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The News That Matters about the Nuclear Industry Fukushima Chernobyl Mayak Three Mile Island Atomic Testing Radiation Isotope

Doubts about independence of Japan’s nuclear regulator – another setback for restart of nukes

Leak stalls Japan’s nuclear return BY:RICK WALLACE, TOKYO CORRESPONDENT :The Australian  February 06, 2013  JAPAN’s attempts to boost its economy by restarting nuclear plants have suffered a setback with its new regulatory body under fire over leaks to a power company and a criminal negligence probe into the Fukushima disaster gathering momentum.

The removal of an official at the Nuclear Regulation Authority for leaking a draft report on the Tsuruga nuclear plant has cast further doubt on its independence. Tetsuo Nayuki, 54, director-general for nuclear regulation policy, received an official reprimand last month and was transferred to the science ministry after news of the leak emerged….(subscribers only)  http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/leak-stalls-japans-nuclear-return/story-e6frg6so-1226571126055

February 7, 2013 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

Aboriginal elder saves priceless Koongarra from uranium minng

Aboriginal elder spurns million dollar offer from uranium miners http://www.mining.com/aboriginal-elder-spurns-millions-of-dollars-from-uranium-miners-58963/Marc Howe | February 6, 2013 An elder from the Djok aboriginal community has hailed a move by the federal government to prevent the mining of uranium on his ancestral lands.

On Wednesday the federal government introduced a bill to incorporate 1228 hectares of the Koongarra, the traditional land of the Djok people, into the Kakadu National Park, thus preventing efforts by uranium mines to develop the area’s resources.

Jeffrey Lee, an elder of the Djok people, welcomed the decision after fighting for over three decades to prevent uranium extraction in the area, as well as spurning million dollar offers from miners.

Koongarra

“I have said no to uranium mining at Koongarra because I believe that the land and my cultural beliefs are more important than mining and money,” said Mr. Lee.

A French company reportedly offered Mr. Lee $5 million to withdrawn his opposition to uranium development plans.

Although Koongarra lies within the Kakadu area, a ruling in 1979 prevented its inclusion in the park, in order to leave open the possibility of development of its uranium resources, estimated to stand at around 14,000 tonnes.

Former Prime Minister Bob Hawke as well as Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke joined Mr. Lee to make the announcement as well as hail the government’s decision.

February 7, 2013 Posted by | AUSTRALIA, indigenous issues | Leave a comment

New USA defence secretary Hagel supports reduction in nuclear arms

Hagel supports nuclear weapons reduction , Ahramonline,  Chuck Hagel,
nominated to be President Obama’s next defence secretary, supports
‘Global Zero’ movement on nuclear disarmament Bassem Aly , 6 Feb 2013
Former Republican senator Chuck Hagel will likely be the first
American defence secretary, if approved, to back the so-called “Global
Zero” movement that supports reducing the number of US nuclear
weapons.

Global Zero members believe that stopping the spread of nuclear
weapons, securing all nuclear materials and eliminating all nuclear
weapons is the only way to end the nuclear threat, including
proliferation and nuclear “terrorism.”

The movement, joined by almost 300 world leaders and more than 400,000
citizens worldwide, was launched in Paris in December 2008.

Hagel had previously co-authored with other public figures the 2012
Global Zero U.S. Nuclear Policy Commission Report  that outlined a
step-by-step plan to eliminate nuclear weapons, involving bilateral
negotiations with Russia to be followed by other key countries…..
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/9/64167/World/International/Hagel-supports-nuclear-weapons-reduction-.aspx

February 7, 2013 Posted by | USA, weapons and war | 1 Comment

Greenland now up for uranium grabbing?

Thanks To Global Warming, Everyone Wants To Mine Greenland’s Uranium Deposit
Business Insider, Rob Wile | Feb. 6, 2013  “……Denmark’s Politiken via Presseurop reports that thanks to global warming, Greenland’s icy surface is melting away, and many believe it’s too poor to refuse the opportunity. The country sits on top of the fifth-largest uranium deposit in the world….. The plan has Irked some environmentalists. And technically, the Danish parliament would still have to approve a final decision.

