests should be made to: Head of Publications Service, OECD Publications Service, 2, rue AndrÂe-Pascal, 75775 Paris Cedex 16, France. ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVITIES IN URANIUM MINING AND MILLING A JOINT REPORT BY THE OECD NUCLEAR ENERGY AGENCY AND THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY NUCLEAR ENERGY AGENCY ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT Pursuant to Article 1 of the Convention signed in Paris on 14th December 1960, and which came into force on 30th September 1961, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) shall promote policies designed: ± to achieve the highest sustainable economic growth and employment and a rising standard of living in Member countries, while maintaining ®nancial stability, and thus to contribute to the development of the world economy; ± to contribute to sound economic expansion in Member as well as non-member countries in the process of economic development; and ± to contribute to the expansion of world trade on a multilateral, non-discriminatory basis in accordance with international obligations. The original Member countries of the OECD are Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States.
    [Show full text]
  • COGEMA's EMPLOYMENT and TRAINING POLICY for ITS FOREIGN SUBSIDIARIES
    IAEA-SM-362/12 COGEMA's EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING POLICY FOR ITS FOREIGN SUBSIDIARIES A. HAMANI SOMAIR, Societe des Mines de I1 Air, COGEMA, France XA0055908 (Address: BP 12910, Niamey, Niger) 1. NIGER: REPLACEMENT OF FOREIGN STAFF BY NIGER NATIONALS IN SOMAIR AND COMINAK The Niger uranium deposits are located in the centre of the African continent, on the southern fringes of the Sahara desert. The ore is extracted through openpit mining or underground mines and is processed on the spot. With an output of 3000 tonnes of uranium per year. Niger accounts for 10% of world production and is the third world producer, after Canada and Australia. 1) At the creation of Somai'r in 1968 and Cominak in 1978, the employment of Niger nationals was a challenge in a country where there was a critical lack of supervisory staff with training and experience in the field of the mining industry. 2) This challenge was taken up by both the companies SomaYr (Societe des Mines de I'Air) and Cominak (Compagnie Miniere d'Akouta) and by the government of Niger. The political support for the process of replacing foreign staff by Niger nationals was found to be of primordial importance and gave the process a strong impulse. 3) To make the process possible, it was necessary to set in place specially-adapted means of scheduling and managing the human resources within the two mining companies. 4) The means of managing the human resources were designed with a view to maintaining and improving the technical performance of SomaYr and Cominak.
    [Show full text]
  • Uranium Giant Niger Is One of the Poorest Countries on Earth. It Wants More from France’S Areva
    NIGER Uranium giant Niger is one of the poorest countries on earth. It wants more from France’s Areva. Atomic split BY DANIEL FLYNN AND GEERT DE CLERCQ HEAP LEACHING: Uranium ore is extracted with sulphuric acid at Areva’s Somair mine in Arlit. REUTERS/JOE PENNEY SPECIAL REPORT 1 AREVA IN NIGER ARLIT, NIGER/PARIS, FEBRUARY 5 , 2014 hen France began mining ura- nium ore in the desert of north- Wern Niger in the early 1970s, Arlit was a cluster of miners’ huts stranded between the sun-blasted rocks of the Air mountains and the sands of the Sahara. The 1973 OPEC oil embargo changed that. France embraced nuclear power to free itself from reliance on foreign oil and overnight this remote corner of Africa be- came crucial to its national interests. Arlit has grown into a sprawling settle- ment of 117,000 people, while France now depends on nuclear power for three-quar- ters of its electricity, making it more reliant on uranium than any country on earth. WAY FORWARD: A sign points the way to Imouraren, where Areva is developing a mine due to Niger has become the world’s fourth- open in 2015. REUTERS/JOE PENNEY largest producer of the ore after Kazakhstan, Canada and Australia. But uranium has not enriched Niger. to cut the tax breaks and raise the royalty The former French colony remains one of rate – its largest source of income from the the poorest countries on earth. More than mines – to as much as 12 percent. 60 percent of its 17 million people survive €9.3billion That would be more than the 5 percent on less than $1 a day.