But a majority in the Danish parliament is prepared for the first time to repeal Denmark’s nominal zero-tolerance policy on the radioactive metal, according to Euractiv.

……  http://www.businessinsider.com/race-for-greenland-uranium-deposits-2013-2#ixzz2KFWg91ok

February 7, 2013 Posted by | business and costs, EUROPE | Leave a comment

Niger gets a poor deal from AREVA’s uranium mining

areva-medusa1In Niger, New Disputes Over French Uranium Extraction International Business Times, 6 Feb 13, “....no wonder Paris sent its own special security forces to Niger this week to protect a French-operated uranium mine there.

But mineral resources have long been a touchy subject in Niger, and the extra security has generated some controversy as to whether foreign investors have dealt a fair hand to the country’s 16 million people.

“Uranium is really a crucial point of contention,” said Leonardo A. Villalón, an associate professor at the University of Florida and expert on the Sahel, the band of semi-arid land just south of the Sahara Desert. “The notion of exactly who benefits from the resource is the central question of political economy in Niger.”….. President Mahamadou Issoufou suggested on Sunday that Nigeriens are getting the short end of the stick…..

The exact details regarding Areva’s current dealings with Niger are murky. …. Areva did not respond to requests for comment regarding its current agreement with the Nigerien administration….. http://www.ibtimes.com/niger-new-disputes-over-french-uranium-extraction-1064546

February 7, 2013 Posted by | Niger, politics international | Leave a comment

Nuclear power “solution” to global warming creates bigger problems

The danger of relying on nuclear power plants http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/readersrespond/bs-ed-nuclear-power-20130206,0,4009253.story  Gwen L. DuBois February 6, 2013   Norman Meadow’s commentary promoting nuclear power over wind energy as a solution to climate change leaves out serious unsolved problems that wind does not present (“Nuclear blows away wind,” Feb. 1).

Huge piles of highly radioactive waste are sitting all over the world in vulnerable spent fuel pools lacking containment structures or backup generators. The Japanese government was considering an evacuation of Tokyo in the event of an explosion at one.

As we expand our reliance on nuclear power, we also expand this Achilles heel of the nuclear industry. Fukushima led to hot spots of radioactivity as far as 158 miles away. While Mr. Meadow talks of exaggerated fears of small doses of radiation from accidents, would anyone choose to raise their children in an area contaminated by radioactive cesium with a half-life of 30 years?

Recently 28 of 442 exported food samples tested by the Food and Drug Administration were found to be contaminated. Chernobyl may have led to as many as 900,000 deaths worldwide.

Decades ago, a Sandia National Labs report for Congress estimated tens of thousands of deaths would occur from a worst-case nuclear accident, which would also be costly and chill the expansion of nuclear power plants. Three Mile Island, a formerNuclear Regulatory Commission member said, “taught Wall Street that a group of NRC-licensed reactor operators, as good as any other, could turn a $2 billion asset into a $1 billion cleanup job in about 90 minutes.”

Mr. Meadow’s goal of a carbon-free society is correct. In addition to wind, we need solar; we need smart grid and infrastructure and we need greater efficiency. We need lifestyle changes leading to less energy use.

We can get to zero this way, and nuclear can be a transitional source of energy while we are gearing up renewable energy sources. But what we don’t need are more nuclear wastes, more nuclear accidents, more dirty mining of uranium or more sources of weapons-grade uranium and plutonium waiting to be stolen and used against us.

February 7, 2013 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

Yes, France is fighting in Mali on behalf of AREVA’s uranium mines

areva-medusa1France protects Niger uranium mine BBC News, 4 Feb 13, Niger has confirmed that French special forces are protecting one of the country’s biggest uranium mines. President Mahamadou Issoufou told French media that security was being tightened at the Arlit mine after the recent hostage crisis in Algeria. French company Areva plays a major part in mining in Niger – the world’s fifth-largest producer of uranium.

Islamist militants kidnapped five French workers from the mine in Arlit three years ago. Four of them are still being held – along with three other French hostages – and it is believed they could be in the north of Mali close to where French troops are battling al-Qaeda-linked militants.

Asked if he could confirm that French special forces were guarding the uranium mine, President Issoufou told channel TV5: “Absolutely I can confirm. ”We decided, especially in light of what happened in Algeria… not to take risks and strengthen the protection of mining sites,” he added.

France’s Agence France-Presse news agency said a dozen French special forces reservists were strengthening security at the site.Areva gets much of its uranium from the two mines it operates in the country, at Arlit and Imouraren… http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-21318043

February 5, 2013 Posted by | France, Mali, Uranium, weapons and war | Leave a comment

Nuclear waste area has suspicious cluster of cancers and birth defects

see-this.way

Cancer cluster map of St. Louis http://www.ksdk.com/news/article/358520/3/Cancer-map-may-show-enormous-St-Louis-cluster–

 

cancer_cellsTV: “Staggering number of cancers, illnesses, and birth defects” linked to nuclear waste? Over 700 cases found in only four square miles — “There’s something very wrong” (VIDEO) http://enenews.com/tv-staggering-number-cancers-illnesses-birth-defects-linked-nuclear-waste-700-cases-found-only-4-sq-miles-video
   February 1st, 2013
Title: Cancer cluster map of St. Louis
Source: KSDK
Author:  Leisa Zigman
Date: Feb 1, 2013
h/t Anonymous tip

Transcript Excerpts

Anchor: There are radioactive secrets beneath the banks and waters of a north St. Louis County creek that may be linked to a staggering number of cancers, illnesses and birth defects. In four square miles, there are three reported cases of conjoined twins and cancer rates that one data expert says is statistically impossible. […]

Source: KSDK (See .pdf: Illnesses Linked to Manhattan Project Waste CHART)
Janell Wright, class of ’88 McCluer North High School, Accountant and former auditor: “There’s something very wrong.” […]

Leisa Zigman, Reporter: At first she found 30 cases. Within two months, she had data on 200 cases. Now, her maps have more than 700 cases in four square miles […]

Wright: “The children usually came down with brain cancer in the first 15 years of life, in addition, leukemia. In my peer group’s children, there were several children who had to have their thyroid removed before they were 10-years-old.”

Zigman: In the 1940s, Mallinckrodt Chemical Works in downtown St. Louis purified thousands of tons of uranium to make the first atomic bombs. […] 21 acres of airport land became a dumping site where a toxic mixture of uranium, thorium, and radium sat uncovered or in barrels. In the 60s, government documents noted contents from the rusting barrels were seeping into nearby Coldwater Creek. And by the 90s, the government confirmed unsafe levels of radioactive materials in the water. […]
Watch the video here

February 5, 2013 Posted by | health, Resources -audiovicual, USA | 1 Comment

Centrica gets out of UK’s uneconomic new nuclear power project

thumbs-downCentrica pulls out of project to build new UK nuclear plants and launches £500m share buy-back Centrica has scrapped plans to take part in the building of new UK nuclear reactors, blaming spiralling costs and delays, and has launched a £500m share buy-back.Telegraph UK,  By Emily Gosden 04 Feb 2013

The British Gas owner had an option to take a 20pc stake in an EDF-led project flag-UKto build nuclear reactors at Hinkley Point in Somerset and Sizewell in Suffolk. It capped months of speculation to announce its withdrawal on Monday morning. “Since our initial investment, the anticipated project costs in new nuclear have increased and the construction timetable has extended by a number of years,” Centrica chief executive Sam Laidlaw said.
“These factors, in particular the lengthening time frame for a return on the capital invested in a project of this scale, have led us to conclude that participation is not right for Centrica and our shareholders.”…. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/energy/9846895/Centrica-pulls-out-of-project-to-build-new-UK-nuclear-plants-and-launches-500m-share-buy-back.html

February 5, 2013 Posted by | business and costs, UK | Leave a comment

Precious groundwater now threatened by fracking for uranium, too

When it comes to fracking for yellowcake, even more pressing than shaky economics is the obvious potential for environmental contamination. The process is not only extremely water intensive, as is typical of fracking, but it’s also happening at a shallow depth. Unlike the Eagle Ford’s oil and gas reserves, which are miles underground, the in situ uranium mining is taking place at the same level as local groundwater supplies.