    [Show full text]
  • Potential Use of Radioactively Contaminated Mining Materials in the Construction of Residential Homes from Open Pit Uranium Mines in Gabon and Niger
    DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR EXTERNAL POLICIES OF THE UNION DIRECTORATE B POLICY DEPARTMENT STUDY POTENTIAL USE OF RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED MINING MATERIALS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF RESIDENTIAL HOMES FROM OPEN PIT URANIUM MINES IN GABON AND NIGER Abstract Reports on the negative health and environmental effects of open pit uranium mining activities by European companies in Gabon and Niger have prompted a media and public critical reaction. This study looks at mining practices in two pits in these countries. Available secondary sources are thoroughly reviewed and complemented with a field visit to Gabon despite the technical and practical difficulty of reaching the areas where the activity takes place. The assessment indicates that substantial problems and negligence exist in both countries with respect to the operation of the uranium mines, the safety of mines and local citizens. It also criticises a lack of transparency regarding company's data on radioactive pollution and, in one case, claims that radioactive materials have been used for construction and that water sources and soil around the mining villages have been affected. EXPO/B/DEVE/FWC/2009-01/Lot05-07 November/ 2010 PE 433.662 EN Policy Department DG External Policies This study was requested by the European Parliament's Committee on Committee on Development. AUTHOR(S): VEIT, Sebastian, Senior Economist SREBOTNJAK, Tanja, PhD Ecologic Institute, Germany ADMINISTRATOR RESPONSIBLE: CAPRILE, Anna Directorate-General for External Policies of the Union Policy Department WIB 06 M 075
    [Show full text]
  • Actual Uranium Exploration and Mining Activities in Niger
    ACTUAL URANIUM EXPLORATION AND MINING ACTIVITIES IN NIGER PRESENTED By MAMANE KACHE MINING ENGINEER HEAD, DIVISION OF MINING OPERATIONS AND CADASTRE International Symposium on Uranium Raw Material for the Nuclear Fuel Cycle : Exploration, Mining, Production, Supply and Demand, Economics and Environmental Issues Vienna, 23 – 27 June 2014 Outline • Introduction …………………………………………….3 • Background information ……………………………….4 • Historical Uranium Prospection and Mining Activities …………………………………………………………….6 • Actual Uranium Exploration and Mining Activities …8 • Mining Cadastral Map …………………………………13 • Conclusion ………………………………………………..17 Introduction Niger is among the first African Country which started mining uranium (more than 40 years of experience). Uranium was known as a strategic mineral different from the other minerals till 1993. In 1993, the Niger Government adopted an ordinance in which uranium is considered as an ordinary mineral like others. In 2006, the Niger Government adopted a mining law in which the diversification of partners are allowed. Many exploration companies were interested in uranium exploration and mining till 2011. Now, few mining companies are interested in uranium exploration and mining because of its low price. Background information: Location Coat of arm Flag Map of Niger Map of Africa Background information (Cont.) . Republic of Niger . Capital: Niamey . Official language: French . Land area: 1,267,000 km 2 . Population: more than 17 millions of people (2012) . Mining Industry: a crucial piece of the Economy (40% of exports). Uranium represent 70% of national export Historical Uranium Prospection and Mining Activities • The search for uranium in Niger began in the 60s and its mining in the 70s. • As given the drop in uranium prices in the 80s, these activities decreased significantly.
    [Show full text]
  • Orano December 31, 2020
    CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Orano December 31, 2020 Consolidated statement of income December December (in millions of euros) Notes 31, 2020 31, 2019 REVENUE 3,684 3,787 Cost of sales (3,100) (2,991) GROSS MARGIN 584 796 Research and development expense (104) (101) Marketing and sales expense (36) (39) General expense (112) (112) Other operating income 5 235 107 Other operating expense 5 (227) (183) OPERATING INCOME 340 468 Share in net income of joint ventures and associates 14 15 (19) Operating income after share in net income of joint ventures and 355 449 associates Financial income from cash and cash equivalents 19 24 Financial interest on debt 7 (163) (222) Cost of net debt (144) (198) Other financial income 310 865 Other financial expense (487) (627) Other financial income and expense 7 (177) 238 NET FINANCIAL INCOME (EXPENSE) (321) 40 Income tax 8 (54) (36) NET INCOME FOR THE PERIOD (20) 452 NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO OWNERS OF THE PARENT (70) 408 NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NON-CONTROLLING 50 44 INTERESTS Orano consolidated financial statements, December 31, 2020 2 Comprehensive income December December (in millions of euros) Notes 31, 2020 31, 2019 Net income (20) 452 Other items not recyclable to the statement of income (50) (57) Actuarial gains and losses on employee benefits (50) (54) 0 1 Income tax related to non-recyclable items Share in other non-recyclable items from joint ventures and 0 (4) associates, net of tax Other items recyclable to the statement of income (17) 75 Currency translation adjustments (185) 73 175
    [Show full text]
  • The Akouta Underground Uranium Mine, Niger: a Review of Operations
    資源地質，63(2), 81 ～ 90, 2013 現場担当者会議講演論文 The Akouta Underground Uranium Mine, Niger: A Review of Operations Philippe CROISY*, Hiroyasu MURAOKA* and Tomio HAMAI* Abstract: The Akouta mine, the largest underground uranium mine in the world, is located in the Tim Mersoi sedimen- tary basin, a well-known uranium province in northern Niger. Two mines in the province, the Arlit mine since 1971 and the Akouta mine since 1978, provided the entire uranium production of Niger until 2011, when operations started at a third mine, Azelik. To date, more than 120,000 tU has been produced from the province. In the Tim Mersoi basin, the uranium deposits are sandstone hosted and largely tabular with local roll front structures (Akouta). The deposits were formed by complex interaction between tectonic, lithologic and paleogeographic factors. They occur from surface to a depth of 250 m and the grade is relatively low, between 0.1% and 0.6% U. The Carbon- iferous formations of the Guezouman (Akouta) and Tarat (Arlit), the Jurassic formation of the Tchirezrine (Imouraren deposit) or the Cretaceous formation of the Assouas (Azelik deposit) host the ore bodies. At Akouta, the deposit lies 250 m deep at the base of the Guezouman sandstone. The mineralization is 1 m to 15 m thick and nearly flat-lying, with an average grade of 0.4% U. The mining method is room and pillar with conventional drilling and blasting equipment. With this method, the miners are in direct contact with low-grade ore and suitable ventilation measures are utilized to reduce the risk of radiation exposure.