In-Situ-Leaching

Fracking for Yellowcake: The Next Frontier? http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeffrey-rubin/fracking-for-yellowcake-t_b_2612418.html Jeffrey Rubin  02/04/2013 It works for oil and natural gas, so why not frack for uranium too? After all, America relies on foreign uranium just like it depends on foreign oil.

In the U.S. these days, it seems like you can sell almost anything if you spin it as part of the pursuit of energy independence. Enter Uranium Energy Corp. A junior mining company with Canadian roots, UEC is developing the newest uranium mine in the U.S. And it’s counting on fracking to do it.

Texans, in general, are no strangers to fracking. UEC is operating in the heart of fracking country, south Texas’s Eagle Ford basin, one of the most prolific shale plays in the country. Instead of oil and gas, though, UEC (recently profiled by Forbes Magazine) is fracking for yellowcake.

The technology is basically the same. It involves injecting a mixture of highly pressurized water and sand into an underground formation in order to break open fissures in the rock that allow the energy riches within to be extracted. In this case, it’s a slurry of uranium ore that’s then dried and processed into powdery yellowcake, an intermediate product that eventually becomes fuel for nuclear reactors.

Of course, the very idea of fracking for yellowcake begs the question–just because you can do something, should you? The world isn’t exactly running short of uranium. Prices tell you that much. Uranium prices have plunged from more than $90 a ton before the last recession to just more than $40 a ton following the Fukushima disaster. Friendly countries like Canada and Australia are able to ramp up supply, as can less friendly countries like Kazakhstan. Yellowcake is also exported by Niger (part of the reason, according to some, that nuclear-powered France is taking such an interest in neighbouring Mali right now.)

What’s more, the emergence of cheap natural gas from shale plays is making nuclear energy less attractive to U.S. power utilities. Many are considering shuttering some high cost nuclear stations and switching to cheaper natural gas, just as they’ve been doing with a number of coal plants in recent years.

When it comes to fracking for yellowcake, even more pressing than shaky economics is the obvious potential for environmental contamination. The process is not only extremely water intensive, as is typical of fracking, but it’s also happening at a shallow depth. Unlike the Eagle Ford’s oil and gas reserves, which are miles underground, the in situ uranium mining is taking place at the same level as local groundwater supplies.

According to the International Energy Agency, the amount of fresh water used for global energy production will double over the next twenty-five years. Whether it’s Alberta’s oil sands that run on water from the Athabasca River or the countless gallons used to frack underground stores of oil, gas and now even uranium, it’s easy to see why.

February 5, 2013 Posted by | Reference, technology, Uranium, water | Leave a comment

Even Australia might fight for its uranium companies Paladin and Rio Tinto

exclamation-What have interested Australian companies, or the Australian government, done to address these concerns?…….

 what should we make of Australian Defence Force chief General David Hurley’s alarming indication that there might be a role for the ADF in protecting “Australian interests” in Africa?

flag-AustraliaMultinational miners: magnanimous or malevolent? Kellie Tranter – lawyer and Humna Rights Activist, FEBRUARY 1, 2013 BY    “……..Malawi “…….Minister Carr praised the work of Australian mining company Paladin, referring to its strong corporate social responsibility.  Paladin operates Malawi’s biggest uranium mine, the Kayelekera.

In June 2008, The Bench Marks Foundation released a report ‘Corporate Social Responsibility and the Mining Sector in Southern Africa’ which suggested that when Paladin struck its deal with the Malawi government to mine uranium, it was agreed that it would get a 100% capital write off, a reduction in corporate tax from 30% to 27.5% and a scrapping of the 10% resource rent tax.  Paladin was also to be exempt from the standard 17.5% import VAT or duty and a royalty rate reduced from 5% to 1.5% in the first three years and 3% thereafter.

Now Malawi’s opposition party, the People’s Transformation Movement (PETRA), have given the Malawi Government a 14 day ultimatum to explain why the Kayelekera deal cannot be renegotiated.  However, there are reports that the agreement with the previous government (of late President Mutharika, a former World Bank economist) includes a clause that the government will not take any action that will seriously change the financial aspects of the project for the period of 10 years. Residents are also concerned that the Malawi Government retains only a 15% equity in Paladin (Africa) Limited (PAL) a subsidiary of Paladin and has given “breathing space” on taxes for 10 years. Continue reading →

February 5, 2013 Posted by | AUSTRALIA, politics international | Leave a comment

Anti – uranium protestors stop train

protestANTI-NUCLEAR PROTESTERS STOP TRAIN NEAR URANIUM PLANT Waste Management
World, 4 Feb 13, A group of anti-nuclear protesters affiliated with
the Idle No More movement stopped a train in the Davenport area on
Sunday after their demonstration against a nearby uranium facility
migrated onto CP Rail tracks.

“The plan is to shut it down, and do whatever it takes to shut it
down,” said organizer Zach Ruiter, standing beside the tracks with an
Idle No More flag and a placard hanging from his neck that read: “Just
say no to radioactive waste.”

The GE-Hitachi plant on Lansdowne St. near Dupont St. caused an uproar
in November when the surrounding community learned the facility in
their midst had been processing uranium dioxide powder into pellets
since 1965…….
http://www.waste-management-world.com/news/2013/02/04/anti-nuclear-protesters-stop-train-near-uranium-plant.html

February 4, 2013 Posted by | opposition to nuclear, USA | Leave a comment

VIDEO: France’s war for uranium and other resources in Mali

see-this.way(Video) Niger uranium plays key role in France’s Mali war: Douglas Degroot Press TV 4 Feb 13, An analyst says maintaining access to the vast uranium resources in Mali’s eastern neighbor Niger, the world’s fifth-largest producer of uranium, has played a key role in the French-led war on Mali.
The comment comes as Thousands of people in Mali have been forced to flee their homes amid the French war, which involved some 3,500 troops on the ground supported by warplanes, helicopters and armored vehicles. 

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said more than 5,000 Malian refugees have arrived in Mauritania alone since January 11, when France launched the war under the pretext of halting the advance of the fighters in the African country.

Analysts believe behind the military campaign are Mali’s untapped resources, including oil, gold, as well as the uranium in the region.

Press TV has conducted an interview with Douglas Degroot in Leesburg with the Executive Intelligence Review weekly magazine. A rough transcription of the interview follows. …….

The initial thing it seems to be trying to preserve their access to the uranium in Niger and that’s why they are trying to get Niger and Mali stabilized whether they can even do that of course is also a question ….http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/02/04/287299/niger-uranium-plays-key-role-in-mali-war/

February 4, 2013 Posted by | Resources -audiovicual | Leave a comment

North Korea- a new nuclear test creates new problems

Another nuclear test will make it impossible for the new South Korean government or the second Obama administration to look for resolution of long-standing enmities by focusing on issues beyond the nuclear dispute.

What to Expect from a North Korean Nuclear Test, Foreign Policy, Pyongyang is about to make some more trouble. Here’s what to look for when Kim Jong Un debuts his new bomb. BY SIEGFRIED S. HECKER | FEBRUARY 4, 2013 Pyongyang lashed out harshly at the United States following the most recent U.N. Security Council resolution condemning its December missile test. The Kim Jong Un regime threatened to increase its nuclear deterrent both quantitatively and qualitatively and vowed to conduct a third nuclear test at a “higher level.” So what might we expect from another test? Why, what, how will we know, when, and what difference will it make?Kim-Jong-un-NK

 First, why test? Without additional nuclear tests, North Korea is greatly limited in its ability to miniaturize a nuclear device to fit on one of its missiles. Continue reading →

February 4, 2013 Posted by | North Korea, weapons and war | 1 Comment

Ashurst to cull up to 50 partners in Australia?

How can Paladin Mining afford to sue a small website, using the services of an even poorer Ashursts Australia?