    [Show full text]
  • Uranium Mining Sites
    Arlit & Akokan, Niger Uranium mining sites Niger, a country with one of the world’s lowest ranks on the Human Development Index, is also the world’s third largest producer of uranium. Uranium is the raw material need- ed for nuclear fuel, as well as nuclear warheads. The downside of this lucrative busi- ness: In mining cities like Arlit and Akokan, independent researchers have found in- creased cancer rates as a result of radioactive tailings and dust from uranium mining. History Africa’s highest grade uranium ore comes from the twin mining towns of Arlit and Akokan on the border of the Sahara desert. Mining in Arlit began in 1971. Three years later, operations were expanded to the nearby town of Akokan. Today, Akokan boasts the largest un- derground uranium mine in the world and Niger sup- plies around 7.5 % of world uranium. By 2006, cumu- Outlook lative uranium output from Niger exceeded 100,000 Dismissing the evident health effects of uranium min- tons – 56 % from underground and 44 % from open- ing, the government of Niger has plans to open new pit mines. Mining operations are mainly carried out by mining sites around the country, with companies like the French company AREVA, which for the past 40 AREVA, the Chinese SinoU, Korea’s EPC, Japan’s years has mined Niger’s uranium almost exclusively OURD and Spain’s Enusa vying for new concessions. for French nuclear power plants and nuclear weapons. Places like Imouraren, Abokorum, Madouela, Agadez Half of AREVA‘s total uranium production comes from and Azelik have already been earmarked for explora- Niger.
    [Show full text]
  • URANIUM in AFRICA: Current Situation, Prospects & Challenges
    URANIUM IN AFRICA: Current Situation, Prospects & Challenges by Gabi Schneider, Namibian Uranium Institute Promoting the Namibian Uranium Brand CURRENT SITUATION Current Production: Namibia Exploration: Niger Algeria South Africa Botswana Central African Republic Past Production: Guinea DRC Equatorial Guinea Gabon Mali Malawi Mauritania Morocco Nigeria Tanzania Zambia Zimbabwe Africa has considerable mineral deposits, including uranium Exploration and mine development is proceeding in countries which have not hitherto supplied uranium Gabon has been a significant uranium supplier in the past Source: WNA Promoting the Namibian Uranium Brand CURRENT SITUATION 2019 Production 2019 Consumption Other 16.5% Other USA Niger 5.6% Kazakhstan 26.8% 28.1% Namibia 10.2% 42.5% Korea 6.7% Australia China Russia 15.1% 12.3% Canada France 9.3% 12.9% 14.0% The other 16.5 % are produced by The other 26.8 % are consumed Russia, Uzbekistan, China, USA, mainly by Belgium, Canada, Finland, Ukraine, South Africa (0.6%), India, Germany, India, Japan, Spain, and Pakistan Sweden, Ukraine, and the UK Promoting the Namibian Uranium Brand CURRENT SITUATION Source: WNA Promoting the Namibian Uranium Brand NAMIBIA Namibia has significant uranium mines capable of providing 10% of world mining output Its first commercial uranium mine began operating in 1976 Deposit Type Resources Measured & Indicated Inferred Rössing Alaskite 239 926 tU in 0.02% ore 26 154 tU in 0.02% ore Husab Alaskite 143 740 tU in 0.048% ore 40 130 tU in 0.04% ore Langer Heinrich Calcrete 34
    [Show full text]