Maybe because the money is coming from somewhere else perhaps? I am gathering data that links WPP group of companies with Ashursts.. For instance, Ahursts have a department in Japan since 2002. they work with industrial and other corporations in matters of litigation and other legal matters.. one company they work with in Japan is Dentsu, who are owned by WPP. Dentsu have been implicated in the most horrendous cover ups concerning the contamination of Japan by the Fukushima Daichi disaster.

The Daichi nuclear disaster has been covered extensively on this blog (nuclear-news.net).

However Paladin do have things they want kept quiet, such as the use of Australian taxpayer money to use as part of their PR campaign to win hearts and minds in Africa.

So is the Australian government footing the bill for these legal actions against the Australian press and bloggers? aided by the worlds biggest conglomorate of PR and Media companies?

And there is the UK connection too!

WPP who are implicated in Tax fraud and deception, have returned to the UK since 2011 owing to even better tax evasion conditions. Ashursts are a UK firm and London is the centre for mining corporations and transactions.  An important customer base for WPP who help to manage the bad image and failing economies of these businesses.

The UK is also the centre for Nuclear research and development and supports biased science that proports to claim that there are no effects of note from nuclear accidents.

The advertising money lobbying power of these corporations were even able to mostly tame the Guardian newspaper.. This was after a successful nuclear promotion that began in the early 2000`s. And this catapulted the nuclear futures and mining of uranium profits to new levels!!

Then Fukushima Daichi happened.

Now I believe that part of the war on resources is to buy or steal all the uranium mining areas of the globe and then to restrict the uranium mining to push the price up to a level that does not cause such a loss. At the moment china has other direct sources of uranium but they are disappearing and china has no uranium deposits of note, though it does have a monopoly on some other metals etc

The war on resources is NOT being peacefully negotiated, it is being fought for!

The legal, media and governmental agencies are all promoting their versions of reality to the public to limit any public backlash to these corporate and governmental crimes,

One point to note. Why shut down a small blog when so many others are allowed to get away with so much more? Is the CEO of a broke Ashurst really being paid by a broke Paladin? or is there something more?

i am currently having problems with the internet/computer etc and will post links relevant to and in support the above statement when i can use more than 1 browser window at a time?? 😦

Also, i can not post articles easily though i will try.. in the meantime, for posterity i will leave you with this very recent article concerning the very broke Ashurst Australia..

17 hours to post this article.. LOL! I luv windows XP ! cant use facebook either as it keeps jamming the computer,, ?? does david icke and alex jones have these problems??? not bleedin` likely mate!! ?? !! ?? i will let you decide what that is all about how are they still in operation as real news bloggers are crucified by the legal and security apparatus..FOOD FOR THOUGHT PERHAPS????

Thank you Christina for keeping us all informed.. Nuclear is a dead duck!! its obvious to any fool!

My heart goes out to the front line staff at Ashursts Australia! and I mean that! you were doing your jobs as specified and you got shat on! In the middle of a Global financial reccesion. If you are feeling bitter about this, there IS something you can do! Email;

arclight1132011-lemmingbites@yahoo.co.uk

Be careful to not leave a trail that goes back to you andIi will deal with any information by placing it on a server in ICELAND!! Land of Freedom of speech and protected servers.

Arclight2011 (aka sean)

The net profit for Ashurst’s non-Australian practice grew by just over 5 per cent in 2011-12 to £112 million ($170 million) derived from revenue of £322 million.

However, it is understood that ­current equity partner drawings for Australia are “through the floor”.

It means the profit gap between the Australian business and its inter­national counterpart could be much bigger than forecast when merger talks began in late 2011

Claire Stewart

Axe aimed at Ashurst partners

PUBLISHED: 01 Feb 2013

Major law firm Ashurst is secretly planning to cull up to 50 of its 189 partners in Australia in an attempt by local management to make profit margins more attractive ahead of an upcoming vote for a financial tie-up with the global operation.

Sources close to the firm say the cuts could be a “bloodbath” and are concerned it may have disastrous consequences for the future of the domestic practice.

Continue reading →

February 3, 2013 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

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